Replaced pacemaker moving and hurts

I am new to this site. I appreciate any advice anyone can give me. I had my first pacemaker exchanged 11 days ago. It seems to be in the wrong place! It is almost in my armpit. The first one was up on my chest, more under my collarbone area. This one has hurt almost non-stop, especially when I move my arm toward the right. (It is on the left side.) It is nearly impossible to sleep. My husband literally turned pale when he saw it. The nurse practitioner who removed the stitches a few days ago works in a different facility nearer my home. At that point, I mentioned the discomfort and she said that "they do them differently" at her facility. I did not realize the discomfort would continue this long. I would like to hear from anybody who has actualy had to have their pacemaker moved over to a new spot. What was the recovery time? Thank you. .

7 Comments

Mine too

by MSPACER - 2010-12-19 07:12:07

I had mine replaced in Feb of this year by a different surgeon and mine has been moving around as well. It sometimes gives me pain too. I know my first pacemaker was stitched down, so it did not move. I enquired to my doctor to find out if she stitched it down, and her answer was no, so now I know why it's moving around. She also told me in her response that the replacement should sit in the pocket, but several of her patients, especially the women have had the same complaint. She thinks that the tissue begins to erode in the pocket, so now she is going to start stitching them down. I was like-oh that's nice. My regular cardio said, unless it is really bothering me, just leave it alone. If it is really bad, then he told me to ask her to look at it and re-do the implant. I'm not going to go through that, so I will just hope that it will last another 7 years or so without having to be moved.

Me too!!!

by Pookie - 2010-12-19 10:12:12

I had my first surgery on November 2 of 2004 for my pacemaker.

Between November 2nd & November 12th I had 3 more surgeries - one to save my life (which is another story) and 2 more surgeries because one of the leads fell twice!!!

My 5th surgery was 5 months later because my pacemaker "migrated" into my armpit. It constantly hurt and was extremely uncomfortable - so I had the surgery to reposition it....back to it's original spot - where you describe - more by your collarbone. In the gallery there are 2 pictures of me showing the placement of mine if you wanna go look...just type my name in and you will get just my pictures instead of scanning through pages & pages of pictures.

The recovery time was much faster. And it wasn't as painful or sore as the very first surgery.

The surgeon who fixed mine, anchored it as the first surgeon did not. Anchoring it simply means they can sew it into place.

Hope this helps
Pookie



Moving pacers

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-20 01:12:32

The strongly recommended procedure in the Medronic instruction manual calls for anchoring the pacer with a suture through a small hole provided for the purpose.

I would see the doc and insist he go back in and finish the job. I know it involves another time of opening the pocket, but the sooner it is done the better. Be prepared for some sort of story as to why he didn't do it.

frank

Unsecured Hardware

by donb - 2010-12-20 06:12:20

Hi, It just ruffles my feathers reading PM implants not being secured. I have been very fortunate in having mine stiched in place, all 4 of them over the 18 years. Maybe my surgeons take one look at me and say, "maybe we better tie his down as he's way too active, he'll have the leads tore also".

I did have a problem after my 3rd PM removal because of erosion. I was sent to a plastic surgeon and he left the excess leads and terminal caps unsecured. Well the caps worked right through. I already had my 4th PM & new leads right chest implant. Before my plastic surgeon did the 2nd restoration I made him clip the old excess leads & remove the bulky terminal caps. He also built up the site and it feels good now. My new right chest is really great, healed up quickly and for some odd reason being right handed, I don't whack the site nearly as much as I always did my left. donb

AND ME why not try this

by maureen.coxsey - 2010-12-20 09:12:26

Hi
Yep me to, I had a new box in September and my surgeon did not put it back in the pouch it had sat in for 13 years.

It now sits almost under my arm, like you at first it hurt and was uncomfortable but that has got better through the day but at night its still painful, its when i lie down, the ache seems to be deep under my PM, its been 31/2 month since I have had a night sleep.

3 days ago my surgeon prescribed anesthetic pads to wear at night, I have to wear them for 12hrs on and then leave it off for 12 hrs, he tells me other patient have had good results, so I am going to keep using them for the next month but I have to say they don't seem to work for me so far, that doesn't mean it wont work for you.
The patch cant go on broken skin, so if you are going to ask for these, do so after you are fully healed.

They are made by GRUNETHAL, they are Lidocaine pads called VERSATIS 5% medicated plaster.

Hope you get it sorted

The bottom line

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-20 11:12:02

If we don't learn at least the basics about our implant the doc is likely to take the easiest way out. Its just human nature. Here are some of the things I checked out with the cardio on my recent implant.

1. Did he plan on using the same pocket for the replacement.
2. Is the replacement any different in size or shape. If so how does he handle it.
3. Do he plan on reusing the existing leads provided they are in good shape. Do they connect directly to the new pacer or do they require an adapter. If an adapter is used does he suture it down?
4. Is he planning on suturing the pacemaker to prevent movement.
5. I would like the replacement to be programmed to the same settings as the old one before I leave the O.R. and be given a copy of the interrogations of both old and new.
6. State my agreement with the anesthesiologist so there is no mistake as to my wishes.

I put a lot of these as questions which helps not challenge his authority. However, I am ready to be firm during the procedure if need be. I find that being reasonable and direct leaves the atmosphere in the OR pleasant and responsive Over time and being in a small town the hospital is getting to know me.

frank

Thank You

by Gail4 - 2010-12-28 05:12:05

Thank you for your helpful comments. I went back to my nurse practitioner (Dr..was not available until 1/10) She was concerned about the swelling and put me on restricted arm use, no lifting, etc. She thinks that when the swelling has gone, the pacemaker will actually be in the correct spot. She said that I had a lot of scar tissue and that my pacemaker was stitched into place. I have to wait for 2 weeks and see how it is. It is still painful. I also am putting a hot water bottle on it, which helps. I am hoping for the best at this point. I am praying it won't have to be repositioned!

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