Extraction

Wednesday is the day!
It has certainly been along hard road. Thank you to everyone who has been supportive!

8 Comments

Question...

by Chesca - 2008-10-11 11:10:41

Catch me up.
Did you get a replacement done?

I am new to this site and have to get a replacement done - new PM and new leads, so I am interested in your posting.

Thanks!

Hi Chesca

by joy1 - 2008-10-12 02:10:10

Welcome to our family of friends. :-) This is a wonderful site to get support and information. Sadly, for most people they don't find this place till after they have their implants. Some find us before and so are able to better understand what is happening and what questions to ask to get the answers they want.

The best way to get you caught up is to recommend you check my bio out. It will give you the background information.

I am not getting a replacement. I am getting my device completely out, generator and leads. Like in Iron Man, I will put the device in a glass box. I should have never had the device put in. I cold never have been used effectively and has only caused more damage than good. But that's my case. Most people who get their devices need them (I did) and they have minimal problems with them and their quality of life goes up. I just wasn't a good candidate.

You have a PM and those are alot different than ICDs. As long as your physician is competent you shouldn't have any problems. The generator replacement is nothing, alot easier than the initial implant. The leas, since you have a PM haven't any coils so they are a straight wire. If you are having a laser extraction (which I would not recommend any other way). They make another incision up higher in the shoulder and try to create as straight of line as possible, put the laser sheath over the wire, one at a time, slid it down the wire and genitally pull on the wire. If everything goes right both leads are removed without incident. As long as you haven't any infection they will re-implant at the same time. I am told I will be kept overnight and as long as there are no complications, be released the next day. fini

I wish you the best on your replacement. Don't hesitate to ask questions or discuss whatever you need to. Family sometimes have a vested interested in you so are not able to listen and talk with, without leaning toward their own agenda.

joy

Joy...

by Pookie - 2008-10-12 02:10:38

excellent news for you.!!

keep us posted.

Pookie

joy

by jessie - 2008-10-12 11:10:15

i will be thinking of you on wednesday. i hope all goes well for you. please let us know how you are doing and good luck with your plans jessie

Joy..

by turboz24 - 2008-10-12 12:10:36

Joy, I hope to someday be as lucky as you and be fortunately enough to have my ICD removed and gone for good.

Lead extraction

by maryanne - 2008-10-13 08:10:54

Joy...you are the lady I want to speak with. I am having all of my hardwware taken out November 5th. Like you I have read at nauseum about lead extractions.

In my discussion with the surgeon he informs me that he does not anticipate any problems taking out my PM or one of my leads as those two have only been in since 2006, it's the other two leads one 1984 the other 1991 that he thinks might be more challenging. Once all is out they will leave everthing out for a few days and put me on antibiotics(he assumes I have an infection) . After a few days they will give me a whole new unit in a different spot. If I have a raging infection(which I don't think I do) but if I do then I will have a PICC line inserted and be on antibiotics for a month. I have been told that there is a possibility for open heart because of my old leads(and yes he will be performing it exactly as you mentioned)and increased complicaitons. So I am taking a deep breath and believing all will go well.

As for you I believe things will go well...and I look forward to your post on how it all went.....please keep us updated.

cheers, Mary Anne

Tomorrow is Wednesday

by Chesca - 2008-10-14 10:10:05

Good luck!!!

Thanks Joy.

by Chesca - 2008-10-14 10:10:31

Thanks for all of your information. It really is helpful when I am full of fear from the prior surgeries.

Good for you for getting it out. Guess we can't call you the Bionic Women anymore...unless you enter the Ironman competition :-)

Why did you get an ICD in to begin with? Are you an athlete by chance?

I haven't read your bio, but I will. Thanks again.

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

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