to the PM experts

hi everyone, I have a question. can the PM move after 2 months? i have the feeling when I sleep on my right side (I have the PM on my right side now) that there was a shift somehow. i had a burning sensation this morning for just a minute or two. it's gone now but I wonder if the PM can move away or around the pocket the doc made. anybody heard of this? is it possible?
you guys are so experienced that you might have come across this.
thanks
veronika

5 Comments

PM Moving

by tcrabtree85 - 2011-02-27 01:02:51

Hi Veronika,
Welcome I haven't met you yet. I have had the problem you're talking about. So, to answer your question yes a pm can move around.
I recommend since you're so fresh from having your pm inserted that you make a visit to your Dr.. My pm moves around but is still in my pocket right now. My previous pm moved around so much that it physically caused a lot of discomfort where I had to have it repositioned it.
I'm more concerned that yours is moving around so soon after having it placed. It maybe that you are just healing still and if it was placed deep into muscle your nerves still can be healing. Though, I recommend you going into your Dr's others may not but knowing for sure thats its in your pocket and not drifting everywhere will reassure you and just to check to make sure it's not doing in harm.
Overall, pm can move and will especially as swelling goes down. The longer you have it the more scar tissue should form around it so it shouldn't move as much. I'm more concerned about your leads than the pm movement so fresh out.
Take care!

Blessings,
Tammy

Not if it is implanted correctly

by ElectricFrank - 2011-02-27 02:02:26

According to the Medtronics implant instructions the pacemaker should be sutured to an appropriate area inside the pocket. There is a small hole in the connector area of the pacer for this purpose. Some cardiologists choose to ignore the instructions and their patients have problems with migrating pacers.

A few years ago I checked with my cardiologist and confirmed that it is standard practice to secure the pacer in the pocket. With all the vigorous activity I engage in I've never had a problem with mine moving. The most that has happened is for it to rear its tail up when I reached across my chest with my left arm. I just pushed it back down..no pain or problem. After a few years it stopped even that movement. My replacement hasn't been any problem at all. I just reached across with my left hand and down over my right shoulder as a test.

I have often thought that some of the docs out there should take up fiction writing. They are sure creative at coming up with stories.

frank

mine moves occasionally

by Hot Heart - 2011-02-27 09:02:33

hi there, sometimes when i sleep on my left side i feel mine move a bit. not caused me any problems though.

HH

Moving PM

by pacergirl - 2011-02-27 09:02:58

Yes my pacemakers have moved. I don't think it is because my dr. ignored the instructions, I think it is because I am a busy woman and it is where it fits in my shoulder area. Kinda like the path of least resistance. I am comfortable with where it has moved and it causes me no problems.

Our bodies are continually changing. Scars are healing, weight is gained or lost, activities change to more or less. All of these things can effect our pacemaker positions.

Some people never have their PM move, but mine do. I do/have discussed it with my dr. and he is fine with where it is if I am not having any problems.

PG

:)

by Pookie - 2011-02-28 08:02:16

Yes, they can move, they can flip, anything is possible. Mine moved into my armpit and I had to have surgery to reposition it....this time I had another surgeon and he "anchored" it down simply by sewing it down like the first surgeon was meant to do.

If you think it has moved significantly and it is bothering you, a quick chest Xray is all you need to confirm things.

Take care,
Pookie

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