INfections

Hi all

hope all is well with everyone ,I just thought i would let you in on a update some of which you have read about before.As i have said before i have had a breast infection since 2006 anout 2 months after i recieved my PM. Infection was not intolerable and came and went up intil this jan 2009 since then i have had 5 surgeries and byopsies and cultures no one can figure out where the inf is coming from,one nurse said that it is possible there is a tunnel btwn the PM and the breast causing the infection but as of this date no Dr has even considered that the PM is the culprit and i have mentioned many times,Well the last surgery i had was by far the worst he removed 1/2 of my breast tissue and tried a wound vac unfortunatly that did not work the in fection came back along with another abcess so once again i am scheduler for mor surgery on 10/19/09 taking more breast tissue again some of which he said is necrotic. I am wondering if this keeps going there will be nothing left to remove and he will be getting into the area of the PM i suggested a mastectomy but he said he can't do that as long as there is a infection there,This has been quite the night mare with no diagnosis or cause i have also been on antibioticcs for 8 months ,I have a appt with my cardio dr on the 29th gonna talk to him again and i have a PM check on the 2nd of nov hopefully tis will come to a end or possibly they can move the pacemaker to the othr side ,I am at a loss and could use any suggestions possible

Thanks Valerie

3 Comments

My dear....

by Pookie - 2009-10-16 08:10:00

Hi Valerie,

My heart goes out to you. I don't have any answers either, but certainly have you in my thoughts.

Keep your chin up and never give up hope.

Pookie

PM Infection??

by donb - 2009-10-16 08:10:08

I just went back to your past postings and really felt bad with your results of treatment of infection. My 3rd PM was also a Medtronic Enrthym. My pouch got very irritated within the first year it was put in. Also I got the feet dragging as far as infection. We'll keep an eye on it. Well a year of pain & itching and it finally eroded and had to be removed, no questions asked. Alergy tests at the time showed sensitivity to soft plastics such as the lead terminals that attach to the PM generator.

After 2 months without PM they installed New right chest leads & PM St Jude. I was very fortunate NOT to have infection as the numerous Surguries with Antibiotics did the job, Hopefully. From your experience it's scarry. I did have the gut problem from the hospital bug. Finally Vancomycin did the trick. I am completely astounded as to why you've had all this happen. I would have thought a new PM installation right side should have been in order. To this day my Cardiologist won't acknowledge the cause. Of course my restoration of old site was pawned off to another Dr. I will also include you on my Prayer list. Good Luck. DonB

Oh My..

by ecf2xtreme - 2009-10-16 08:10:53

I am so sorry, I don't have any answers for you but I want you to know my heart goes out to you. Hang in there and be strong!

-Ellen

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You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

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