Are leads always stitched to a muscle?

Hi, it's me again! Sorry for so many questions and I really appreciate the advice I am getting on this forum.

I found out 8 days ago that I needed a PM after having worn a heart monitor for 6 days and being diagnosed with SSS. My surgery was 3 days ago. Between being told I needed a PM and getting it fitted, I researched alot and thought I had a good idea what to expect but I didnt read anywhere about the leads being stitched into a muscle in the chest, nor did my doctor tell me about this until I said during the surgery that what he was doing was quite uncomfortable.

Is it normal for the leads to be stitched to a muscle?

Thanks.
Claire xx

8 Comments

Why

by Peg541 - 2012-05-11 10:05:55

Why does this disturb you? A lead being stitched onto a muscle. It seems this would make the lead more stable and less likely to pull out.
Really I am just interested to know. I thank the heavens every day for my pacemaker and if they had stitched it to my nose it would not have made a difference to me as long as it did the job.
Please don't think I am criticizing. I am curious.
Peg

pain

by ClaireT - 2012-05-12 06:05:15

Hi Peg, don't worry, I didn't take your query badly :) I only asked because I am so uncomfortable when using the chest muscles for any slight movement that it seems to me to be due to the stitches in the muscle.
I am sure it will be the best thing in the long run but just a little fed up of the pain at the moment.
I called the Cardiology ward today to discuss the swelling along the incision and they told me to go to A&E and the dr there said he thinks it is new tissue my body is making (because the swelling is so hard and there is no sign of infection) and it should slowly go away - I hope it does cos I don't want to be left with a lumpy scar!


OK

by Peg541 - 2012-05-13 01:05:04

Remember you are just post op a few days. The doctor had to literally dig a pocket under your skin or muscle to put that pacer in. That's going to hurt for a good while.

Like when you put spices under the skin of a chicken, that sort of digging.

Try to not think about it for a while. I too have a hard couple of bumps over my incision but gosh those are my war wounds. I don't really care what they are because my pacer is working fine and I feel like a million bucks.

I also never touch it if I can avoid it. People fool around with the pacer and screw things up. I keep my hands and my mind off of it. I recently started swimming, 3 months after my first pacer and I find I have pain in the site and back in my shoulder. I Imagine it's early for me to expect everything is healed so if in three months I am not pain free remember that. You will be soon enough.

Hope so anyway.

Peg

Bra

by Peg541 - 2012-05-13 01:05:12

I wore a bra home from the hospital. I stuffed a wash cloth over the incision. Give it a try.

For Elle

by Peg541 - 2012-05-13 01:05:18

Elle my girls are very small and not tugging on my pacer at all. Plus I am an amazon at 5'9" 169 lbs. But if you are a large breasted woman you need some support because your breasts are pulling on the pocket I described in the post above.
Plus like I said you are only hours after your implant. It will be UGLY for a while. Right now my scar is red but just lovely. It takes time for that sort of healing.
Leave it alone for a while. Watch for signs of infection but don't expect any. I am sure you were expertly taken care of.
Good luck and keep posting.

A pacemaker is just a bump in the road and in the chest. Try to get used to it and it will improve your life greatly. Focus on it TOO MUCH and you'll never feel right.

Good luck.
Peg

Peg

by elle415 - 2012-05-13 03:05:48

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I've had surgery before and I know it takes time to heal. You are so right. When I think about it, I feel funny. At this point I don't care If I have a scar. I see it as a battle scar and I won because I'm living a much better life and feeling good. I was just curious about that spasming/tugging because I know my girls will always be heavy, and wasn't sure that might be a permanent thing.

Actually, I've been taking pictures daily to keep track of my progress. I noticed my bruising is turning greenish and yellowish as they fade, my incision is dry and I just noticed it's going flatter just a wee bit. I'm really happy about my change in breathing. I figure if I feel like this after 6 days post-op, twelve days will be a lot better. I understand I need to give myself time. But, when you feel like crap, sometimes it feels like it will never end,and impatience sets in. But it passes.

You are not an Amazon lol! When I was growing up, I always wanted to be tall. Still do!!

You give very good advice.

Thank you

Elle

Me Too

by elle415 - 2012-05-13 12:05:44

Claire, I an 6 days post-op from my ICD implant, and I am experiencing the same things as you are. My incision was closed with glue instead of steri-strips, It looks thick, like a gummi worm. I am a light skin black woman, my incision and surrounding area looks raw, bruised, red and swollen. Just awful. I know that will go away,, but like you I am having internal muscle pain. My doctor did tell me that is because part of the unit is stitched to the muscle.

Are there any women out there who have experienced a terrible tugging/ spasming sensation because of the weight of the device PLUS the weight of the breast? The tugging goes right up my neck and feels like a tendon pulling, so I am tending not to want to stand up straight. I am so early post-op I cannot wear a bra. But, my breasts are large and heavy (I'm in the house) and even if I lift the breast, it still feels that way. I've had a lot of surgeries, but none above the waist.

Thanks for any response
Elle

Elle

by ebr877 - 2012-05-14 10:05:22

Elle,

I had my implant 10 days ago and my surgeon actually advised me to wear a bra. Even to bed. Said it would help with the tugging feeling (even though I still have it a little). The bra strap doesn't even go over my scar. Best of luck!

Erin

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