ICD migration..

I had my ICD implanted on August 15th, 2016. From the night it was put in to present I have issues with pain. It is an extremely intense burning in my left shoulder and across my chest. There is also still an area from my collar bone, across my chest into my armpit, and down my left bicep that is still numb. My implant has moved several inches and is now poking out of my chest. The Dr has confirmed the movement and the skin thinning out on top of it. The rest of that he says he has never seen or had happen. Tuesday I saw my regular cardio dr who is in the same office as the surgeon he had no idea of the issues I was having and told me that I wasnt the only patient who was having this issue. The other patient is male and at least two times my size indicating that this isnt a body size issue. I am small framed. He said his guess was either it was placed on a bad angle or it was a manufacturer issue. My implant is a boston scientific ICD. The surgeon mentioned having the ICD placed under my muscle and said that it should clear up the issues. Its really been a mess. I cant go on my nightly walks anymore as just the movement of my arm while walking bothers it.I have been unable to return to work since August. I am going crazy!! I am 43 and usually very active. I have two kids still at home and a home to take care of and I cant, Has anyone else had or heard of these things happening?? The surgeon has now written me off and suggested I go to the ED Department at University of Maryland Medical Center and having plastics fix it?? I am so frustrated I sometimes wish I could just rip the damn thing out of my chest!!!!! I forgot to mention that there was a noticable drop in my left shoulder after surgery as well, that is the only thing that has gotten a little better.

3 Comments

migration

by Tracey_E - 2016-11-17 13:07:42

It's not common, but sometimes migration does happen and it has to be repositioned. Sometimes it's our build, sometimes it's the position, sometimes it's because the surgeon didn't stitch it in place, sometimes they stitch it but it doesn't hold because the body doesn't like having a hunk of metal in there, sometimes it's just bad luck. If you have the opportunity to have a plastic surgeon take care of it, I would jump at it. This is complicated and out of the ordinary for a cardiologist, it's probably the easiest job of the day for a  plastic surgeon. Making things look and feel good is what they do. I have an unusual placement and three of my five pacer surgeries have been done by a plastic surgeon, at the request of the ep. Let the each one do what they do best, takes the stress off everyone and we end up more comfortable in the long run. 

migration

by Cabg Patch - 2016-11-17 13:23:28

wasn't somebody going to build a wall to prevent illegal migration? TracyE is right, but I cannot help wonder whether the migration is due to the surgeon's failure to suture the device in place. Yes there is supposed to be some motion of the device so that muscle and tissue don't tear with movement but sounds like this thing has moved to another state.

 

Were I you, I would not get the device moved to under muscle. In the long run it is better for some patients, but the pain and recovery are much longer with sub muscular implant than subcutaneous.

My suggestion would be to get a second opinion before doing anything further.

ICD

by Drake3287 - 2016-11-17 17:32:32

And remember that the ICD will never be completely invisable. Even on the best implanted devices there is always a slight bulge over the site. 

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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I am just grateful to God that I lived long enough to have my ICD put in. So many people are not as lucky as us; even though we sometimes don't feel lucky.