Pacemaker

I had a Boston Scientific Dual Chamber PM installed two days ago. This is my 3rd. The 1st & 2nd were St. Judes installed in 1989 & 2007. Early this morning I was awakened with what felt like contractions or spasms at the site of my PM just below my collar bone, which have continued for several hours and are somewhat distracting and disconcerting. My leads are 28 years old, and before my most recent implant I asked my cardiologist about their life expectancy and whether they should be replaced. My cardiologist and the Boston Scientific representative said the leads themselves were fine; but because of changes in the technology of PMs my older leads could not be connected directly to my new device without adapters also being installed, which in turn required an expansion of my pocket.

My supposition is that the contractions/spasms are being caused either by a faulty connection between a lead, an adapter and/or the PM, or by my body taking some time to adjust to the new device & adapters in a larger space.

I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. If so, did the problem resolve itself as the body adjusted to new material, or was an additional corrective procedure required?

Many thanks.

3 Comments

adapters

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-01 17:45:34

Don't run into many who have been paced longer than me! Welcome. I, too, have adapters to make older leads work with newer pacers. I've never felt anything from it, wouldn't have known it was there if they didn't tell me. It sounds like something isn't right with them. It shouldn't take any time to adjust to a new device. Mine was moved to a new pocket with my last replacement, was sore after but nothing like spasms. That's not at all normal, I would stay on them. 

Average lead life is 15 years but we have members with leads 30+ years old and still  going strong. I plan to keep mine as long as I possibly can. Because ours are so old, removing them is tricky. I'm hoping that by putting it off as long as possible that my next set will be my last, and in that time they can get better at removing them in complicated patients. It's already come a long way in just the last few years. 

Leads & adapters

by El Viejo - 2018-01-03 16:28:56

Thanks Tracy. I have an appointment to have the leads & adapters checked. Maybe dialing down the wattage will help, &/or lowering the minimum rate. (My former PMs had been set at 50 bpm, and the new one was installed, for some reason, @ 60. I’ve been told that if new leads are required the old ones will probably be left in place & my PM & new leads will be moved to my other side. We shall see.

contractions

by kathrynagnes - 2018-01-03 21:23:07

Hi,

I am going to be on # 5 my leads are 30 years and counting! I have had what I would call spasms or twitching----  always---- I remember vividly the first episodes---- no need to panic--- It took a while but hearing that someone else feels the same thing has been  a great comfort to me and I'm hoping this helps (does not hurt) just spasms💜  No revision needed for me --- just breath--- Little humor, I read ypur message to my husband and he thought it was me. My # 4 Boston Scientific, # 1 & 3 St Judes # 2 Medronic.

Kindest Regards Kathryn

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My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.