3rd surgery since May 7

I was implanted with my first Pacemaker on May 7, 2018.  After 7 weeks, they discovered my leads came out, so June 21, I was back in for surgery to attach the leads.  I went back 7 days later at which time I was x-rayed and the leads were once again out!!!  I had surgery yet again yesterday, June 29 at which time the leads were taken out and replaced.  My Dr said in his 35 years this hadn't happened and the rep from St Judes was in the operating room and said she has been doing this since 1986 and had never experienced this either.  I am so scared and frustrated!  I have had a bad cough but it is now better so wondering..:has anyone else heard or experienced this?  I am so praying the leads stay this time.


7 Comments

Leads moving.

by Renny - 2018-07-01 02:41:16

ive had one replacement.  The lead moved the day after my implant.  If you cough anything like I do, I’d not be surprised if it’s that.  But leads are a tricky thing.  I hope it stays in place now.

Thanks

by lj_ranch - 2018-07-01 11:24:22

Thank you Renny!

Loose leads

by Gotrhythm - 2018-07-01 15:31:37

Who wouldn't be scared and frustrated? I'm sorry you've been though such a hard time. And I'm sure you're on pins and needles waiting to see if this batch of leads will take or not.

The third surgery was just a couple of days ago. It's too early to know if it was successful. Right now, I don't think it's time to worry about what you will do if these leads don't attach properly.

Right now is when you call on every source of inner strength, mental and spiritual. And also gather people around you who have strength you can depend on.

I'll be thinking of you.

Let us know how it goes.

Cough

by AgentX86 - 2018-07-01 15:55:59

Listen to these people. They're all giving spot-on advice. I just wanted to add to Renny's allusion to the cough symptom.  That's how they tagged my blockages. I'd been coughing a lot. I thought it was just allergies (which I'd never had serious problems for) but after a stress test, I couldn't stop. I'm not saying that you have blocked arteries but coughing is a definite symptom of heart issues. That it's better is a really good sign that the pacemaker is helping.

Hospitals

by doublehorn48 - 2018-07-01 16:48:06

The #1 ranked teaching hospital in Florida  is the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.  That's where I would go if I were you.  And if that's where you go now I would change Doctors.  Good luck, my friend.  

Pacemaker Lead Dislodgment

by Heart-Rhythm-Center.com - 2018-07-01 20:51:16

It sounds as if you had lead dislodgements and unfortunately, it does happen. Dislodgment can occur in as many as 1 in 100 patients (1%). I suspect during your second surgery they simply repositioned the same lead. Sometimes, when the initial lead dislodges there can be some tissue stuck in the helix (tiny corkscrew at end of lead that "anchors" it to your heart) so if that lead is repositioned, that tissue in the helix prevents a good anchoring the second time. That would explain why they ultimately had to replace the lead. There are a multitude of other causes for lead failure. Finally, if you didn't have a cough before the procedure, you should let the implanting physician know immediately. There are other possible complications (including drug reactions) that could lead to coughing and you want to be sure all is ok. Please take a look at this article that discusses complications of pacemaker implantation (https://www.intechopen.com/books/current-issues-and-recent-advances-in-pacemaker-therapy/complications_of_pacemaker_implantation) and if you are looking for a more readable version, What is a Pacemaker? is a book designed for patients that have undergone implantation and covers all aspects of pacemakers (https://www.amazon.com/What-Pacemaker-Cardiologists-Patients-Providers/dp/1481916602/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8). Hope you feel better. 

leads not staying in place

by Pookie - 2018-07-10 01:45:23

It happened to me 5 times!!!!!!!!  The reason:   there are 2 types of ends (meaning at the end of the wires/leads) that they can use.  One is like a fish hook, the other is like a screw.  I don't even remember what I had, that kept falling out, because it was back in 2004.  I just know the doctor (cardiologist) that finally stepped in and fixed it used the opposite of what the 1st doc used.  Ask whomever implanted your device, then try the opposite type of end?

Wishing you THE BEST.  

Take care,

Pookie

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

Member Quotes

Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!