Can my pacemaker shift after 2 years?!

Hello everyone;

Wow! I just found this site, pretty cool! I wish I would have found it two years ago when I first had my pacemaker implanted and was sulking because I felt like a failure, needing a pacemaker at 21 (I know these weren't rational thoughts! But weaning yourself off of pain medication doesn't always give you the clearest of heads!). Anyway, the reason I stumbled upon this site is because I've had this nagging, gnawing feeling that something's not right. I feel like my pacemaker (which unlike most of yours, is implanted near my stomach / rib cage on the left side) has shifted farther down and furrther to the left. I've had awful, awful cramping in my lower back. But maybe I'm imagining it all, or attributing it to the wrong thing, I've been under a LOT of stress at work, so it could all just be manifestions of the stress, right? Basically, I just don't know if it's even possible for the pacemaker itself, not the leads, to shift around. Does anyone out there have any experience with this or suggestions? I don't really want to worry my parents or doctor about it if it's just my stressed-out brain inventing scenarios, but I also don't want to ignore something that might actually pose a risk to my health. Thanks in advance for any advice / info!

6 Comments

Hi!

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-11-27 02:11:10

Hi and Welcome to the club. I am young also and can relate to how you feel. I got my pacemaker at 21 and am now 22. Pm are placed in a pocket that they create and they can sometimes expand too much or get a tear. What you are feeling could very well be related to your pm. Mine is not located near my stomach so I may be a little off. I would def. schedule a visit with your heart doctor and tell them what has been bothering you. They may do a x-ray and if it is not you pm they would probably tell you to go to your regular doctor for some tests. I wish you the best of luck and remember that when we are in pain something is not completely right and you should get it checked out otherwise the stress will become more on your body. Keep us posted and welcome.
Tammy

PM moving

by janetinak - 2007-11-27 02:11:22

I don'y know if this is possible, but please talk to your cardio doc & rule it out. It could be something else but please go see someone about it. Better safe than sorry, my Mom always said & now I am saying it. Good luck.

Welcome

by Suze - 2007-11-27 05:11:59

First let me welcome you to the club. You will like it here, I promise. Second, please get medical advice regarding your discomfort. After two years have gone by, I would think this should be checked out...and soon. As others have posted, it's always better to be safe than sorry later!

Again welcome aboard.

Suze

Thanks!

by BabyRuth - 2007-11-27 07:11:46

Hi everyone, and thanks for your support and comments. I emailed my cardiologist (since I didn't have my EP's card on me) and asked him what he thought, he said it was possible the pm had shifted slightly, but to contact my EP - now I'm just waiting to hear back from my EP - hopefully soon, cause it's bothering me, esp. when i hiccup! (which i do about 20 times a day!) It's just kind of a big inconvenience, since both my cardiologist and my EP are up in Philly while I live in D.C. so I have to really plan ahead for any kind of appointment with them!

-Suze, don't worry, I haven't been sitting on this for two years! This weird shifty feeling only started about 3 or 4 days ago. But thanks!

I'll keep you all posted, and thanks again!

get it checked

by mandogrl - 2007-11-27 08:11:40

Your EP could order an xray to determine if your PM has shifted. If it's not what is causing your discomfort, at least you would be relieved while you try to figure out what is causing it. Others on this site have mentioned they thought their PM had shifted also. Good luck.

I wasn't clear

by Suze - 2007-11-28 09:11:22

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear, I guess, as I re read my post....I meant that after two years had gone by with no pain or discomfort and all of a sudden it starts. To me that is a concern. (Sometimes it's hard to get my meaning across while typing out the words).

Anyway, I'm glad you contacted your medical people. Let's hope you get answers very soon!

Yes, please keep us posted....

Suze

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.