Hematoma following receiving new pacemaker

Hi-

I am new to the site - what a great resource! I just had my old pacemaker (implanted March 1st, 2007) removed and replaced with a new device in a new position. Since I am on Coumadin, and had to switch to Lovenox for the surgery, I developed a hemotoma at the surgical site, about the size of a half lemon. I was in the hospital a week instead of overnight, and iced the site 24/7 for that week. I have now received advice to begin hot compresses for 20 minutes 3 or 4 times a day to help the blood re-absorb. My cardio doc told me yesterday it may take a month or 2 before it returns to normal. I am concerned about wearing a bra again, hoping the strap does not hinder the healing.

What led to the old pacemaker being removed was 8 months of moderate to severe heart failure symptoms - I had no life energy, had pretty severe shortness of breath, couldn't make it through a visit to the supermarket, used the electric carts stores sometimes provide, basically was living as if I was 20 years older and in poor health. Prior to choosing the surgical option, many drugs were prescribed and taken, and I am still on them, but hope I can wean myself off of them in time.

I feel like a brand new person since receiving a bi-ventricular pacing device - my previous pm had created a dysynchrony, and the two bottom chambers of the heart (ventricles) were not beating simultaneously, apparently causing all these heart-failure symptoms, including collecting fluid in the right pulmonary pleural space, which had to be drained 3 times. (Not a treat.) My doctor believes the heart failure symptoms were caused by the dysynchony, and I sure wish I'd switched to this new type of pm much much sooner.

Here's to a better, brighter new year for us all!

Louisa


3 Comments

hi

by Seska - 2007-12-30 05:12:27

hi Louisa

great to hear that your Bi-V pacer is helping your symptoms, sorry to hear about your haematoma, hope it clears up quickly and easily, I had a much smaller one in the past and imagine that yours must be uncomfortable

take care

Sorry Mistyped Email

by peter - 2007-12-31 04:12:40

Sorry Louqueena I mispelt that email address it is-
bayhoecott@yahoo.co.uk PETER

BI VENTRICULAR PACEMAKER

by peter - 2007-12-31 04:12:57

Sounds like you did not have the right pacemaker in the first place. Ive got a Bi-ventricular pacemaker and I feel that I can outrun my doctors if I want to. Before getting it I was getting exactly the same conditions as you- terrible shortness of breath (and worse - I nearly died) etc. Now I can climb a mountain! Any queries contact me on bayhecott@yahoo.co.uk PETER

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