pacemaker placement

Hi, I'm so happy I just found this site. I'm a very thin 39 yr old female, I had my 1st pacemaker put in this Jan. It seems like it is sticking too far over toward my underarm. Everytime, I move my arm, I feel it, it hurts to sleep on that side, it hurts when I use my left arm too much. Is anyone else having these type of problems?? The Dr. dismissed my complaints. Thanks for any help

2 Comments

placement

by aldeer - 2008-03-31 07:03:14

Hi Speedy.... My pacemaker's placement is just about like yours, and I can feel the lead just under the skin. I have no fat in that area. I have learned to sleep on my right side with a very big pillow under my left arm, and that is very comfortable. My pm is eight months old, and I do sometimes feel a very slight burn just over the shoulder blade, and slight feelings in the area of the pm, but other then that it is just great. Scar has disappeared (almost), but I can feel the outline of the pacemaker on my chest..the scar area is about 3 to 5 inches above it. aldeer

placement woes...

by Swedeheart - 2008-03-31 07:03:40

Hello Speedy,

Sorry to hear you are having difficulty with the PM... I think for all of us that are "newbies" (I got mine in Feb) it takes quite a while for everything to settle down. Prior to my implant I had quite a discussion with the doctor's nurse about placement and options... I was worried that the "normal" placement of under the collar bone would be right where my bra strap rubs. She said the option would be to have it placed more under my arm... I sort of decided that might not be comfy as I sleep on my side... so I said to put it under my collarbone. I don't know that too many folks get to "choose where it is placed"... but some do. Mine does still bother me a little, but it isn't horrible. My scar is healing fairly well and that doesn't look like it will be a problem. My pacemaker doesn't protrude very much, just can see a slight bump when the light is right. However, I think being really thin... creates some of the difficulties you may be having. I do have some extra "padding" by way of pounds and that likely hides things.

I do know that if it continues to really bother you ~ you should press your doctor on the issue. I am under the impression they can "move" it (another surgery) if necessary. But, the main thing is to be sure it hasn't stretched the "pocket" they made for the pacemaker or is shifting. Yours may be near a nerve or close to the muscles you use when lifting your arm and irritating things. I would continue to ask your doctor at checkups.

You might also search the postings (search feature at top) for placement or movement of PM to see what others have experienced.

Again, welcome. Lots of nice folks here with lots of experience and answers!

Swedeheart

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Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.