Cannot make a decision

I am so nervous about my decision to have a replacement for the PM just put in February 2008 or to leave it alone.
The PM was larger, does not sit right in the pocket, leads felt and outlined in chest, floating PM to under arm.
I thought everything would be the same as when the first PM was installed without incident.
The original surgeon stated he would reposition the pocket, put leads under the PM and make me more comfortable.
It is driving me crazy to think about going through this again.However, it is my decision as he stated the PM is functioning well. What to do? I would need to make the appt ASAP as I need to go back to work. On a scale of 1-10 the uncomfort is about 7. Could I live with this...I'm sure I could adjust. Do I want to be more comfortable until the next PM battery is done..Yes. The new PM he would put in would be smaller and it's life would be 5 yrs. as this one which is larger is 7-10 yrs. ANY Ideas, suggestions.
It's the post op that bothers me. I also suffer from Panic Attacks and this does not help emotionally going back and forth with a decision.
Thank you. Please someone help!

11 Comments

nervous too

by rayan - 2008-07-21 03:07:15

I had my surgery on June 11th, also have to have another surgery. Mine is misplaced and large too.
Having my next one in Aug. Hard to make a decicion like that, but mine is very uncomfortable, also hurts & can feel it 24/7, Am worried also. It is a hard decision to make. I am also ready to go back to work but now it will be late Sept. before I will be going back. Good luck.

Making Decisions

by Pookie - 2008-07-21 03:07:45

Making decisions like the one you are faced with is difficult at best. I am sure you are playing the "what if" game....asking yourself hundreds of questions! Your mind must be spinning.

My opinion is: go for it. Why settle for discomfort?

Yes, there is always the post op, but that will diminish with time. If the new PM is going to be smaller and more comfortable...you gotta ask yourself why you would NOT go thru with it.

Just a suggestion: why don't you make a list of the pros and cons and whatever list is longer, wins!!!

I wish you the best of luck.

Pookie

I understand the anxiety.......

by swilson10 - 2008-07-21 05:07:47

I had to have 4 surgeries in 2 years to get things right. (And 4 different surgeons for a variety of reasons) First the leads were a problem, then the pocket erosion (AKA placement problems) and then the leads again! Only you know what you can live with, but consider not only the physical impact the discomfort has, but also the mental energy it takes to manage the worries or frustration of being uncomfortable.

7 out of 10 is a lot

by Tracey_E - 2008-07-21 05:07:55

I'd probably get it fixed! A little more discomfort short term for being a lot more comfortable longterm.

What about a second opinion

by ted - 2008-07-21 06:07:19

Have you thought about getting a second opinion? Sometimes patients have a bad outcome and then go right back to the same doctor who (1), may have done a terrific job that just didn't turn out right, or (2), botched the job and wants to try again to get it right. If it were me, I would get a second opinion from a different doctor to see whether your surgeon knows what he/she is doing.

Decisions, Decisions

by SMITTY - 2008-07-21 07:07:47


Hi Branch,

Like some have commented, a second opinion is one option. On the other hand this surgeon botched the job to some degree the first time, so I would think he would put in extra effort to make it perfect this time. If you come off no better, or maybe even worse off, there is always another doctor to fix the entire mess, if needed.

As for the discomfort, you say it is about a 7 right now. Think about what it may be next year. It could be a 3 or it could be a 10. It is one big, big crap shoot for you on this. I do think trying to live with discomfort of about a level 7 is a very good option for anyone.

On battery life, no doctor can do anymore than guess how long a PM battery will last. I was told mine would last about 5 years and I'm in my 8th year and the last checkup showed an estimated remaining battery life of 2 years. I am not alone on this and I have seen others here say just the opposite for their battery. I guess what I'm is I would give battery life a very low priority in my decision.

If it were me, considering the trouble you have had with this big one, I would put a smaller size that can fill my needs high on my list of reasons to go for the change.

I wish I knew of a magic pill for the panic attacks. I'm to dumb to ever have them, but I have seen this problem in my family and I know they are hell for many people.

I wish you the best.

Smitty

second opinon

by rayan - 2008-07-21 07:07:52

I am having another surgeon do the 2nd surgery.
Don't trust the 1st one, the job was botched , big time.

Come on, Smitty

by ted - 2008-07-21 08:07:28

It is only on the rarest of occasions that I ever disagree with our resident guru, Smitty. But if your doctor botched the job the first time, why would anyone in their right mind go back for seconds? The fact that the doctor might put out "extra effort" next time is of no consolation. "Effort" and good intentions are worthless when it comes to medicine or surgery. The doctor either has the skills and knowledge or he doesn't. All the effort in the world will not make an incompetent into a world class physician.

For Ted

by SMITTY - 2008-07-21 09:07:27

Ted,

I don't mind you, or anyone, disagreeing with me. Believe it or not, I know only to well I ain't perfect. My child bride reminds me of that fact almost daily. But this is what I said,

"Like some have commented, a second opinion is one option. On the other hand this surgeon botched the job to some degree the first time, so I would think he would put in extra effort to make it perfect this time. If you come off no better, or maybe even worse off, there is always another doctor to fix the entire mess, if needed."

But I was not really recommending what the poster should do. It just seemed to me that they are undecided which way to go so all I was trying to do was offer some reassurance that the doctor had an excellent reason to do a good job this time. I think he and all the rest of us knows that if he were to screw up this time he would probably be having a conversation with a lawyer. In addition I think there are some extenuating circumstance here. I gathered from one comment that the poster may be under some kind of time restraint because of their job.

But if I came across as recommending that they use the same doctor with no reservation, that is not what I intended. This is one of those cases where there is not enough info for me to recommend one way or the other. Sure the job was botched, and what does the doctor have to say about why it was botched? Was he hung over, was he doing something he is not qualified to do or is this one of those surgeries that went bad for no known reason. The doctor does have one thing in his favor and he could be admitting guilt here, but he does acknowledge the job needs to be redone.

As for what I would do, I don't know what I would do because I not walking a mile in their shoes. And I certainly hope I never have to make a decision on a like matter.

Take care,

Smitty

To fix or not to fix:that is the question

by ElectricFrank - 2008-07-22 01:07:30

First off having the pocket opened up and the pacer reoriented isn't that big a deal and when you consider having to live with the current discomfort for the next 5+ years it isn't worth it.
As for doctors competence I would suggest asking him for his reasons for placing it as he did. There may be a good reason which just didn't work out in which case he is the logical choice to fix it. If you aren't satisfied with the explanation or get a run around ask to have someone else do it.
This is one of those cases where being honest and straight forward will pay off.

frank

Thanks for the comments

by branch57 - 2008-07-25 02:07:37

Thanks for the comments. I made my decision and will have the pocket revision done in two weeks.
Although I keep scouring the internet for 'pocket revision of PM' and see only the complications which makes me nervous. I feel I have wiggle room to change my mind.
Strange, I feel better but I know that is the mind tricking the body! I'm thinking having the PM fall under my armpit at night is not so bad. Silly of me but rationalizing is what human beings do best.

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