Normal!

I have had my pm for 4 months now, and as expected the site was sore for a while after, but then was fine. However, about 3 weeks ago I went swimming,twice in the space of a coupla days (24 lenghts each time) Later on that day, I started to get really sharp stabbing stinging pains at pm site which have only just settled down over last 2 or 3 days, just odd ones now. What I have now is a lot of soreness and tenderness at the top of the site, which seems to be high up next to my collar bone. Not sure if pm rubbing on bone and causing this soreness, or if it is just where it is rubbing inside. Is this normal after this length of time after implant, has anyone else had this? Is it a bad thing for your pm to be rubbing on your bone, especially where the leads are fixed in?
Is it possible to get an infection inside after nearly 4 months when everything has been fine before? There is no redness or swelling.
Thanks Jan

5 Comments

Thanx

by sputnick - 2009-05-15 01:05:12

Thanx 4 that! It has put my mind at rest, I think when you are still getting used to everything you are aware of every ache and pain and it is reassuring to know that someone else has had the same feelings.
Ps What is a Min Pin? Is it a cat or a dog, big or small?! Jan

1.5+ years

by turboz24 - 2009-05-15 03:05:54

My ICD still hurts 1.5+ years after implant, so occassional pain isn't uncommon. Afterall, it's a large lump of metal that shouldn't be there, so obviously it's going to cause some issues.

swimming & lead wire

by aldeer - 2009-05-15 05:05:35

My pm was put in Aug 07 and I do swim five days a week for a 30 minutes straight swimming. I did start a week sooner than I should have and my pm slipped down a couple of inches and the lead wire is right under the skin and still tender at times. My EP said he could reposition it, but I don't want to take chances of an infection. My cardiologist did not want me to swim too much because he was concerned about wear & tear of lead wire rubbing against the bone. However, I still swam and after a year, I went back to my EP for his advice because he was the one that put it in. He said that he has many swimmers and feels there is enough slack that I can swim as I do and not be concerned. I am taking his advice. I do think that perhaps scar tissue forming around the wire & pm may cause some of the pain I sometimes feel. My only advice is to talk to whoever installed yours and ask their advice. Lots of good luck and great swimming. aldeer

Normal

by GCWebb - 2009-05-15 10:05:18

I've had a pacer for 6 yrs now and at start of swimming season I'll iratate site and have pain for several weeks as muscle or tissue adjusts, but usually everything is fine. Also happens when my Min Pin jumps against site.

Helpful

by sputnick - 2009-05-16 10:05:54

Thanks Turbo n Aldeer! I think that it will be sore for quite a while as i am really skinny and only 5' tall and my pm is slightly larger, a St Jude XL DR, and it does rub up against my collar bone when I raise my arm or across my chest. I have just got an appt. through to see my cardiologist but not till Sept. I haven't been swimming since it started being sore, but I think I will take it more slowly when I go back and maybe go more often but do fewer lengths, it's such an enjoyable way to get fit I was just worried about damaging the leads.
Keep well and enjoy ur weekend Jan x

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