pacer moved

I had my pacemaker installed on July 23rd. The scar is minimal as was the bruising and soreness. The last week I've noticed the edge closest to my armpit has lifted slightly and you can clearly see the edge of the unit. It's sore to touch and feels almost like a slight burning sensation when it's rubbed by a shirt etc. I called the pacemaker clinic and they kinda tried to brush off the problem saying that although it could be fixed I'd run the risk of infection if they had to open me up again. My way of thinking is that if it's sore now and the edge is sticking up why would I want to live with that for the next 10yrs until it's replaced.
The next issue is a strange one. I have noticed that the last two days I'm getting a cramping feeling in the center of my chest (rib cage) when I bend over slightly. I'm also getting fluttering of the heart several times a day now. I see the clinic tomorrow for the check up.
Am I being too picking when I say that you shouldn't really see the shape of the unit under the skin. My unit sticks up quite a bit from the left side and slopes down on towards the right side. I'm concerned that leaving it longer will just make it longer for me to live with the current pain. I'm also very stiff in the shoulder which I'm sure is quite common.
I'm not sure what to think. Quite honestly if they can fix it -- I think they should.

7 Comments

hi

by bullseye - 2009-08-11 03:08:25

just to let you no your not on your own here my husband has had his pm since last october and has had the same problem it sticks out on the one side and is very close to his shoulder bone with pain and aching shoulder and neck he has seen his cardiologest and they said they could move it but would run a risk of infection so they decided to leave it till it needs replacing ,at first we paniced to and rang pm clinic and felt that we were brushed of .now ive learned when ever he goes for a pm cheak up i always tell them i want a ptint out a copy of the report and if i have any concerns over his pm or mitral valve i phone a&e they always ask him to come for a cheak over and put our minds at rest good luck

PM move

by PeggyR - 2009-08-11 08:08:10

My implant was last Sept, I am 5'3", 126 lbs and have noticed that my PM has moved slightly towards my armpit and is now lifted more than before. It was very slight last checkup and when I asked cardio about it he said your body (tissues, etc) are not used to having a foreign body in your body and there is adjustment happening. I think I'm satisfied with that response. It does not cause me pain but when I reach across my body with my left arm it is like a small box stopping me from reaching as I did before. And, hubby bought me a sheepskin seat belt strap as I found the seat belt started to rub my PM on the left side where it is now raised. Think I will just keep mentioned to cardio and live with it -- since I don't have pain. I think it is just one of the speed bumps in life so to speak that I can live with for now. Good luck and hope our PMs settle into their new homes.
Peggy

shirtless with my unit you cant miss it

by Brantfordmuscle - 2009-08-11 08:08:43

I'm not a model.. I'm concerned about the lump partly because it is uneven (sticks up one side a lot more than the other) but mostly because it's very uncomfortable. It burns along the edge (it didn't do that before). I'm not a big man. I'm 6.2, 180lb so there isn't a lot of meat on me. I now feel like the skin is being ultra stretched along the edge sticking up and the discomfort runs into my shoulder around down the muscle that attaches to my shoulder. It didn't hurt as much when I went home from surgery.
The alternative for me was to put up with the odd dizzy spell. I didn't need this unit to survive so it's very annoying to have them tell me I won't see or feel it much and then to have it sticking out of my chest so visibly (and with pain along with it).
Don't mean to complain but hey.. the thing is uncomfortable and I don't think one needs to live with that when it's not necessary.
They obviously didn't put it into a deep enough pocket.

pain and appearance

by turboz24 - 2009-08-11 08:08:47

You have every right to care about how it looks. The choice is you could get a pacer or get a pacer that's properly implanted.

I've had my ICD for 2 years now and it's totally visible, sticks up a good 3/8" and the skin is stretched tight over it. I haven't had my shirt off in front of a mirror or infront of anyone unless it's my doctor for almost as long as I''ve had the implant. Not being able to ever take off my shirt doesn't bother me enough to get sliced and diced to have it moved sub-pectorally until it's replacement time, though.

I hope everyone who has the "who cares what it looks like" attitude also drives a really ugly functional car, wears ugly clothing, etc afterall, as long as it does what it's meant to, who cares what it looks like, right?.

As for pain, my ICD causes me pain on a regular basis, but nothing that lasts long term, so if it's continual pain, I'd definately get it looked into.

Cosmetics...

by Bodhi - 2009-08-13 02:08:42

I'm glad to be reading these posts so I know what I'm getting into now that my cardiologist says that I need a pacer/defib.
I have to chime in here and agree with Turbo. It's a blessing that these things are around to help us, but that doesn't mean that only swimsuit models are allowed to worry about appearance.
Thanks to those who have answered HONESTLY, I'm demanding another appointment with my doctor so that we can discuss options.

pain

by raccoongirl04 - 2009-08-13 10:08:44

I've had my pacemaker 6 months now. It sticks up and is visible. That doesn't really bother me so much, but the pain does. The doctor told me that sometimes it takes 6 months for all the scar tissue to form around it. Well, here we are at 6 months, and it's still sore. Very painful to wear a seatbelt, and painful to the touch.

On a good note, it's doing its job. And I desparately needed this, so I guess I'll just keep quiet.

Do what you think is best

by Carly McCurry - 2012-11-02 11:11:10

Ignore what that rude guy said. I can see plainly that you weren't whinnin, but that you were concerned about your health. It is very important to keep on top of these things, its better to be too careful then not careful enough.

You know you're wired when...

Airport security gives you free massages.

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I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.