Pacemaker movement

I had a new pacemaker put in 2 weeks ago. The new one feels like it is much closer to the skin and is protruding. Is this normal, is it just swollen or is it possible that my new device has moved. I am really worried

4 Comments

When I got mine...

by Lurch - 2014-08-24 06:08:54

... I thought it was moving back and forth all the time. And when I bent over I felt like it was going to fall out! Not painful, but just felt like it was moving.

I have not had to have one replaced yet so not sure what that feels like. I did watch a video of the procedure recently and it really looked like the "pocket" where he put the replacement was big for the unit and he said that he was removing some of the previous scar tissue where the old one had been so that he could reach "new" tissue.

May want to give you Doctor a call Monday and ask the question.

Good luck and keep us posted please.

It's still new for you

by Grateful Heart - 2014-08-24 09:08:28

So it's hard to say. It may settle in after a few months and calm down.

When I had my implant initially, it was not protruding. 2 years later I needed a lead revision. Ever since, my device protrudes. That was 3 years ago so it's not gonna settle in for me.

You can see the outline of my device and feel one lead. I would never do this, but I could grab the lead between 2 fingers if I wanted. I never could do that before the lead revision. Depending on the bra style, my bra strap will catch on to the corner of the device where the leads come out. At times, I actually have to move the strap off of it.

Like Lurch, if I am bent over it looks and feels like it will fall out of the pocket.

But good news is we are all different so no need to worry yet. It can take up to a year to really settle in. Give it some time and like Lurch said, call your Doctor if you are concerned.

Grateful Heart

New pacemaker

by lauram65 - 2014-08-24 10:08:59

This is my first pacemaker, I am one week post-placement. I had a ton of swelling, and now that it has gone down, I can see the pacemaker protruding. I don't know why I thought it wouldn't. I have my followup Wednesday and will ask. It is a bit nerve wracking to have a device placed under your skin, but for me, the alternative was not good :) Good luck to all of you!

Best judgement

by Gotrhythm - 2014-08-25 12:08:03

I've had my PM for 3years and a couple of weeks. It was hardly visible in the first week, but as the swelling went down, it protruded more and more.

As G.Heart says, we are all different. And our bodies today are different from the bodies we had years ago. In the last year or so, I've lost about 10 lbs, and now like G.Heart, the outline of my device and the leads are plainly visible.

As you can see, the answer is some devices protrude more than others.Protrusion in itself is not a cause for worry.

Use your best judgement. Does the skin over and around the PM feel hot? Is there redness? Is there MORE swelling than a week ago? Those are the signs of a need for concern.

If it looks like it's healing okay, protrusion not withstanding, it probably is.

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

To tell you the truth I never even give it a second thought. While growing up it never stopped me from doing anything and to this day my girlfriend or my kids need to remind me that I have one!