Pocket infection from pacemaker site 2 yrs old!

Feeling pretty down about now. Been a while since I posted End of September after fighting a staph infection for 5 months with no relief I was sent to Baylor Medical to get the 3 wires removed. 2 years ago I had 5 heart surgeries in 4 days including a thorocotamy but the drs left the 3 dead pacemakers in the old site - the PM was moved to my abdomen. Don't feel like I am ever going to get my strength back. Just recently got the picc line removed from daily antibiotics... now I am terrifed the infection is going to come back! The center of the incision opened and I have about a dime size hole right in the middle that is healing from the outside in . I am 42... this started when I was 23 and to date have had 30 YES 30 prodecures. I am at the point of giving up. I can't get my energy back... seems to be never ending. Any advice?

2 Comments

don't give up

by Tracey_E - 2012-10-09 10:10:00

How frustrating and frightening! You've had more than your fair share of troubles. No matter how hard it gets, never ever give up hope! When you no longer think you will be well again, you can pretty much be sure it'll be a self-fullfilling prophesy. You are a fighter, don't give up now. If you ever want to chat, feel free to private message me.

Take charge

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-10-18 02:10:35

I don't know all of your case, but I would be getting other opinions, doing research, and raising hell. I had to threaten to remove my PM with a box knife and a pair of vice grips before they would really look for the problem. When they did, they found that the ventricular lead had pierced my heart when they installed it.

There are unscrupulous bastards out there that will kee you coming back for more procedures when they know the fix. Go get another opinion (or another cardio).

Also, you will feel a lot less like a victim when you take charge of your care. I can't tell you how to do that. You just have to do it.

Keep us informed of your progress regardless. Best of luck.

Dave

You know you're wired when...

Airport security welcomes you.

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It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.