fiddlebritches

I have two questions my pm is a month old now it is still very sore, I am not a weine either Im a SD farm wife , every time I lift with my left the spot where the pm is gets very tender , also this morning when I woke up ( IM a pillow hugger my pm was standing straight up and when I layed on my back it went flat to my chest agian is it suppose to move around like that?

9 Comments

pm movement

by thomast - 2011-01-12 11:01:16

No, it should not stand up like that. If you are a SD farmwife I know you are tough. I worked on a farm there for a couple of years a long time ago.

Thomas

I agree

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-13 02:01:44

There is no reason for a traveling pacemaker other than laziness or incompetence on the part of the surgeon. I hate to see us have to resort to it, but I'm wondering if a malpractice suit or two might do wonders. It shouldn't be too hard to win as the pacemaker manufacturer (at least Medtronics) calls for it in their implant procedure document. That should make it a "standard of practice" item.

With pacemakers being implanted by almost any doc these days the field is becoming a mine field for us. Toss em in, get paid, and on to the next patient.

It is also unfair to the docs that are doing an excellent job of it (and there are many). The whole field is going to suffer (as well as us) if things keep up. In many ways we are the ones most able to put pressure on the field.

frank

moving pacer

by Pookie - 2011-01-13 10:01:03

Hi:)

My pacemaker moved all the way from below my collar bone area (see picture in gallery where it is properly located - just type in Pookie - and just my pictures will appear instead of going thru all the pages, which would take forever) into my armpit!!!!!!!!!

I totally agree with what the others have said....it seems as though they just shove them in when clearly they are meant to be anchored/sewn down into the pocket.

Why they don't do it correctly the first time is beyond me.

And as far as your doctor's nurse being bitchy to you, don't give her a 2nd thought....you have every right to be calling the doctor if you have a problem or a question.

I went 5 months (in pain) before I finally found a cardiologist who would reposition it. The moment he saw it he said "it should have been sewn in, not thrown in."

If your pacemaker is not where it should be and you are in pain or uncomfortable - then demand that it be fixed!

Pookie

Thanks

by fiddlebritches - 2011-01-13 12:01:12

I really appreciate your coments I was beginning to think I am a big baby I have to go back to work on my other job on tues I work in a mental inst. so things can get pretty violent , have to go back as I am out of sick leave and nnnnneeeeed the insurance thanks you guys are great help I am so glad I found this sight, I hate calling my dr cuz all I get to talk to is his nurse and she is excuse the word bitchy and acts as though I am bothering her.

Traveling PM?

by donb - 2011-01-13 12:01:43

Hi Ms fiddlebritches, Another PM patient with an unsecured Titanium box drifting around! I can't believe the number of new members aboard with these problems.
I have had 3 PMs' on my left tucked under my collar bone and secured each time. Now I have my 4th on my right side with new leads all properly implanted. I have never had any great discomfort in the 18 years as so many people complain. Also, I am way too skinny to not have my hardware not tied down.
Maybe someone can enlighten us why most of the PM generators have attachment points on the titanium case which apparently are not used by many surgeons to secure the implant. Guess I should be very happy to have had 2 differant Cardiologists over the years do all my implants. I did have my 3rd PM erode as I'm skinny and way too active for an old person. Also with my 4th implant I had no restrictions, right chest which was done so well that I didn't even have sleep problems.
I want to suggest any newcomers with upcoming PM implant should get well informed before surgery as to location of PM, lead dress, attachment. It's so important as we all have to live with this hardware, so why not do itright from day one? donb

Suggestion for dealing with nurse

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-14 01:01:10

Just consider her as one of your mental patients at the inst. and treat her as such. LOL

frank

Take Care

by agelbert - 2011-01-14 03:01:05

I read about Twiggler syndrome. In these cases a PM rotates 180 degrees. This in turn rotates the lead(s) which alters lead position and causes left arm twitching from loose pacing current. I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just asking that you make sure your PM doesn't rotate when it moves and call the doctor if you get arm twitches.

I agree with everyone above that the PM should not move. The only movement is supposed to be in the lead slack loop from the subclavian vein exit point to the PM when your arm moves.

I'm not a doctor. Good luck and be well.

unother setback

by fiddlebritches - 2011-01-15 01:01:46

went back to my cardio today , the leads are in place but the pacemaker is moving so am restricted again from my job all sick leave gone no money of course.... have to pay my insurance out of pocket $700. that I dont have am not suppose to move
my left arm and only 20 lbs on right arm at least the leads are secure for the time being I am so frustrated and deppressed I am an energizer bunny I can work rings around the young ones at the hospital. My shoulder is so sore on the left side I cant sleep thanks for all your advice I really rely on this sight cus no one else seems to know what the heck is going on

Parsonnet Pouch

by agelbert - 2011-01-17 03:01:27

I just read about this and you might want to look into it. It's a pouch designed to keep the body of the PM (pulse generator and battery) from moving around in there (erosion or migration).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763476/

As you will see, it's fairly old technology but it has a great record. One of the issues in modern implantation techniques is that as the devices have become smaller, the EPs have gone from making a pocket in the muscle to putting them just below the fascia (fat below the skin) and above the muscle. It's easier and causes less bleeding and post operative muscle pain so they like it. But, it seems the PM can move around easier too. The Parsonnet pouch takes care of that.
I hope this helps you somehow.

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