7 wk PO update- Infection in pocket

Greetings all - I'm just waiting out a 10 day course of antibiotics in hopes it kills off my infection. Not a lot of improvement thus far. The doc said I am getting the equivalent of an IV dosage in oral pills of Clindamycin HCL. Cultures and CBC were normal. Infection is localized in pocket. No fever or chills. Friday is day 10. The doc will decide next step, although he explained PM and leads likely will be removed and new set implanted on right side. Left side infection will be treated (somehow) . It's really a bummer. I sort of feel like a ticking bomb. Worried about infection hitching a ride on leads into heart. Anyway, I have discovered it is therapeutic to share.

Has anyone had an infection successfully treated? I'd love to hear.


2 Comments

Recent Infection

by mermaidjan - 2013-08-05 06:08:16

Hi Minnesota....
I recently had a pocket infection which the doctor presumed would also be on my wires. I was on IV Cloxacillin for a total of 9 weeks (including the 2 weeks following my leads extraction) My blood cultures were negative during that time but my wires and pacemaker were positive for bacterial growth when they were removed.
Unfortunately certain bacteria stick to the metal making extraction necessary. How long have you had your pacemaker? Do you know the name of the bacteria?
Jan

Jan- thanks for your post

by Minnesota - 2013-08-05 07:08:04

Hi Jan. how are you doing now? I don't know what bacteria Is involved. They cultured last week but nothing grew. I am 7 weeks PO with my first PM. Did you have a new PM/leads implanted when your other was removed? How was the removal? How long were you in the hospital? Could the IV treatments be completed out patient ? I hope you are doing well now. Thanks again for your post.

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