Could it be??

I'm guessing my leads aren't happy with my heart! I have been having extreme back pain for almost two weeks .. I do some heavy lifting at work and I just assumed the pain was from work (I guess it still can be that) I went to the Er during work Sunday because the pain was so bad .. Like a knife screwing into my back left and right side in the center of my back. They did chest X-ray they said it seemed to look fine. Today I went to my primary doctor and he said he thinks it may be the leads causing the pain. I have had my pm since aug 27 last year and they had to change one of the leads in September from this pain I was having. My question is can the leads move or cause this pain after almost a year of having a pm? I still think I just hurt something but my doctors considered with the pain and it hurts more when I'm breathing and the pain comes and goes? I have no clue whats going on! I'm calling my heart doctor tomorrow and see him hopefully this week .. Before they send me for the cat-scan ... Anyone have a clue whats going on? Thank you so much for reading!

3 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2013-06-04 06:06:40

A radiologist reading an xray can't tell much about leads other than that they are there.

It is HIGHLY unlikely you've moved the leads at this late date. If you were in a car accident or something like that, maybe, but just day to day activity, even lifting, is not going to move a lead.

Have they done blood work to rule out heart attack? Back pain can be a cause. I assume that's the first thing they did in the ER.

I'm no dr, but it sounds to me like you pulled a muscle or pinched a nerve. Have you tried anti-inflammatories and alternating heat/ice? Even on the odd chance it's the lead, that might give you some relief.

I get pain like that from time to time, either from lifting something wrong or sleeping funny. My chiropractor can usually work it out. Between him and ice/heat, I'm back to normal in a day or two.

leads

by Tracey_E - 2013-06-04 06:06:41

Also, if the pm is interrogated, they will know right away if a lead is not in place because it won't be pacing. I would ask for an echo before a ct. That's how they will be able to tell if a lead is in a bad spot.

TraceyE

by Stephanie3 - 2013-06-04 07:06:44

They didn't do much Er just the X-ray. I didnt think it could be the leads this late either. I had no accident and don't think I did anything out of normal. I didn't go to the heart doctor because he's only in on Friday and the Er doctor didn't think it was that bad to call my pm rep to come check the pm! My primary doctor is who I saw this morning. I am taking Motrin and the doctor today gave me some stronger medication.. I have been icing and heating it no relieve! I guess I will wait until I go to the heart doctor to see if the pm is okay... I never had this pain in my life it's so uncomfortable! I believe it's just that I did something to my back but they jump to think its the pacemaker so I guess we will see! Thank you Tracey for always helping!

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