New PM Recipiant

Hello everyone! I am a new pacemaker recipiant (as of Oct 3, 2011) and I am going back to work tomorrow. The incision has healed well and the swelling on the incision has gone down only now I have this lump that feels huge to me where the actual device rests. Is this normal? While a little tender it's not painful. Can the pacemaker move? It feels weird, and somewhat scary. Will this lump go down? Will I ever be able to wear vee necks tops again?

11 Comments

Same thing going on with me

by djtirrell - 2011-10-16 10:10:58

Hi and welcome to the club! I also had my Pm put in on 10-3-11 :) My insision has also healed very well, although like you I have the lump under my skin & it is very tender as well. I don't like to rub my hand across it, but im sure i will get use to it. I spent one day getting dressed, and it seemed everything i put on I could see the lump. It's still too hot in Texas to be wearing a turtleneck....LOL. I have just been wearing my v-neck shirts, and everything i use to wear as I realize this new bestie of mine is not going anywhere and going to be on the left side of my chest forever. Im 47 years old. How old are you? I got my Pm due a low HR of 38. Went to the ER on a friday, and Monday after several days in the hospital I had my Pm put in :)

Debi in Texas

In my case

by sfbaywalk - 2011-10-16 11:10:39

The bump decreased a lot, but is majorly visible to me.

The lifeguards at the pool seem to notice my scar, but not the bump.

We talk about it sometimes, because they are curious about any special first aid needs I might have.

Bump

by ElectricFrank - 2011-10-17 02:10:19

The pacemaker is fairly large as things go in the body. Mine is about 1/4" thick, and while this doesn't seem like much it is very noticeable.

There's no justice. We are told to do self exams to look for lumps, and then they install one. LOL

frank

Submuscular

by DawnM - 2011-10-17 03:10:50

Ladypris,
If it was implanted under the muscle, your doctor likely would have discussed this with you. Under the skin, you may be able to tell the shape of your PM. Under the muscle, it's just a slight raise, but not a noticeable shape. Healing is also a bit longer, due to cutting through muscle to place the PM (but well worth it). My EP discussed this option with me, knowing how concerned I was with the esthetics of having a PM. As I've learned, not all docs discuss this option, as it does require more skill and time to implant.
Dawn

You get used to it

by walkerd - 2011-10-17 06:10:28

I try and get people to feel it all the time, the pm that is, hahahaha. Sorry. lol. I think in time it settles in a little better making it somewhat less noticeable.

dave

Thanks!

by Ladypris - 2011-10-17 06:10:42

@ DawnM, I'm not sure if the PM is under my skin, or muscle, how can you tell?

@ Djtirrell, I can't get over the similarities between you & me! I am 53 years old, and I too had a heart rate of 38. I went to my doctor because of shortness of breath, thinking it was my asthma acting out. She sent we right to the hospital after doing an EKG. I went in on a Thursday, and after numerous blood tests, echo, etc I had my PM put in on Monday. I feel a lot better now that I have my forever friend! :-)

@ sfbaywalk, I hope my becomes less noticeable, as I don't want to have to be so self conscious.

@ ElectricFrank, I know what you mean, I feel like I'm cupping a mini third breast! LOL

What do people notice?

by donr - 2011-10-17 09:10:53

Lady: A few weeks back, a young guy who is a weightliftinf nut wrote about this issue - thinking everyone saw it.

I wrote & told him that NO ONE ever saw the lump unless they were looking for it.

Two days later, I had a chance to prove or disprove my comment. I was in a PT clinic exercise pool w/ a stranger - a woman - for about 20 min. We were chatting about our various ailments. She broke BOTH femurs in a bad landing while skydiving. MY back is deteriorating due to old age (I'm 105 & have been laying tile floors lately. )

She left the pool before I did, but I caught up w/ her in the main room & asked her if she noticed my PM - which is about a yr old after a new battery plant & just a faint white line.

She said no! Now, I can see it, like Frank says & it seems to me to be sticking out like a small mountain, but apparently it's not as obvious as I think!

Don

Not discussed

by Ladypris - 2011-10-17 10:10:58

Well my dr didn't discuss the option with me and I can feel the shape so it's just uder the skin.

Placement?

by DawnM - 2011-10-17 12:10:44

Did you have it implanted under the skin or under the muscle? I had mine implanted under the muscle just less than 5 months ago and it's barely visible. It has settled even a little deeper into the pocket, so is less noticeable now than when it was implanted. I imagine yours will settle a bit more as time goes on. I also had self image issues after my PM, with this scar on my chest, but now, I almost forget it's there.
Best of luck!
Dawn

Perceval

by Perceval - 2011-10-18 04:10:05

Hi

You can definitely see my pacemaker Perceval. I am petite and have not got much fat in the place where it is inserted. It is noticeable but I don't take any notice myself. It is other people that notice it. The Head of Department is a bit squeamish and says 'cover it up' ha ha. Perceval has given me back my old self - I have got my mojo back and I feel like I did a few years back. I am working and enjoying it again because I can breathe and am not constantly fatigued.

My scar and lump is a talking point ;-) .

Sylvia

Love it!

by Ladypris - 2011-10-18 06:10:29

@ Perceval...

I loved that you've named it! Don't think I'm there yet, but I agree, I think it will be other people that will have issue with it more than I will. I try not to think about it, except when I'm deciding what to wear...LOL

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.