Pacemaker

Hi, I have been reading posts on here for a while now and have really enjoyed the support that is given to each other. I had my 4th pacemaker implanted a week ago Monday, 7/30. It is implanted in my abdominal cavity. So far, so good, everything healing nicely. It has been a long road with a few complications. My body rejected the first two, they were implanted in my shoulder area and the leads through the vein, one in upper chamber and one lower chamber. My body formed blood clots on the wires, so had to be moved. The third time was in my abdomin and the leads on the outside of the heart. I have total heart block and depend on it 100%. Thank God for this wonderful technology.
I just wanted to tell a little about myself, hope I wasn't to chatty.

2 Comments

Epicardial leads

by golden_snitch - 2012-08-08 03:08:43

Hi & Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear that you've had so many complications. Hope the new approach with epicardial leads (on the outside of the heart) and abdominal placement will do the trick, and you'll recover quickly.

I started out with endocardial leads, but now have two epicardial leads, too, one on the left atrium and one on the left ventricle. Pacer unit is placed under the muscle below my left collarbone. Have been thinking about abdominal placement as I think that way I would not pull on the leads so much. I feel them rubbing whenever I take a deep breath in. The incision is below my left breast, but then the leads are tunneled all the way up to the unit. Do you feel the leads? And are you comfortable with the unit in your abdomen?

Best wishes
Inga

Leads

by Bemarie - 2012-08-08 04:08:34

I had more discomfort when my pm was implanted in the shoulder area. I did feel them moving around, or without thinking, would find myself bothering it. When my thoracic surgeon suggested we put it in the abdomin and run the leads on the outside of the heart, I was ready for it. My incision is between my breast and pm is placed just below the rib cage. I don't even know that is there, can't see it but I can feel it if I touch the area it is in.
But I have been very pleased.
Hope u find some relief.
Belinda

You know you're wired when...

Your life has spark.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.