sweating,dizziness, severe left arm pain,severe fallscausing injury, and shocks

good day all, i am a 46 yr.old female,i have had my pacer for 2 yrs, and to this day i am having problems daily,cant sleep on left side, the implant rubs my collarbone constantly,i wake up during the night and my heart is racing so severely, my heart dr, says she has done all she can except monitor it, and everytime i go to see her, the guidant person has to reset my pacer, i was never told anything about my insignia being on a recall list until i found it on the internet does any one have any ideas about what i should do.

6 Comments

Sweating, dizziness, etc

by gmnordy - 2007-08-17 02:08:31

Cissyk- I am like you, I have had my pm since 2003 and have had nothing but problems-dizziness every day, bad arm pain, cant sleep, etc. My doctor has monitored mine, reset it many times, etc etc. but I still have no relief.
Are you on a beta blocker? I know my drs suggested one to me because when they monitored mine, I had a lot of ventricular tachycardia (fast heartrate).
I have appt today with EP dr./cardio-hopefully some new drug or treatment came out.
I wish I had some ideas on how to help you.
Good luck, hope you feel better
~Debbi

Recall?!

by ela-girl - 2007-08-17 04:08:10

If I am understanding what you are saying...The thing you said that concerns me the most is that your pacemaker is one on a recall list?? And no one told you?? I would think if this is the case, this may be why you are having problems! I would call your doctor and/or the manufacturer of your pacer.

Keep us posted!
ela-girl

cissyk's multiple problems!

by MJH - 2007-08-17 04:08:19

Cissy: It sounds like you might be in a rural area and need to get to a metro area where the doctors might be more knowledgeable and/or you can get a second opinion. Today I found a forum by accident at clevelandclinic.org when I was looking for information about leads pertaining to my daughter's (age 18) situation. (Please read my "bio" if you want to. It summarizes her history.) I can't remember the specific link, but doctors/nurses (?) were answering questions. Cleveland Clinic is #1 for hearts in the U.S. We've never been there; we live in Nebraska. Please find someone who can be your advocate to get this resolved! I'll be thinking of you..... MJH

continuing problems

by CathrynB - 2007-08-17 05:08:33

Sheesh Cissyk -- that's a terrible story! There's no way you should have to put up with that many problems and pain! If your pacemaker was implanted after it was already on the recall list, I think you need a new doctor AND a lawyer! At minimum if the pacemaker is not solving the problems you were told it would solve, and it's on recall, you should be able to get a new pacemaker out of the doctor and/or manufacturer. I hope Ted will chime in here as he is the Guru of the legal situation regarding recalled pacemakers. I don't have continuing cardiac problems like you do, but I had continuing pain and other impacts like you describe with your pacemaker rubbing on your collarbone (mine was my shoulder) -- my EP worked with me to resolve that problem, and I had it surgically moved to a better location after 6 months and am now pain-free. But if I were you, I'd want a new doctor (an EP) and pacemaker to go along with possible re-location! Please keep us posted on what you learn regarding alternatives and how you're doing! Take care, Cathryn

CissyK's continuing problem

by bowsue - 2007-08-17 07:08:28

I am very sorry to hear of your pain, it robs you of a normal life. Although I think your problems lie with requiring both a new doctor and pacemaker, for what it is worth, herewith how I am solving my pain.

I could not move my upper body from the very day the pacer was installed. The incision had been sealed with glue. After much pain and heartache (the doctors just turned their backs). I went for physical therapy to a private clinic covered by my insurance. The first day there they very gently rubbed the incision and surround area with Tiger balm oil and although it hurt I gradually felt better. I also was put through a series of very simple exercises and now 3 weeks later (after going twice per week) I am using weights, 2-lb ones. They put heat on my upper body and after exercise ice.

I do hope you get some relief from one way or another and God bless you we feel your pain. Marie K, Florida

Recalled Guidant

by ted - 2007-08-18 09:08:42

CathrynB is right. You need to know whether your recalled Guidant was implanted by your doctor after the recall. Some doctors kept implanting recalled Guidant products knowing that there were recalls. Others kept implanting Guidant products before a specific model was recalled but after they knew or should have known that Guidant was discovered to have concealed news of the defects. You need your doctor to explain what he knew and when he knew it. If he implanted any Guidant pacer after he had learned about Guidant's cover-up, see a lawyer. Good luck. Ted

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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