Second pacemaker in 3 yrs

Happy New Year !
I just wanted to share with everyone that I have always been a competetive athlete..both college and Professional..I was diagnosed with 'Dilated Cardiomyopathy' in 2009 and recieved my first 'Medtronic' pacemaker/defiberlator....after recieving it, it took awhile for me to return to a somewhat normal life...I went back to the gym and learned to use my learned athletic skills to help me stay in great shape thru workout and diet...however, on November 10th/2012...I noticed one of my lead wires coming thru my chest...please check your device daily as I never thought anything like that would ever happen....I had to have it removed and I recieved a 'New Improved' version on the opposite side...since my surgeries, I have almost returned to a somewhat normal life again..not as tired as before....I guess my point is....always check your device after showering....my wire exposure was just a freak malfunction according to my Dr...however, my point is....Im alive to raise my son, and spend time with my lovely wife...just remember, it can always get worse as my first pacemaker was damn good...but, my new one is alot better and I feel I have overcome alot of things I experienced with my first one..i.e. 'Panic Attacks' , fear of crowds....traveling etc....Life gets better ! NEVER GIVE UP !


8 Comments

Good Advice!

by Many Blessings - 2013-01-01 09:01:09

Congratulations on how well things turned out for you! That's awesome! And, thank you for posting your experience with your lead. That's something I've never thought to look for at all.

When I had my last PM check, the tech was telling me about another patient of hers who fell pretty hard on his rear end. He didn't hurt that, but he did pull out a PM lead. She said she's never seen that happen in her entire career, and has always thought it couldn't happen, but now she's seen it for herself.

So, there's one more thing for all of us to be cautious of. Not that any of us want to worry ourselves sick about these things, but we should all know what to watch out for and be cautious of.

Thanks again for your interesting post! I wish you and everyone else a happy, healthy 2013!

detached lead/exposed wire

by hammer - 2013-01-01 11:01:18

Thanks Tammy ! Hello Abbass...I discovered a white wire coming thru my chest right where it attached to my pacemaker....it looked like an ingrown hair at first...then, I moved it and could see inside my pacemaker pocket....kinda scared me a bit....however, I thought Id just go to my cardiologist and get some stitches to keep it all together...when I was sent to actual ER at the hospital here...an Expert Heart Surgeon was waiting for me as they thought I would have a very bad infection in my heart...after checking, the 'white wire' was actually a protector of my pacemaker wires leading away from the pacemaker/defib itself...and they have 'wings' on them to keep the wires in place between your skin and chest muscles.....it was one of those wings supposedly that worked its way thru my skin...I did notice a blister a week prior to finding this wire...and I could see all my leads due to being in top shape and having very little fat in my body...but, on the night I discovered the 'white wire' I had just gotten out of the shower....and my skin was soft.....my Dr put the 'new and improved' one in on the opposite side..and cut the 'wings' off the protecter wires that protect the 'leads'.....I know it wasnt from exercising as it would have been sudden.....I guess I was a special case..however, I had to have major surgery to remove it..and wait a week in the hospital til I healed up enuff to be able to recieve my second one...I hope this helps anyone with 'lead or wire' questions....because that surgery was very painful !
My best advice to anyone with lead or wire problems would be to seek immediate medical attention if you think something could be wrong...because if infection sets in...it makes it alot worse...luckily I was very healthy and in shape when this took place..or things could have been different....Stay informed of your device..because things like this happen, and some devices have been recalled, and alot of people have no clue..like you said in your statement above..bottom line, I am fine now...and my family is very happy for that...just wouldnt wish all the pain I experienced in the hospital on anyone ! Best wishes to you both on the upcoming new year, and be HEALTHY ! Life is too short, stay in the game...and NEVER GIVE UP ! :)
HAMMER

Detached lead?

by abbassbagheri - 2013-01-01 11:01:28

Hello hammer,
Could you tell us when your lead wire detached from the wall of your heart was it hung loose in your heart, or actually perforated your heart muscle and went thru your chest cavity.
If the lead is detached, it should stay in one of your heart chamber but if they found the tip in your chest cavity then it must have perforated your heart muscle. Did Xray help differentiate which was the case? Do you have any idea what caused the detachment perhaps a vigorous exercise?
Bottom line, you are fine and that's really what matters.
Happy New year

Abbass

Freaked out!

by marideath - 2013-01-02 02:01:44

I got a boston scientific in november 2011, got infected, almost went blind from Zyvox, then got Picc line. So far so good, but my heart rate rarely goes up from sixty. I tried to join a gym and I can bike till 80 cardiac, then heart does not profuse enough blood to keep my big body going. I am completely breathless (also have asthma). I have lost forty pounds and would like to feel better, but is this all hopeless? cuz I am just about ready to give up. All I do is spend money, time and frustration worrying about crap I cannot seem to change. As far as lead wire coming out, that would do it for me. All done. then!

Itching since implanted

by On Borrowed Time - 2013-01-02 03:01:29

I received my device in 2008--a standard Medtronic pacemaker with 3 wires. Since the time of having the stitches taken out, a spot right over the lead connector has had this incredible itching to whee I will scratch it bloody to try to get it stopped, and that does calm the itch. I have done this too many times now and the scar seems to be getting very thin and the lead is very palpable thru the scar and a bit visible as it is white. It hasn't broken completely through yet but my cardiologist and pacer people seem unconcerned. I still have about 21/2 years on this battery until I go in for service. Did your scar or lead site itch at all prior to the wire poking through your skin? This really concerns me due to my 100% dependency.

itching

by hammer - 2013-01-02 10:01:18

Good day 'Borrowed Time'...Yes, I had itching that lasted for weeks until it finally broke thru....and I too could see my leads very easily thru my skin...but, did not think it was of any concern due to me having hardly any body fat...however, when the wire finally came thru....my Cardiologist's P/A was very surprised, and sent me to immediate surgery..Id get a second opinion..and good luck ! Wishing you all the best !

exposed wire

by abbassbagheri - 2013-01-02 11:01:36

Thanks for explaining your situation in detail. Good luck and I promise I'll check my PM pocket everyday.

Abbass

Freaked out !

by hammer - 2013-01-03 10:01:22

Hello marideath,
Wow ! you have been thru alot ! however, dont think youre wasting your money on losing weight and exercise, I invite you to know that thru a good diet and cardio and exercise, hardly anyone can tell I am disabled, please stick with it, and start slow, it will take awhile, however, in the long run, you will feel and look so much better....NEVER GIVE UP ! being in shape is what saved my life ! Good luck in the new year and all the best to you !

You know you're wired when...

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Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.