Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris (PRP)

I have developed PRP in November 2012. It is a very rare skin disorder. My body has rejected the pacemaker 3 times over 18 month periods. My 3rd pacemaker was inserted in August 2009. it was placed behind the Pectoril muscle, 18 month later my body rejected it by piercing it's way right through the skin, where it was visible. The 4th pm was inserted March 2011 deep into the chest area. My Cardiologist assured me that it would not be able to come through the body again. In November 2012. I developed PRP., my thoughts are that this is a reaction instead of rejection. I have a suspicion that I am allergic to one of the metals used in the Medtronic pm being either Chrome, Nickel or Titanium, I am waiting for the blood results to see if this is so. Does anyone know of a similar condition that I am experiencing, or of another pm that does not contain any of the above metals.

4 Comments

PM Rejection

by donb - 2013-01-23 07:01:33

Hi, I guess I should feel fortunate as I/ve gotten 3 1/2 years from my last 2 PMs'. I've gone the alergy testing route which showed only "soft plastic" sensitivity with my 3rd PM. I have a keloid problem & also develop lots of scar tissue surrounding my implants. Just recently my 4th PM which was under muscle implant also moved from it's pocket resulting in replacement again. Seems like I can't get any answers from my surgeons. As I had used up my left chest sites my 4th PM was put in my right chest under muscle.
So, again I have no answers with my 5th implant. As for an old person I'm physically very active so I blame my right handed tugging, lifting & pullling but it just seems that after almost reaching the 4 year mark, almost always find this rejection. Fortunately I've gotten by without any infection as antibiotics were used prior & after each surgery. I'm also in need for answers with this condition. I'm sure there are many other patients having this problem. My early PMs' were sutured in place. My last 2 under muscle were not sutured.
DonB

Thinking of you.

by MsJanet - 2013-01-23 12:01:28

Sorry I don't have an answer for you, but I wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and I am praying for an answer to help you get through this.

allergic to nickel

by clairenorm - 2013-02-08 03:02:31

Hi this is my first comment.
ive had my pm 10 years all 10 years ive had infections on my pm site every 6-10 weeks making me feel ill. at last after 10 years they sent me for skin testing. today i had the results im allergic to nickel. i have to wait till next friday to speak to doctor. i dont know how much nickel is in a pm and also the leads but i know it contains nickel in the leads. hopefully now i will get it changed without nickel.
keep you informed. starting to make sense.

Vic Hurford

by victor - 2013-02-09 05:02:57

Thanks for your replies, Vic's blood test came back and guess what, yes he is highly allergic to titanium and border line to chrome. We are now waiting for a pacemaker to be custom made in the USA, it can take up 6 to 8 weeks, in the meantime Vic continues to suffer with this dreadful Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris skin disease, obviously his body has reacted instead of rejected. But now there is light at the end of the tunnel as the new pacemaker will be free of titanium and hopefully this awful disorder will go. I urge anyone out there who's body is rejecting a pacemaker to have either a skin allergy or blood test for Chrome, Nickel, Titanium.
I will keep you all informed

Lana Hurford

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!