re-install for the 4th time

Just had my pm (double lead, on demand) re-installed for the 4th time, actually 5th time counting the first operation. What is going on? Each time healing gets closer and I feel better, then on a check up the wound is found to be a little bit open -- Dr. could see metal, etc. -- and it's a fast trip back to the or, with of course a month or so of re-healing.

I talked my Dr into inserting it into/under a muscle after hearing that this was an accepted procedure for another Dr. My Drs say it's their normal procedure to set it just under the skin. What are the norms?

5 Comments

pushy

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-17 02:05:55

Never feel bad about standing up for yourself! No one else is going to look after you as well. I would have been having a long talk with them after the second surgery, definitely gone for another opinion after the 3rd.

Have they screened you for infection? Not a quick blood test, but a full screen by an infectious disease specialist. Sometimes it's our build, but sometimes there is something else going on. Hopefully this time will heal well and that will be the end of it! If not, my next move would be a plastic surgeon to see about burying it, and an infectious disease dr to make sure everything is clear.

good idea

by varmit - 2013-05-17 06:05:58

You're right about taking care of ourselves.

Good idea about the infectious desease DR. My cartiologist suggested this as a fall back last time, which got side lined by urgency of an open wound. We're in a small area in the Mojave, so this specialist means special arrangements, travel, etc.

Will bring the proposal up at check-up next week both with the surgeon and with the cartiologist. Thanks for the reminder. .

Under the muscle

by jenny97 - 2013-05-17 09:05:24

I'm surprised that with wound healing problems they haven't already put it under the muscle. If your doctor isn't willing, you should probably get a second opinion.

Mine is under the muscle (although the muscle is so thin you wouldn't think so :) ) and I've never had a problem with pacer wound healing even though I typically have problems with wound healing in general due to another medical condition and being on blood thinners.

Good luck!

mine is under the muscle

by my4turtles - 2013-05-17 12:05:31

Are you a small person? I am ,so my Dr put mine under the muscle. My skin is also very slow to heal and sensative and it did great under the muscle. I would ask for under the muscle or get a new Dr

Thank You

by varmit - 2013-05-17 12:05:48

So glad of your comments. yes, I'm a small person. in fact that was the reason given for such difficulty. will be letting him know of these comments at first visit.

I can understand that a general surgeon would have a one size fits all approach to a given procedure, but you'd think my cardiologist would have given him a heads up or conferred with him on this problem -- they shared the same suite.

Another proof that each of us must be pro-active (I hate these cliches, especially when they are so apt), even "pushy" when it comes to our own health.

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You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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