Spasms

My 16 year old son had his first pacemaker implanted on July 3 and he has had problems with the bottom lead making his stomach have spasms. The doctor has turned the volts down on the bottom lead to the point that it can't be turned down any lower. He is very skinny and almost six foot tall. We just took him back to the doctor to have it adjusted and if this doesn't work he may have to have the lead repositioned. Has anyone else had this problem?

4 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-13 10:09:34

Unfortunately, that can happen. It's not a large area, and sometimes the leads stimulate something we don't want stimulated. Does he need that lead for pacing? For about a year after initial placement, the leads can easily be repositioned. After that, it's a much more involved process. If he doesn't use it, if he feels good after the adjustment, I would leave it alone. You have time to make a decision.

Yes

by Many Blessings - 2013-09-13 10:09:53

Hi,

Yes, I did have the same problem when I first had mine put in. It's actually one of the more common side effects (I was told) and many others out here have had it as well. I'm thin too, so I wonder if that makes a difference?

Luckily for me, when they turned things down on that lead, it went away. Before they turned things down, they did tell me, sometimes it doesn't go away and they give you the option to live with it, or have the lead repositioned.

Is it constant? Or, just in certain positions? I have on one other occasion, had the diaphragm pacing start up again out of nowhere, but it was only when I bent over forward. Luckily, that time it went away on it's own.

Hopefully, others will have other ideas you can try, since having the lead repositioned isn't a fun option.

Good luck!

Spasms

by lspencer02 - 2013-09-14 09:09:10

Thanks for the replies. The bottom lead is the lead that he needs for pacing, so he need that lead to be turned up. He has the most problem with diaphragm spasms when he gets his heart rate up but he can also be sitting down and feel it.
The doctor wants him to put on some weight and get more muscle mass and hope that helps, if not he may be facing having it reposition.

Lead Impedance and electric shock every 3 hours

by Petit - 2013-09-15 03:09:31

Hi,
I have posted my question today and after saw your post. My son is 16 as well, very skinny and had epicardial PM inserted in Aug. What type of PM insertion your son has? Cardiac technician switched off ventricular lead but my son has electric shocks under diaphragm or as you describe spasms every 3 hours during automatic Lead Impedance check on PM. They are very strong. I should meet with Doctor next week and see what decision will be done if any. I have told to wait and hopefully it will settle down on its own.

I would like to know how leads can be repositioned if they are outside the heart. Does the surgery involves cutting through same scars or it is done by keyhole procedure? Did anyone had this procedure before?
Thank you.

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