PM allergy?

I have an appointment w/an allergist this coming Monday, to see if I am allergic to any of the pacemaker components. But, he can only test for 3 of them - titanium, iridium and dexamethasone. There are many others for which he cannot test.
I am scheduled to have the pm moved from the left to the right side on June 10.
Is it worth a 400 mile round trip to test for only those 3?
Has anyone out there had an allergic reaction to their pm?
My "new" symptoms are worsened fatigue, nausea, sweating, and cold hands. Maybe others I can't think of right now.
The device has to be moved because it is not implanted properly.
Thanks for any thoughts.
TL

2 Comments

Been There

by donb - 2013-05-31 11:05:12

Hi Tigerlily, Just remembered I posted the other night & lost the message when putting the spam code.
I had pacemaker erosion in 2009 & had to have mine removed. At that time I also had alergy tests done as I had material samples from both medtronic & St. Jude. In my case I was slightly sensitive to "soft plastics". Leads are covered with silicone, a form of plastic & terminals where leads plug into the pacemaker are also plastic which can give trouble.
As I'm into the same situation having my 5th pacemaker pulled which is only 6 months ago implant. Again they're also looking for alergy problems. As my left chest is used up with previous implants I'll have major revision in my right chest as they found my atrial lead also bad. My surgery is scheduled June 17th. My whole problem is I'm skinny, no fat & my surgeons have never secured my implants. My present one took a ride into my armpit a couple months ago while sleeping on my implant right side.
I might also mention another possible problem I may have had with my 3rd PM eroding was it had a fracture in the insulation of 1 of the leads which my Cardiologist was aware of but attached it to the other for support. Good old friend "Electric Frank" put me wise as body fluids are electrically conductive & with each pulse this can raise havoc with surrounding tissue. Ya, Now come to think of it , my atrial lead now is bad & needs replacement as they found with interogation. I'll have to remind my "NEW" surgeon what happened with my 3rd PM. Good Luck & keep us posted.
DonB

I had testing

by my4turtles - 2013-06-03 12:06:31

If you think you might me than yes its worth the drive..My Dr tested me for EVERYTHING not just the pacemaker components. The one thing i would point out is if you are allergic to anything and have contact with that item after you can have a bad reacthion.. Believe me ... I had testing in December and still have breakouts in my back and shoulders and its so hard to figure out what is doing it as i had so many things on me.. I pretty much itch non stop. But i wll say its worth it to see if your allergic to your pacemaker. I did find out im allergic to metals.. nickel, potassium,eopxy resin,latex, and someother stuff that i have no idea what they are.. But my Dr tell me it has nothing to do with my pacemaker !! But i still wonder as my pacemeker site heats up at times and gets red

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I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.