Scared To Death Of Lead Extraction

Hi Group -

I am new to this site so first let me say thanks for reading this. My name is Sarah and I am a 34 mother of two little boys that are 6 and 3 and a beautiful step daughter who is also 3. I have my hands full to say the least. I have been batter powered, as my oldest would say, since I was 13. I have been through many different batteries but am on my initial set of leads from 21 years ago. I am going in next Monday to have the leads removed and new ones put in. Due to how long I have had them as well as the extensive scar damage in my sub clavian I am scared to death. I love how the doctors prescribe meds to calm your nerves and go tell you to enjoy your week before surgery. I am writing letters and trying my best to not break down. There is so much I still want to do. I am looking for support from others out there that have gone through this. Reading about the procedure online through medtronic and webmd makes me want to scream. Any suggestions or stories where things went well. I welcome anything at this point. It's hard to talk to my family because none of them know the joys of being battery powered. I am signed up for the IronMan next year and hope to get back to living. Just scared right now and could use some support.

Thanks for reading this! I look forward to hearing from some of my other battery powered new friends :)

Sarah

8 Comments

Leads

by cans624 - 2013-06-15 04:06:34

I am just as scared as you are I have had my pacer for 10 years already and 1 replacement but no lead extraction yet so please let us know how things go I was told it was the same as the first placement but its different for everyone I guess and glad you found the group It sure has helped me a lot

Hi Sarah

by Jax - 2013-06-15 05:06:35

I have not had alead extraction but I remember several members who did. I'm sure they'll stop by.
There's a new way that they do the extraction now where it isn't as dangerous as it was. I believe it was some type of sheath that they use.
You can also go to the top right of the pm home page and search for lead replacement or lead extraction and you should find a lot of info.
Of all the members we have most sailed through their lead extraction.

lead replacement

by azkat - 2013-06-15 08:06:44

Hi, I had my pacemaker put in dec 2011. The lead came loose, I had a sudden cardiac death. I'm not trying to scare you. I had a lousy dr. After getting it repaired by a different dr I'm fine. I had 5 repairs done I remember. The last one they put in new leads. It was easy. I asked to be put to sleep. I'm a chicken. I'm ok now. You'll do fine.

Lead Removal !

by donb - 2013-06-16 01:06:10

Hi Sarah, Just read your post which is for "real" for me also at this time. I did some research & also had referances from my daughter-in-law who works with Dr. Randy Lieberman, a top Michigan EP & is now my Dr. of 2 weeks. He took out my 5th PM near 2 weeks ago & the leads. As 1 lead showed minute infection at the tip (Heart end), I'm now on Vancomycin. Also I'm still in the Harper University Hospital in Detroit.
As I'm also 21 years of pacemakers, I still have my old leads on my left side which a Plastic surgeon cut making it nearly impossible for any surgeon to pull the leads even using the new laser method. As in your case as has been posted before finding a good EP who has done many laser extractions would be good.
I must mention I did Google to find Dr. Lieberman & Harper hospital, excellent source of info. Also, any questions, private message me as I expect to be home in a day or so as I'll be on Vancomycin IV for 4 to 6 weeks before I get my 6th PM. & leads.
DonB

Sarah...........

by Tattoo Man - 2013-06-16 02:06:11


.................I go with all the above advice. Sure it does feel a bit scary but it is a 'standard' procedure for surgeons with enough experience..so check out the surgeons track-record.

I had leads taken out in January and a new RH Box and leads in my RH shoulder...total success.

I asked for a GA and am glad that I did ...I am a crap patient and wriggle about too much !!

Let us know how you get on. Lead removal is by no means unusual but seems to generate lots of concerns. I think this is because we get used to having the thing there and , understandably don't want it messed about with.

Sorry if I missed something , but why does your rig need to come out ? I had a Box infection.

Good luck with the Iron man !

Tattoo Man...geriatric UK runner.

Thank You Everyone!!

by shn579 - 2013-06-17 03:06:14

Thanks so much everyone for your comments. I have to have my leads removed because they need to place a new device on my right side. My left side has been used for 21 years already and the muscle just can't hold it anymore. I developed scar tissue around the leads in the sub clavian so I'm a bit nervous about the extraction. I'll keep you all posted as to how it goes next week. Thank you so much again for all your responses. It feels better to know I'm not alone :)

Hope you all enjoy your Monday!!!

Sarah

Both myself and my sister

by anitav - 2013-07-09 08:07:58

Being competitive both my sister and I have had our leads removed successfully. Both in Brisbane,Australia, both due to infection. I was private and she public. However my Dr didn't have laser and I wish I had done my research prior to the event and gone elsewhere. However we both have done well and had no problems since. She has just come back from Morrocco and travelled extensively and I have just sailed from Sydney to Brisbane where my partner and I bought a yacht. We were 53 and 49 at the time. But I was scared *****and that is so so natural. Ask the questions, know you will be scared but know you have no choice and have faith in your Dr. Get an experienced one with the latest equipment. I am checking this site so I have more knowledge if it happens again as I have a few inches of my old one which means I will have to have surgery to remove if it happens again, invasive into the heart muscle. Just went to NZ for holiday and swam in the hotpools. Rang my sister for her opinion and she said she had a swim in Spain and as long as I had not cuts.......... It never leaves you but there is so much to enjoy in life. You are young, so much to live for, feel the fear and embrace it as it shows you are normal, but rise above it. Everytime you feel scared turn your mind to positive and joyful things. cheers Anita ps/ in hindsite don't bother swimming in hotpools as the fear afterwards wasn't worth it and probably not that sensible really.

lead removal

by berniewernie - 2015-09-20 05:09:03

Hi I am having my pacer replaced and put on the RH side and the old LH side pacer and leads being removed on October 12th and Im scared too, very scared.

I had my first pm last October and it was very prominent, then they reburied it this May and now the leads are in a tangled bulge on top both sides of it and my screwheads are very near the surface.

I really dont want a another op, my third in under 12 months but they say its best for me.

I am wondering if I could go on as I am, but, I know my pm site as it is, is very vulnerable to injury!!

xx

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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.