Does your Defib move around?

Hi, I am new to the group. My story is that I went into vtac as I was riding my bike along the beach path here in Huntington Beach, California on 8/31/13. I had no clue what was wrong. No history of any heart trouble. I continued to ride for 4 miles to meet my riding buddy. I knew it was serious- we called 911. The EMT's were there in less than 5 min. They knew what was wrong. In less than 10 min they had given me amniodorone, and got my back to regular beats. I spent 3 days in cardiac care at HOAG hospital. Got a clean bill of health on my arteries, but got my defibulator implanted on 9/1. I have returned to my normal exercise routine- which includes riding my bike to the gym daily, yoga practice weekly and weight lifting. Skiing is coming up (still not committed to that yet, who can relate?). When doing yoga my defib moves around, to high it touches my collarbone and freaks me out. I can feel it move up when I lay down to sleep and it feels like it has slipped down in my pocket if that makes sense. No heart problems, but want to know I am not alone in this experience. Would appreciate any and all comments, feedback support. I know how much group support helps on lots of levels. Glad I found you guys- oh and one more thing. Here in California when you get a defib you can't drive for 6 months. I have until March 1- wow grateful I have so many retired friends. :).

13 Comments

Mine moves

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-12 06:12:22

When I lay down or laying on certain exercise machines mine can shift. Sometimes towards my underarm or up, down or out. lol

There are times it sticks out more than usual. Crazy body of mine!

Welcome to the club.....and your "new normal".

Grateful Heart

Lucky...

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-12 07:12:30

We truly are. They are amazing devices.

I just turned 57... years young.

It must be in our choice of monikers. :)

Grateful Heart

Welcome Grateful Girl

by Marie12 - 2013-12-12 07:12:30

Yes, they do move. Especially at first. I've had mine since early July (at age 53) and it took until about the end of October before the ICD actually found it's home. It still does move sometimes like it did today. At first I would drive in my husband's truck placing my hand over the ICD to keep it in place. Don't need to do that anymore.

It has either found it's home or I've gotten use to it. Either way....it's all good.

New normal!!

by GratefulGirl - 2013-12-12 07:12:57

Dear Grateful Heart- thank you for sharing.So comforting to know I am among others experiencing the same New Normal! Thats so funny you should use that phrase, I use it all the time when talking to my clients- we are the lucky ones for sure, having these devices to provide prolonged lives.

Grateful Girl

P.S. I meant to mention that I am 55 years young.

Helllo

by mytrose43 - 2013-12-12 08:12:06

Hi my pacemaker has been n since 2005 and i have had issues with it turning on its side once in a while but other than tha i have not felt it moove any other way it is a strange feeling when you wake up and it is standing out on its side and sticks out like a sore thumb but once up it always settles back in to its normal location.Good luck
Valerie

Thank you!!!!!!

by GratefulGirl - 2013-12-13 06:12:11

Thank you so very much for this very helpful information. I never thought about the cold being a factor regarding muscles. Or my change from taking HRT to not taking it at all and the hot flashes occurring all day and all night with the night sweats being a factor to my ICD. I love the little helpful tips toward supporting and accepting this new device that you do, from the shawl to stretching in the am for your chronic pain. The bed is great info as well. And the wearing the elastic bandage - genus!! Oh and the back pack comment is super helpful as well.
Yes I do need to experiment for sure. I keep thinking that its no big deal and like the doctor said one day I will forget about my near death experience and the ICD- really????? He is not the one living like this…..
So grateful I found this group

Mine has moved also

by Ger - 2013-12-14 05:12:30

Had my PM installed in Jan., 2012. The incision has faded to where it is practically invisible but thePM seems to have slipped a little south. Guess my 83-year old muscles ain't what they used to be!!!!!!

Hi GG.............

by Tattoo Man - 2013-12-16 03:12:41


....................now last year my PM started moving about. It was installed in 2010 and, as a runner, sometimes it would bounce around...ok till is made an escape attempt.

Surgeon NOT happy.....

In Jan I had a whole new rig in my RH shoulder...this time Sutured In.

10000% better...no more bouncing..this 'Box is well and truly bolted in...

Just a thought...do we tell our surgeons about our lifestyles ??...my surgeon is also a runner, he ' got it' straightaway.

There are lots of runners on this Forum and I think that some thought should be given to how securely the 'box should be fixed in. This goes for just about anybody that is active.

I cannot overstress just how much this has made me 'at one' with my PM.

Best wishes to all....HEY....Christmas but a few days away !!

Tattoo Man


Movement

by Sparkie - 2014-01-04 04:01:02

I had the CRD-T implanted 6 wks ago. I am very happy to read all the responses about the PM shifting.
It freaked me out the first time it happened. I leaned forward and I thought it was going to pop out. It happened 4wks post op. I could feel the entire device. I called the EP doctor`s nurse and she said this is normal. It would be nice if they could give patients a list of things to expect that are normal. So SO happy this is the norm! It still freaks me out thou ! :)
I go for my first echo and check up this Monday. I have a list of questions that I must compile and make the doctor answer them.
Good Luck to All. Have a Healthy Happy New Year!

Sparkie

Shifting PM

by Marianyork - 2014-01-04 08:01:07

Received my PM 6 weeks ago and was relieved to read that some of them do shift around. Last week it felt like it was moving to my underarm, but the next morning it was back to the normal place again. Sometimes it feels like it get squashed between my shoulder bone and my clavicle especially when I move my arm across my body. It will sometimes fee very uncomfortable to a while after that.
Going for my check next week and was going to ask if this was normal.

Thanks for sharing
I know that it at least happens to some

Maz

Shifting PM

by Marianyork - 2014-01-04 08:01:25

Received my PM 6 weeks ago and was relieved to read that some of them do shift around. Last week it felt like it was moving to my underarm, but the next morning it was back to the normal place again. Sometimes it feels like it get squashed between my shoulder bone and my clavicle especially when I move my arm across my body. It will sometimes fee very uncomfortable to a while after that.
Going for my check next week and was going to ask if this was normal.

Thanks for sharing
I know that it at least happens to some

Maz

Pacemaker moving

by Dawnie3 - 2018-11-14 17:05:16

I have had mine one week and am tired of it shifting so much. It should not be normal that it slides so much and it hurts a lot. Maybe it hurts me because it is a new placement but I do not want mine moving around like this. :'( 

PM Movement

by katmer59 - 2024-03-01 12:54:29

@mytrose43

Mine did that "stand on its side" thing last night while sleeping and it was freaky. I pushed it back into place. I guess I have to be more careful about putting my arm under my pillow. It was implanted July 2023.

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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