Painful scar tissue?

I am on my third pacer...I had it implanted in 2011 having had my second one for 17 years..?
I experience a lot of discomfort near the site, and have for the three years I've had it. I have had two different doctors tell me it is "just" scar tissue.
After 17 years, you can well imagine that my doctor had great difficulty getting the former pacer out, so I am sure there IS a lot of scar tissue.
But , I just don't feel this is "normal".
Don't know what to do. It has hurt so much, I was afraid to have my last mammogram....so I didn't,
Has anyone had this same experience with the pain? Any suggestions? I think I will go back to my new doctor soon if I can't decide that this is "normal"...?
Thanks...

3 Comments

been there, done that

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-24 04:02:13

After I got my third one, which was at 14-15 yrs so about the same length of time as you, it gradually got more and more uncomfortable over the next few years. I wouldn't say painful, more uncomfortable and achy. Alternating heat and ice would help some.A lead went bad so that battery didn't last long. When it needed replaced (3 years ago), the ep brought in a plastic surgeon to clean up the pocket, get rid of the scar tissue and start fresh. Now it feels great again.

If you don't want the mammo, ask for an ultrasound. Esp if it's that painful, don't assume it's the scar tissue. My ep sent me for a mammo and u/s before the last surgery. He wanted to be sure nothing else was causing the pain.

My rep said that it's actually pretty easy to get it out when it's been in a long time. He likened it to opening a zipper, the scar tissue makes a stiff pocket and the pm pops right out. It will thicken over time.

How much time is left on your battery? I got lucky (I guess that's the right word lol) in that the battery went before I had to make a decision if I could deal with it long term or wanted to get it taken care of sooner. I was able to kill two birds with one stone.

thanks for the response

by imtea10 - 2014-02-25 08:02:39

So glad to hear from someone so soon, thank you for this response.
I assume it's scar tissue because , well, the doctors have both told me that...and it was seen in a mammogram I had in 2012...in fact they redid the mammogram because of it.
I have a lot of time on this battery , Im sure. As I just got the pacer in Oct of 2011...and I seem to only have 1% usage....that's why my last pacer lasted 17 years.
But the information you gave me is most valuable and I think I will be discussing some of this with my doctor. Im not going to just let him send me out of the office with the "Well....scar tissue.." shrug., Im just too uncomfortable.
Thanks so much, Im glad I found this website.
I've had a pacer for 28 years, and never really had anyone to discuss it with. This website will do nicely.

plastic surgeon

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-25 09:02:04

Talk to a plastic surgeon, not the ep. Ep's are good at hearts, plastic surgeons are good at making things look and feel good.

So glad you found us!

You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

Member Quotes

I consider my device to be so reliable, that I never think about a failure.