Right or Left side?

I am having a PM implant on April 16th. I am left handed but have a monitor implant on my left side that will have to come out when PM implanted.
Trying to decide whether I should just have the PM implant on left side since I will have to be cut on that side anyway and I understand the left side is easier for the Doctor to work from.
I have an old rotator cuff injury on my left side which really flared up when they put the monitor in last year and that is also a factor I am wondering about. How bad is it on the shoulder the PM goes in? I as assuming this is going to be more invasive than the monitor implant.

Also, considering whether to push for implant under the muscle. I am active and reading on this site it sounds like quite a few of you recommend that route.

So, would love some input on:
1. Left vs. right side for a left hander.
2. Under muscle vs. just under skin.

this site has been so helpful as I get ready to do the procedure!

6 Comments

Left Handed pacemaker

by Smile7 - 2014-04-05 05:04:42

I have heard that they like to put it on the same side as the heart, but I had a friend who was left handed and they chose to put hers on the right side. Might have done it because they don't want the wires to possibly move when you are more active with the left hand. I remember even tho I was right handed, they put my left arm in a sling for a few days so I would not be tempted to move my arm around and possibly pull the wires out until they would get fixed to the tissue.

pick a side, any side

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-05 07:04:49

They prefer the left because it's closer to the heart. There are a very few drs who do it on the non-dominant side but that never made sense to me. Unless you're a shooter, once it heals it doesn't matter which side it's on. As long as they can do it without messing up your shoulder more, I would stick with the side they're already going in.

If you are active or very thin/small boned, you may find it more comfortable under muscle. Recovery is a little longer but it's not bad at all and most of us find it's well worth it to take a little extra trouble to get it out of the way.

Right or left side?

by iheartemh - 2014-04-05 08:04:42

I am a right-handed person, and my pacemaker was implanted on the right side due to a problem with hearing loss in my right ear. There was concern about my using a cell phone and only having 5" distance from where phone would be from implant if implanted on left side (left ear is what I mostly hear out of). It mostly was an issue the first few days because it made it a bit more difficult for me moving around in bed. I never was given a sling to wear. Some doctors don't want to restrict your movements that much & have things "freeze". To implant on the right side required, I think longer wires.

As to the issue concerning depth of implant, mine is very close to the skin surface. Until recently, I was unaware that this was not the norm for ALL implants. I can tell you that it was sore when I got my first mammogram after my implant (this Feb), and they had to stop. My primary physician was concerned enough that he sent me to a cardiologist (not the one who did the implant). This is when I was told that my implant was close to the skin surface. This doctor's guess was that I probably didn't have enough fatty depth, but couldn't tell why they then didn't bury it under the muscle. I was told if it bothers me & I want to try to bury deeper, they could try. Oh jeez, thanks, but that means going under the knife AGAIN!

I hope more people let you know what they think, judging from their experiences. Good luck with the decision.

Doctors had a discussion

by Theknotguy - 2014-04-05 09:04:52

I'm ambidextrous. Was unconscious when they put in the PM so I didn't get a voice in the matter. They ended up putting it on the left side.

After the 90 day period I was able to do about 90% of the stuff I wanted to do with my left arm. I'm not allowed to shoot with heavy rifles, am not allowed to lift more than 90 pounds with either arm, and have to be careful tossing a ball with my left arm. Other than that, I'm allowed to do just about anything I always did.

It did take longer for me to heal, both because of trauma I received before getting the PM, and because I was using my left arm quite a bit.

Mostly I had a lot of pain in the leads under my collar bone whenever I stressed them too much. So I'd back off for a few days. After the leads healed I didn't have any problems. I can toss the ball for the dogs. No real hard throws, but enough for the dogs to be happy. Also moved some furniture - no problems.

I got the standard implant location. Under the skin and in the implant pocket on my left side next to the shoulder. No problems with the implant site but I can't sleep on my left side. My body pinches on the PM.

I'd discuss with your implant doctor but I feel you could go either side.

Theknotguy

lefty

by robo-ver - 2014-04-06 03:04:24

Hi, I am left handed, had my pacemaker last May (im 29 Yrs), I have my pacemaker on the right side, its not under the muscle.I had a loop recorder removed from the centre of my chest at the same time.

Athough Now, I wouldnt say that it has made a blind bit of differene whether I had it on the left or right side, it did for a good few months after surgery. I found movement of my right arm difficult for about 2 weeks (surgeon cut through muscle although didnt implant under muscle), I then was unable to move my shoulder (after designated 6 week period) for another month and I still dont have full movement (although its not far off now). Its also only in the last 2 or 3 months i Have been able to lay for longer than 30 mins on my right side in bed.
But these are just my experiences. Overall, it has been a very positive experience for me, best of luck, I wish you well, Robo-Ver x

Not a problem on Right

by katz - 2014-04-06 04:04:37

Hi.
I had my PM four months ago in left handed and so i could have full use of my left arm they put PM in Right side no problem. Also i would advise to have under muscle i now wish i had as in 44 still quite active and its just under the skin gets in the way a lot and can be felt a lot. Good Luck Kat x

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