Pacemaker moved???

Good morning,

Had pacemaker fitted 3/24, everything seemed good, but last week just one little part of the incision hadn't healed a little bit of puss an blood came out, nurse called antibiotics called in and drs apt tomorrow, BuT every time I move I find the whole pacemaker site sore, it feels like the device has moved and is hitting. Something it shouldn't. Rather than being slightly lower than the collar bone it feels like like its hitting it, I can't get comfy or lie on my side, I don't think it should still be bothering me after all this time should it? I'm also having weird pains almost underneath the breast deep in side and on the left hand side. Not sure if I'm just being anxious or this is "normal" any one had similar things happen?

4 Comments

Stitches

by NiceNiecey - 2014-05-04 11:05:30

I think the doc that places the PM puts a stitch or two on the inside to "anchor" the device and keep it from moving about. I wonder if yours wasn't stitched in well enough which certainly might cause it to move up toward your collar bone.

Antibiotics are one thing but a "roaming" device is another. I'm sure they'll want to see you so I'd pursue it sooner than later.

Good luck!
Niecey

Traciek !!

by donb - 2014-05-04 12:05:43

Hi Tracie, I just read your posting & want to share what I've learned over the past 22 years of pacemaker life. I am now on my 6th implant in my abdomen as I've used up both left
and right chest sites with traveling pacemakers including erosion & infection. If you care to venture you may want to do the "search" upper right corner & type in my ID as (DonB).
As you should really go back to your implant surgeon & get this looked at for any signs of infection. Since you mentioned drainage there could be a chance of infection and this should not be ignored. I have one word which I will not tolerate, that your implant site is "Fine".
In the process of healing of your site you have scar tissue form around your pacemaker to form a pouch. As we're not all built the same, especially if we're skinny & also very active this will agrivate the healing process. Hopefully you understand that I don't want to alarm you & chances are everything will be OK but just be aware of the word "Fine" I know I have quite a few members on this site who will share my thoughts on this. I also invite you to "Private Message" me any time for any questions as this sharing is what we're all doing.
DonB

Pacemaker moved

by ladysmom - 2014-05-05 07:05:45

Hi, I am on my third pm.
My second one moved about two inches downward.
I had pain when going over rough roads and on the riding mower if I went in third gear.
Sadly both my GP and cardio didn't really think much of my complaints.
Then I had to get a new one, battery running low.
The excellent Scots cardio,,who was here in Canada on a course or something, replaced the old one.
He said the old one had moved so to ensure the new one did not move, he buried it deep in the muscle.
It's stayed put.
I don't know why it moved.

As to infection, don't mean to frighten you, but it can be serious.
I had an infection when my first one was implanted and my doctor took it very seriously. And I was on antibiotics ASAP.....
Best to you.

Got it checked

by Traciek - 2014-05-21 08:05:05

Thank you for your replies, I did get this checked, and no it hasn't moved but I do have infection, it's bad enough that they are considering removal and re implanted on the right hand side I have two weeks of antibiotics and if it's still sore after that, it's got to go!

Thank you so much for the advice, in this case it was spot on.

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