SCREWHEADS



Help... does any one elses screwheads almost poke through the skin at the top of their pacers? My first pm was put in last October and had to be re-buried in May this year as it was very protruding and the screwheads were visible. Now its happening all over again and I am so fed up and sad about it. I am thin to say the least weigh about 8 stone and am 5ft 4 so quite small all over with no fatty tissue in which to bury it really. I do feel better with it but my consultant promised me it wouldnt happen again and now I can clearly see the screwheads and the pm is uncomfy. I also have two bulges one each side on top of the pm one bigger than the other... the pm team tried telling me its my leads??!! Anyone else had the same problem? Thanks xx

5 Comments

Infection

by doublehorn48 - 2015-08-16 02:08:35

My pm started moving and got over close to my shoulder. The skin got red and thin.

The surgeon's nurse told me to get in as quick as possible. I got to the hospital the next day after driving several hundred miles.

At 6 o'clock that evening I thought I would finally be given something to eat. My surgeon came in and told me I would be the last person to go to the OR. He said if the pm broke through the shin that infection could travel down the leads into my heart. If that happened I would be in the ICU for weeks with the infection.

I went to the OR at 10 o'clock. If you can see the screws, well I've told my story.

Hi Bernie.....

by Tattoo Man - 2015-08-16 03:08:05


....PM placements are generally sited to make future battery replacements as easy as possible.....this means that they are generally positioned sub-cutaneously...

Now if , like me, a mere 60 kg / 9 + stone then you don't have much flesh coverage.

The guys above have made good observations...in my view,..any change of condition should be carefully monitored ..be it days or years after implant.

Get checked out..these little babies,like my first one,..sometimes make a bid for freedom....result...infection..extraction..aaall the crap that you do not need.

I am sure that it will be ok but the ball is in your court ...do the right thing

Best wishes

Tattoo Man...on holiday in France

:Poor choice of site

by donb - 2015-08-16 03:08:11

Sorry to read your posting of implant site problems. As I have been through 6 pacemakers since 1992 with 5 eroding & also infection. As I'm also skinny and having infection develop I finally moved on to a top surgeon who specializes doing implants in problem patients. After 7 weeks of antibiotic treatment I was fitted with my 6th pacemaker in my right lower abdomen (belly implant). Ya, original implants years ago were put in lower belly, especially infants.
My 2 local Cardiologist now both confirm that with "our" build I should never had chest implants. I am happy to be alive, active & comfortable. I have no limitations with activities, can sleep in any position & most of all no discomfort. As I now have developed a roll of fat over my implant which also was buried under muscle, I no longer even think of housing a pacemaker. I have changed my wearing a belt to suspenders as I have narrow hips which really gives me complete comfort.
DonB

SCREWHEADS

by berniewernie - 2015-08-16 09:08:00


Gee thanks everyone I am so grateful. I am a tad cheesed off with my consultant as he is very "off handed" when dealing with my problem now so I am going to go in with head held high and not back down until he can state he has a solution for me!!

I guess it is a challenge implanting skinnies like myself so wonder why not the tummy in the first place... oh yes ease for the replacement of batteries...

My appointment is 6th September so not too long to wait. I will definitely go if these screwheads seem any more ready to poke through my skin. Thanks everyone I will be in touch.

xxx

Protruding lead and pacemaker movement

by dkburnes - 2015-08-17 06:08:44

Thanks to all of you for your comments. They are very helpful. I just posted a concern about my pacemaker moving along with one of the leads. The lead had a small bump initially but now has a loop that is also protruding and hitting my shoulder bone. I feel a pinch in my neck and shoulder when I wake up in the morning. Is this something I should have the cardiologist see?

You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

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