actual size

Hello guys. I recently got my pacemaker. I have a St. Jude Pacemaker, model 5826. Anyone else with the same? The reason I'm asking is because I thought, or at least how the doctor describe it, the pacemaker was suppose to be 2 inches long and 2 inches in hight. I was showering the other day and it felt more like 4 inches wide and hight to. I don't know if this is the correct size, but I was expecting something a lot smaller. Its causing me some anxiety. Any input anyone? Thanks.

8 Comments

Size

by Rogue427 - 2014-05-30 03:05:48

I have the St. Jude CD2257-40Q Its about 2 1/4 by 2 1/2.
You get use to it. Only time I rember its there is when I put my seatbelt on.

Size

by golden_snitch - 2014-05-30 05:05:16

Hi!

Your pacemaker's dimension is 44 x 52 x 6mm, weight is 23.5g, and volume is 11cc. So, it's about the size your doctor told you. This is a typical pacemaker size. Some are a bit smaller, some are a bit bigger. My last pacer was supposed to be the smallest dual-chamber pacemaker, and it had a volume of 8cc. My new one is about 12cc.

What exactly is causing you anxiety? It can take some time to get used to this device under your skin or muscle. There is no general rule how long, everyone is different. Some feel fine straight away, others need a couple of weeks or months. But many patients eventually come to the point where they hardly feel their device or are aware of it any longer.

Best wishes
Inga

Hi

by at120uk - 2014-05-30 05:05:48

It will feel bigger because its inside your pectoral muscle. So you are feeling a lot of muscle as well as the 2 x2 PM
Its inside the pec, to give it some protection.
Try not to mess with it too much, you may damage the lead connections on the top.

Thank you Guys

by GC27 - 2014-05-30 10:05:04

Guys, thank you for the info I feel better. I feel anxitey because I feel like I got the wrong device or something. I know this sounds crazy, but this whole ordeal has been so difficult on me. I was given a heart monitor, I wore it for a day and then I truned it back. Within the hour I get a call that I needed a pacemaker ASAP! The next day I had the surgery. I was so shock with the news, I did not think straight so I really did not ask the right questions to my doctor before the surgery.Now that I have it I'm having all these questions. I been diagnosed with bradycardia by the way.

The more I learned

by KAG - 2014-05-30 11:05:07

about my PM, the more comfortable I felt with it. I think knowing at least the basics of how they work takes away a lot of anxiety.

Many on this site were very surprised in getting a PM. I was. I had no idea I had any heart issues and in 3 weeks I got my little buddy. Definitely learned a lot about the heart and it's electrical system, which I had no clue about before this. You can look on-line for info, ask questions on this site or search on this site for topics. I actually got my Medtronics clinical manual which has everything about my model, from installing to programming to data analysis. I'm a retired engineer so more data is better.

Take Care
Kathy

difficult ordeal

by bluebowtye - 2014-05-30 11:05:44

Hi,

I know how shocking it can be to be told you need a PM asap without much warning. The same thing happened to me and it was very hard to cope mentally thinking I was fine and my heart was healthy and the next thing I know it's not fine and I'm needing a PM. I was diagnosed with 2nd degree heart block on a Wed and my surgery was the following Monday. It would have been sooner except my Dr. only does surgery on Mondays. That was about 3 and half months ago and I must say I am doing really well now.

Of course you have a lot of questions, and you have come to the right place! This site has really helped me more than anything and the people are very friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. Since I did not know anything about PM's and didn't know anyone with one I really did not know what to expect (I found this site after the fact). I found it very comforting to connect with people going through the same or similar experiences and knowing that I was not alone.

Good luck, I wish you the best!
Take care,
~Sheila

How Large is a 2X4?????

by donr - 2014-05-31 07:05:12

It is HUMONGOUS, when compared to the size of the area where your PM is.

Seriously, now - go find a hunk of 2X4 & look at the end of it. (It's really only 3 1/2 " wide) Is your new PM REALLY THAT BIG?

People in general have poor mental concepts of size - they tend to visualize larger than reality.

It surely would have helped you a lot had your surgeon shown you a PM before implanting it.

Donr

hi

by pacergirl - 2014-05-31 09:05:22

Mine showed me, but It didn't seem all the big to me. Then he implanted it and I was kinda weirded out when I saw it! I'm not a large woman, or let me say this.... I wasn't a large woman when I got the first PM. I was about 120 lbs. So the pacemaker stuck out because I had not much body fat. Well, let me tell you this... After a 20 pound increase since 2005 (not good) I can no longer see the pacemaker or feel it much either! haha, weight gain seems to be here to stay. Doc says loose the weight, but I'm happy with having some padding.

Best of luck to you,
pacergirl

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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