Placement

Hi everyone

This is my first post, due to have pacemaker fitted on Wednesday after discovering I had an episode of 3rd degree heart block at night. No other symptoms, original problem picked up during a Well Man clinic. I've come to terms with need for a pacemaker however I do have many questions. In the short term I am concerned about Placement. I am very active and really want the pacemaker positioned under the muscle and therefore not so obvious? I guess I am just a little vain but when I discussed this with my Consultant he appeared reluctant stating its a little more complicated to place under the muscle. having read all the posts on this I can't see many negatives however there appears to be quite a few positives. I am talking to my Consultant and need to convince him. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

7 Comments

Avoid ur pacer blocking you

by HK - 2014-06-22 08:06:54

If u r very active make sure and do not take no for an answer,make them set ur pacer so it allows ur heart rate to get up to at least 160 before it blocks u 2:1. This will make everyday activities possible without interference from ur pacer. If u don't everything fro stair climbing to sex will cause you to be out of breath in a bad way

placement

by Tracey_E - 2014-06-22 09:06:22

It's not vanity, it's being practical. It's not a big deal if you can see it, but if you have the choice to make it less conspicuous, go for it. It's also more comfortable if you are active. Mine is buried and I highly recommend it. I like to hike with a heavy backpack and lift weights, my pm never gets in the way.

Some drs are in the habit of not placing it under muscle, so they're speaking more from lack of experience rather than reality. Yes, it's a little more complicated, but it doesn't turn it into a major surgery. Healing is a little longer, that's about it. If he's hesitant to do it, ask if a plastic surgeon can assist. That's how mine was done. It was the easiest job the plastic surgeon had all month, and my ep was happy to not have to deal with more than getting my wires taken care of.

One episode at night with no symptoms??? Once isn't much to base a decision on.

placement

by Pookie - 2014-06-22 09:06:22

Hi & welcome to our little group.

I guess if the doctor wouldn't place it where I wanted, without a very good reason; I'd go find another doctor.

Best of luck,
Pookie

Muscle

by Alma Annie - 2014-06-22 10:06:07

Do you live in a country where you drive on the right? If so it is worth having the pm under a muscle. I live in Oz so don't have that problem unless I am a passenger, then I find the seat belt uncomfortable, even with padding. Since my pm has moved considerably since insertion. EP says when it is time for a battery change he will put it under a muscle. Why he did not do that at the beginning I don't know. Go for it.
Alma Annie.

Proper Pacemaker Location

by donb - 2014-06-22 10:06:52

HI & Also a Big Welcome !! I was not fortunate to have this site available in 1992 with my 1st pacemaker. Now I know we all fear giving personal info especially doing our biography. This site is well monitored & in order to share information with a newcomer our 1st issue is to check DOB, Male or Female.
AS your issue is site location which you already are concerned. I did not have info in this matter so it's been 3 locations & 6 pacemakers in 22 years.
I've had a number of surgeons & each used the usual location which in most cases is just under the skin on the left chest which is the least invasive. This is fine if you have some fat for protection but if you're skinny & very active as myself there can be problems. As I've used up both left & right chest sites with 5 pacemakers & developing pacemaker movement & erosion has been a major issue for me along with discomfort.
I finally had # 5 put under muscle which was the best for comfort, so naturally I picked up my activities & a few years later had this implant take a ride also.
I know & finally was told by my initial surgeon that as a 145 pound person & way to active especially with upper body working that my site locations should have been considered more initally. If you are muscular with a good layer of fat, under muscle still is the best bet as was suggested. As I'm 82 years old & have a nice layer of fat in my belly I am now hosting my implant under my bell
y muscle which was the least discomfort practically no pain & now after all these years, it's gone. No more pain in rolling around at night & in order to not aggrivate my site I threw away my belts & am in style with suspenders. No more seat belt fights driving or rideing.
So, don't be shy with questions!! Use "Private Message" anytime !!
DonB

Under the muscle

by PeteFindlay - 2014-06-23 08:06:42

I'm 50, very active, and have a PM implanted sub-pectorally 7 weeks ago. Of course, I have nothing to compare it with, but so far, so good. My consultant actually suggested it - which was good, as I was going to propose it anyway.

I got my 6-week all clear last week, and have started working back up to full range of movement and gentle weights, with a view to being back up to full steam Crossfit work-outs over the next few weeks.

The op is a little more involved, I think, but was still done under local plus sedation with no pain. I was told that replacement is more involved and may require a general anaethetic - but that's a small price to pay some years down the line. In terms of recovery, the feeling is something akin to after having been thumped very hard in the chest... it just aches a bit. No bruising, very light scar, just a bit of an ache, which I imagine takes longer to subside than for an implant just under the skin. It's probably quite a good reminder to take it easy for the first 6 weeks!

This was in the UK, by the way. NHS.

All the best for Wednesday - be sure to check back with updates.

Pete

Sparrow

by Tracey_E - 2014-06-24 08:06:58

Nah, the scar tissue builds up around it and insulates it so it doesn't rub after it heals. I don't even know mine is in there, even when I work out hard.

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