Accidentally hit pacemaker 5 days post implantatio

Five days after my first submuschular implantation of a pacemaker. So far I've been pedantic about following the doctor's instructions concerning not raising my left hand or carrying stuff in it, but an hour ago I'm pulling up the left sleeve of my sweater with my right hand to do some dishes. BAM!, I slip and right hand goes up and hits right over where the pacemaker is placed, pretty much from below, at perhaps a 45 degree angle. It's nowhere near the incision site, which is a good bit further up, but it hurt like hell, I guess because of all the torn tissue in the area. There's not much additional pain now, but I'm of course freaking out worrying that I might have moved, disconnected or broken something inside (for example pushed the pacemaker up). What do you guys think, does this merit a trip to the hospital tomorrow, or is it part of what one can normally expect to happen during recovery? My next scheduled appointmen is little more than three weeks from now.

2 Comments

Probably not

by Theknotguy - 2014-11-24 05:11:44

Probably won't warrant a trip to the hospital unless it starts turning black and blue, starts bleeding or seeping, you start to have a fever, or gets really sore to the touch. By sore to the touch I mean you can't stand to have cloth touching it.

As far as leads, you'd have to do a lot more than hit it with your hand in order to dislodge the leads.

As far as the PM, you'll have to hit it with a lot more than your hand to damage it.

If you actually dislodged your PM, you'll start to see bleeding/seeping and your pain level will go way up. Your pain level will be very intensive.

Glad you reaffirmed what I've told others. It really hurts when you hit the PM or the PM area.

Cold, dry compress on the PM pocket area. Tylenol for pain. Watch but don't get paranoid. I wrap the compress in a clean towel and put it on the PM pocket area.

Hang in there. Life gets better. Glad to hear you are doing very well otherwise.

Thanks

by Helmut - 2014-11-24 06:11:14

Theknotguy, for the reply, I guess I'll just keep an eye on it then. All the best!

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.