Difficult procedure: why?

Hi folks, just joined club and finding it so helpful.
Quick background: very shocked 1 month ago to discover I had an acquired Heart Block. One day I felt a bit breathless, tired & dizzy; 3 days later in Coronary Care Unit (UK) with Level 2 heart block awaiting a PM; 3 days after that I was an emergency because I'd gone to Complete heart block.
Had very little briefing before procedure, and was utterly shocked at the physicality of it. Felt like Doc jumping up and down on chest and I was disconcerted to hear him say "this is technically challenging".
After 90 minutes it was done; I was shaking but at least all over.
Or not.
Following morning, signals weak, Xray showed everything had moved - wire and PM unit itself. Had to have whole thing done again that night.
AGAIN it was incredibly physical, took 90 minutes with Docs' comments "this is trickier than I expected", "this wire's no good need a thicker one", "if this doesn't work I dont know what will" and similar. Doc was panting with effort, again felt like he was jumping up and down on chest and I was crying my eyes out.
At least the thing stayed in place second time. (I hope: my check up is in 7 days.)
But I have NO IDEA WHY the procedure(s) were so tricky, why such an effort, why first one moved. Arrhythmia nurse chat at discharge just said 'you've been very unlucky'.
Can anyone please shed any light?

4 Comments

Wish I could

by Charlotteis - 2014-12-23 04:12:34

Hi there, I just got mine on the 12th of Dec and was back yesterday, the 22nd because one of the leads had become disconnected. I though my procedure sucked but yours definitely sounds like it sucked more. I feel your frustration though as everyone told me that leads rarely come loose and yet mine did and now I'm totally paranoid about moving the wrong way and having them come loose again.

I really hope someone has some solid answers for you.

Take care!

Difficult procedure

by cwalsh - 2014-12-28 07:12:29

I had my pacemaker operation October 2 nd this year and I really felt every bit of the operation, I actually screamed at one stage and the surgeon said he had problems trying to make the pocket for the pacemaker. It's still sore to touch the area where the pacemaker is inserted.

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor at your next check up, I got that advise from people here, you need to ask questions at your check ups I did and I understand it all a lot better, good luck.

Still baffled

by Beeper - 2014-12-28 08:12:41

But thank you Charlotte ... I still cannot find anyone who can tell me why some PM procedures are 'easy' and some resemble all-in-wrestling bout. Am making a list of Qus for my first check-up on Wednesday... and I hope that is going to be a significant New Year for me!

Helpful first check-up

by Beeper - 2015-01-02 06:01:46

Just had my first follow-up and found the technician v helpful. She checked my notes and it seems that the doc couldnt use the (visible) cephalic vein to insert the leads, so went in via the subclavian and, as she pointed out, not everyone's veins lie in nice straight lines. From where the PM pocket is (quite low in left chest, almost on edge of armpit), she deduces that the doc had to go in to the vein quite low, that making the pocket was tricky, and all of this no doubt contributed to the 'wrestling' that I experienced.
Many other questions answered; all readings good.
A huge emotional milestone: had a good cry after and I now understand that the mental/emotional trauma is as bad as the procedure itself.
Starting 2015 feeling a lot more positive! Happy New Year fellow pacemaker people.

You know you're wired when...

You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.

Member Quotes

Life is finally better.