Left edge of PM protruding?

Hi. My Duel lead Medtronic PM was put in Feb 13. I'm 16 days post op. The last two days the site is very tender and sore. It appears that the left side closest to left armpit is now protruding and seems very close to my skin whereas the right side is well in "pocket" still. It's sore just wearing a light teeshirt. It kind of burns and feels so disturbing. I don't see cardiologist until March 16th. I think maybe the swelling and inflammation has gone down so is this protruding thing so close to the skin "normal" for anyone? I am now able to lay on my sides to sleep for short times. Should I not be doing that? Could that be causing a shifting that is not safe. Certainly not comfortable.
Thanks in advance. Feeling discouraged.
Shannon

4 Comments

Protruding

by Good Dog - 2015-03-01 06:03:52

I have exactly the same thing. Have had it for about twenty years now. The left side is where the wires are attached. The uncomfortable feeling will diminish over time and you will also get use to it over time. Not a big deal. The soreness is to be expected since it was just implanted in February.
It is O.K. to lay on your side. You don't have to worry about the pacemaker shifting. It won't.

Thank you

by ShanB - 2015-03-01 08:03:07

Thanks GoodDog. That reassures me. :)

Me Too

by Artist - 2015-03-01 09:03:19

Shannon, I am 4 mos.Post op, and am a 73 yr. old woman, very active for my age. I was very careful to follow the post op. instructions regarding arm movement and weight lifting movements. Regardless, the proximity of my PM to my shoulder makes the left edge really stick up if I move my arm from left to right close to and across my chest and or try to do weight lifting fly movements. There are various opinions on this. The pacemaker is very durable but I have read opinions that say some repetative movements can cause premature wear on the leads. Everyone is different, but at my age, I choose to forgo certain movements that are uncomfortable and result in soreness in the PM area. If you are relatively thin, or your implant is close to your shoulder it is common to have the edge stick up. After 3 months of healing though, my PM is more solidly anchored in place and does not move around as much. Even though movement and weight restrictions are usually lifted after
30 days, the advice I got said to slowly resume activities.
You are still very close to your surgical date. Just allow more time for healing, and avoid "twiddling" with your PM.
There are a lot of curious feeling lumps and bumps. Hopefully you are also experiencing the benefits of having your cardiac "helper". Let us know how you do on your followup appointment.

Me Three

by Grateful Heart - 2015-03-04 10:03:24


My device sticks out still after 6 years, across the top and down the left side. You can also see the outline of one of the leads and feel it through my skin.

We're all different and it may lessen for you as time goes by.

I still can't sleep on my left side, the device squeezes my skin and hurts.

So it's "normal" for me now but at 16 days out, it will probably settle more for you.

Grateful Heart

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