Question about visability of pacemaker

I'm just wondering, for all of you lovely people with pacemakers out there. How visible is your pacemaker? is it normal for me to see my pacemaker towards my inner armpit when I move my arm up and down? It's almost as if when I lift my arm up it pops out or either the skin tightens around it or the pacemaker actually moves, I'm not sure which one because I don't know much about if it stays in one place or moves. It kind of makes me nervous to see it. I can't see it just looking at it from the front, the scar is visible but the pacemaker is only visible from the inside arm when I lift it. It almost seems like it's too far to the left or something, I don't know. Where are yours? And can you see it when you lift your arm? I am female if that helps. Thanks in advance.

10 Comments

Armpit?

by heckboy - 2015-12-02 09:12:31

Mine is visible as well, but it's location is in the center of my chest near my collar bone. Sometimes I can see it through my shirt at the gym

Mines the same

by LR - 2015-12-02 09:12:54

Hey there
,
I've had my pacemaker for almost 3 and half years and mine is exactly the same, it's definately strange i find mine is really noticeable there too just before the armpit its quite strange to see it pop out and even stranger to feel it that you sometimes forget its there until you have these moments.

Hi Shannon..................

by Tattoo Man - 2015-12-02 10:12:16


..............you have asked a very old question..............

SO......you have a 'thing' in your shoulder ??

..This is to keep you alive when your natural heart nerve system has been unreliable....SO..do you have a ..choice..and it may be easy or not easy..??

Shannon..we want you to be with us until you are old and have the joy of gazing at Grandkids and their dreadful geckos and smelly , grasshopper snaffling ,..yucky..bleahhh..,..vile 'pets'

Having a 'Device' in your shoulder..must surely be less of a bother than flicking Live Food into the Gecko Tank..??

OR..wear a thicker shirt..
Tattoo Man

Me too

by Grateful Heart - 2015-12-02 10:12:17


Mine sticks out and is close to my armpit. Some straps get in the way and even catch on it at times. (It's a man's world). :-)

Tatman: One of my sons used to catch grasshoppers and caterpillars when he was little. He would put them in his pocket and proudly show me. Doing laundry was always interesting. Thankfully, he outgrew that sport. Your gecko comment reminded me of those great days.

Grateful Heart

Thank you

by ShannonMarie33 - 2015-12-02 11:12:36

tattoo man: i had a very hard time getting my pacemaker due to nerves being the whole problem in the first place and having two surgerys within three months because it messed up and i had to get the leads removed but I am most definitely thankful for my pacemaker! Was just making sure it was normal I am so happy that my heart will keep beating and i just ask a lot of questions because i am a very nervous person. thank you everyone or your comments they make me feel at ease. Does your muscle in your arm and chest ever feel really weak or strange? Mine does on and off.

Same

by athlete735516 - 2015-12-03 02:12:42

I've noticed with mine too that from the front when my arms are down my pm is almost invisible but it I lift my left arm above my hear or put it behind me I can see the edge of it almost inside my armpit.

Thanks for the question! I was beginning to think that mine was somehow placed in a different spot that was too close to my armpit. It's nice to know that it wasn't a mess Up!!

You Are Not Alone

by laupek9 - 2015-12-03 03:12:05

I am 7 weeks into my implant. Due to less left shoulder movements now I am feeling tightness whenever I raise my hand higher. If I walk faster the swing of the left arms will cause slight discomfort . The pm will move to the arm pit when I raise my left arm. I can feel the corner edge of it. Like you I was worried but after reading so many comments I would say 'let it be' .

Been a year...

by Xxmikexx - 2015-12-04 02:12:52

Yeah...my pain is when I lift my arm over my head. Feels like the muscle binds. I had issues with shooting pain from implwnt to under my arm for months but its a dull roar now. I can see mine stick out just a hint and you can see it bow out as I move around. The things they Dont tell ya pre implant....thankfully this site exists!

Twiddlemania

by Mike1943 - 2015-12-08 03:12:36

Hi Shannon. I am told not to worry if the pm is noticeable by yourself. Like you I am one of the worried - but obviously not well- and have been told by a pal who is on his third pm just be thankful for the fact that this wonderful implement is beating its heart out for you!!
It must be awful for a lady to have to adjust to the movements as well as the sight. You have my admiration and as tattoo man says perhaps a slight amendment/ addition to your wardrobe will help. Perhaps Father Christmas will be kind xx. Mike1943

Visible

by Zetha - 2015-12-09 03:12:03

Yes, unfortunately my pacemaker is VERY visible after 3 months and I think it will remain like that!!!!! Fortunately it is situated in the perfect position( can you believe it) so that all my clothes cover it, even sleeveless dresses..... even a strappy dress covers the PM, but then my little scar is visible, but I can cover it with make-up.

I am very vain and no, I do not like it, but worse can happen. I have decided not to fret too much about the visibility, I cannot do anything about it... my cardiologist has suggested that he can repeat the whole procedure and implant it under the muscle, BUT I immediately said I am definitely not up to that!!!! SO.....

Apparently because I am very thin and petite, that is the reason why.... my cardiologist said that I should gain at least 10 kg/25pounds!

I am sure as time goes by, you will get more used to it, all the best!

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.