Changing position

I am thin and my recently placed pacemaker really sticks out of my chest. I am inclined to change its position so it does not show as much. Has anyone had their pacemaker moved below the chest muscle? Does it feel differently? Is it more painful? Will I be able to exercise my chest area, swim, etc.as if it was in the original position closer to the surface of the skin?
Hoping for some feedback,
Art

3 Comments

PM site changes

by donb - 2016-02-20 11:02:50

Hello Arthur! Site locations can be variable as in my case.
I'm now in my 3rd location with my 6th pacemaker since 1992. I just turned 84 years old and finally have complete comfort having my implant in my lower right belly.
As I'm 5'-10" and weigh under 150 pounds, have always been super active and have had prior implants left chest, right chest, and now finally in my lower right belly with my 6th pacemaker.
My original Cardiologist was very happy to have a top International surgeon do this implant & also conferred with me that I should have never had chest implants as there are many patients with skinny chests not affording Implants without erosion & infection.
In my case I have gone the complete route including weeks of hospital care with antibiotics to clean up infections.
The big bonus is being completely pain free, no activity restrictions. Sleeping now is also a the big bonus as I can lay in any postion & forget having an implant. Also I have to admit I am way too active for my age & have not taken any precautions in my doing heavy work all my life.
As there are not many patients having belly implants now but originally all implants were abdomen (belly). Today these are done mostly in young children which is still my Doctor's major patients.
DonB














Sorry!!

by donb - 2016-02-21 12:02:55

Hi Art, I didn't answer any of your questions. Yes, I've also had under muscle which is by far more comfortable but being too active I still had too much movement even though the pacemakers were sutured. In my case I had no pain & that only helped me go the limit with activity. So, with having some pain will help you limit activity, which this patient didn't observe.
Being skinny only aggrivates patients more.
You will find it more comfortable in doing more again without pain. You'll have to excuse my previous posting but I do get carried away with how happy I am today with the care I've had with this unusual body of mine !!
DonB

Changing position

by arthurleclaire@comcast.net - 2016-02-23 08:02:00

Thank you DonB for your feedback. I think I'm going to go ahead with placing my pacemaker under my chest muscle although I'm not looking forward to undergoing the procedure again. My surgeon just uses local anesthetic. May be I should take a Valium? I'm curious as to who your surgeon is. My surgeon use to place pacemakers in the abdomen when they were bigger but not now that they are smaller.
Thank you again,
Art

You know you're wired when...

Your life has spark.

Member Quotes

Your anxiety is normal. It takes some of us a little time to adjust to the new friend. As much as they love you, family and friends without a device just cannot understand the adjustment we go through. That is why this site is so valuable.