Possible disloged lead

Had pacemaker inserted on Mar 17 for carotid sinus hypersensitivity. In two weeks will go back to clean wound and check pacemaker to be sure still working as it should.

It has been only 3 days, but it has been difficult remembering to not use my left arm. Today I may have put too much pressure on that arm from an automatic reaction and dislodged a lead. Not sure how to tell.

It seemed the pacemaker had also fixed a skipped heartbeat problem I've had for many years. First couple of days heart skipped, but yesterday seemed like it had stop skipping. Thought maybe pacemaker had fixed. Today I put too much pressure on that arm and now the skipping is back. It may be that yesterday was a fluke and the pacemaker had not fixed.

Just wondering if I should wait for the two week appointment or go in now to check the leads. Thinking maybe better to catch the problem early, if there is one, rather than opening a wound that has healed for two weeks.

4 Comments

when in doubt, call

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-20 01:03:20

If it needs to be fixed, better sooner than later. The first symptom of a lead out of place is return of the symptoms you had before you were paced. I'll add, tho, that just moving the arm around is unlikely to cause any damage. Once we're past the first 24-48 hours, it's all precaution. Hopefully it's a false alarm! Good luck.

Leads are pretty tough

by Ricochet - 2016-03-20 02:03:12

When in doubt check it out. Putting a wand over the PM and checking everything on a laptop computer takes only minutes . Some times its done by a nurse, sometimes the PM company tech (it's then reviewed by the Dr) The leads are pretty much screwed into place. They should also have a lot of slack in the length of the wires used.

Get test now

by Miaria - 2016-03-20 10:03:47

It's better to go in asap and have the lead checked. It's a simple test and will give you peace of mind if it's ok. If it's not than you're right, you need to have it done before the wound heals. Don't worry about bothering them; that's what they are there for. Good Luck. Hope all is well.

Followup

by jamesyboy - 2016-03-22 05:03:43

Went to see doctor yesterday as suggested. Everything checked out fine. Leads were okay. PM working okay. Had pain in my chest and throat 3 days after procedure, so asked about that. They did an xray and EKG. Found nothing and thought it was probably muscle soreness caused by the procedure. Today 80% of the pain is gone.

I am in Thailand and had this done at a government hospital. The hospital is supposedly rated number 1 in Thailand for expertise. Many government hospitals here are terrible, but there are goods ones. Total cost of a dual chamber Medtronics was $8,000. I can highly recommend the doctor and her team. This was the least problematic procedure I have ever had done. I was expecting to have problems with the wound healing, but six days in no pain and it is healing extremely well.

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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