Abdominal Placement

Hello
I just had my ICD placed in my abdomen on Tuesday and have a few questions...
Because I am small boned, they felt it would be too irritating and hard to place, because of its size, near my collar bone. I am 54 and it doesn't seem to be a common thing anymore and wondered if anyone else has theirs placed like mine and how they feel when exercising, etc.?
Also, I am taking Savaysa for possibly just a month to prevent blood clots. Anyone on this drug? Any side effects?
Finally, I have a PFO and wondered if someone has had their pacemaker for years who also has one and is not on a blood thinner.
Thanks for a great place to learn and share!!!

2 Comments

PFOs & Pacemaker

by ABelle - 2016-05-25 12:05:06

Hey there!
I had a PFO and had it closed with a device called cardio seal. It was a fairly easy procedure... If any heart surgery is easy. However, it has truly helped. Has anyone recommended the procedure to you? I did take blood thinners for years after the surgery but have been off of them now except for baby aspirin for the last 5 years. I have had my pacemaker for six years today! My how fast time goes by. I'm not sure if this helps or not, but if your PFO has ever caused you any problems it may be worth looking into closing it. I hope that you're healing well, and if you feel your ICD more than other people I wouldn't worry. I've always been able to tell when I'm pacing and I was told it might be bc in smaller in size. Whether that's true or not who knows. Best of luck; Abelle

PFOs & Pacemaker

by BeingPresent - 2016-06-20 18:59:17

I haven't had any problems with my PFO, so they recommended not closing it. I am going by their recommendation, but just wondered if others had the same advice. Things are going well, just getting used to the "new feel" of having a pacemaker, especially when I bend at the waist.

Thanks for your post!

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