Hole in scar

My pacemaker was inserted 6 weeks ago. All was healing well until a couple of weeks ago (just after my 4 week technician check) when I noticed a small, blackish area on the left hand side of my scar. Four days ago, after a shower, I noticed the scar was weeping slightly from a small hole that had appeared in the blackish area (the discharge was slight and transparent). I have since been to see my GP and have been put on two types of antibiotics for 7 days. My GP doesn't know why this has happened.
Has this happened to anyone else? Could this be an indication that my pacemaker is infected?
I would appreciate feedback if this has happened to you.
Thank you.

6 Comments

Bull

by Cabg Patch - 2016-05-27 02:05:03

I'm sorry I disagree with my friends...get your behind to the ER and get this under control NOW. I have been through hell and back with an infection from my device about 6 weeks out from surgery and the whole episode has taken a year from my life. I wound up in hospital for 2 weeks, had my brand new CRT-D and 3 leads explanted, wore a wound vacuum, an IV infusion pump, and life vest for months.

This sounds exactly like my scenario when my infection showed it's ugly head...get to the ER not your family doctor and get this resolved. TRUST ME

Cultures

by IAN MC - 2016-05-27 03:05:09

Cabg Patch's advice rightly stresses the urgency of your situation but whether you do it via the GP or via EP it still takes time to do a culture which is why it is important for you to take your current antibiotics

Bacteria have to be grown in a nutrient media before they can be identified and this can take a couple of days or longer.

The sooner you get the bacteria-identification process started the better . Time is of the essence. You don't say which country you are in . Here in the UK if it was me , after speaking to the GP, I would volunteer to drive down to the path lab with a culture specimen to get the ball rolling.

If you are in the US, maybe getting yourself to E.R. and sitting it out is your best option.

Ian

go back for cultures

by Tracey_E - 2016-05-27 12:05:16

Yes, it is absolutely an indication of possible infection and trying a random antibiotic is not a good approach. They need to do cultures to see exactly what you are dealing with so you can be on the right med now, not in a week. This is very very important so please call today! Be pushy if you have to. If you are not on the right med, it will spread in that week. If it spreads too much, they will have to remove the whole thing, treat the infection, then place it again. The leads go straight in to the heart so they can't take a chance on the infection moving down the lead. Much better to be sure you are on the right med NOW and nip it in the bud. Sorry to alarm you but this if it is indeed infected, it's crucial to act quickly.

Tracey is spot on

by IAN MC - 2016-05-27 12:05:51

except that , if it was me , I would be glad to be on a broad spectrum antibiotic NOW. This may need changing as soon as the causative bugs have been identified but getting the results of cultures does take time.

The holy grail of the pharmaceutical industry is to discover a " clobbermycin" which kills all known bacteria at a stroke but this simply doesn't exist especially with increasing antimicrobial resistance so cross your fingers and hope that the GP's actions have been helpful.

I agree with Tracey; be pushy, get cultures done , and prevent a more worrying scenario from developing.

Best of luck

Ian

GO TO ER NOW! POSSIBILITY OF SEPSIS IN NEAR FUTURE!

by BDas23 - 2016-06-01 05:06:18


I don't want to alarm you, but you need to go to the ER now! DO NOT WAIT! There is a chance you can develop a complication called sepsis. Sepsis is life threatening!

I'm 23 & I've had a pacemaker since I was 3. The exact issue you're describing happened to me twice. First time, I was treated early. 2nd time, it was too late & I suffered from sepsis for months.

Your scar sounds like it is infected. I agree with Tracy. You need to get cultures done to get the right antibiotics for the infection. If it spreads down the leads, then you will need everything (leads & device replaced),

I think at this point, the ER is your best option. You need treatment now. Don't wait for your GP or EP. GO NOW!

I hope everything works out. Best wishes!

Hole in scar

by Marthajane - 2020-08-01 19:49:09

What happened to the hole in your scar 

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.