Movement of pacemaker and wire

I have had a pacemaker for nearly three years. It has moved and one of the wires has created a loop that is now pushing into my shoulder. The doctor wants to re position the pacemaker and fix the wire. I have 6.5 years left on the battery. Would it make sense to have the battery changed now to avoid surgery for a longer period? Also, is having a pacemaker move or having the wire stick out a common occurrence? Feeling kind of anxious. I am 68.

3 Comments

Ask your doctor for clarification

by Grateful Heart - 2017-01-24 15:46:32

Unless I am misunderstanding your post.  If the doctor is just going to reposition the pacemaker and wire, then it doesn't sound like he is looking to replace the whole unit (battery). 

It would probably depend on a few factors.  If the loop is causing an impedance, then it would need to be fixed.  Also if it was causing you discomfort.  Your doctor would best advise you.

My wires stick out from the device port.  It's not all that common but not unheard of.... You can see and feel them in certain areas.  I've had my device for 8 years and it's been this way for 6 years since a lead revision.  Sometimes it bothers me, other times it doesn't.

Grateful Heart

Wires

by hopefulheart - 2017-01-24 18:33:48

One thing to always remember is to never ever fiddle with a wire you feel.  That goes for newly implanted, old wires and all in between.  Best wishes for your surgery and recovery.

hopeful heart

interesting, very rare situation

by zawodniak2 - 2017-01-24 21:24:10

Today on the XM satallite radio cardiology program, Dr Love an electrophysiologist from the NYU Langone medical center spoke extensively on lead extraction and MRI's with older model pace makers.  An  astounding side note was his comments about leads actually protruding from a patient's chest  and in one very rare case was a report of a pace maker actually coming out of a chest and dangling by the leads!!!  Bizarre, but apparently true!!!

                                 Rodger 

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