Would I know if I damaged a lead placement?

Hi Everyone 

This is my first post after placement of my dual lead pm 11 days ago. I’d joined the group about a month ago, and your help was a godsend for me. You’d encouraged me to take action and I’m incredibly grateful. Your guidance was spot on. I’m bradycardia, resting rate was deteriorating for several years, finally hovering around 40 with dips into the 30’s. I realize now I was suffocating, and you helped me to get past my fears and denial. Thank you!

 

i have a dual lead pm and I’m concerned about dislodging a lead. It’s placed on my left side, I’m a lefty, and can’t seem to help the natural reaction to reach for things with my left arm. I’ve felt fine since the placement. A little settling in, but mostly good. Last night I reached to the top shelf of my closet with, you guessed it, my left arm. Ugh!  I felt nothing out of the ordinary, except for that shot of adrenaline from anxiety. That’s the second time in 11 days I’ve done this. I’ve heard both extremes: they don’t dislodge very easily, and you just never know, they can come out without warning. Would I have any sensation to indicate something is wrong?  Thanks, 

jp

4 Comments

it's fine

by Tracey_E - 2017-10-17 09:57:17

If it were going to dislodge, it would be in the first few days and even then it's unlikely it would happen from anything we did. The leads are put in with slack so our actions don't pull on it hard enough to reach all the way to the heart. We all break the rules, no big deal. Just don't go swing a golf club or swim a bunch of laps. After the first few days it's just precaution. There was even a study of patients with traditional restrictions vs no restrictions and they had the same rate of lead dislodgement. I've seen my own doc change is restrictions, much less strict than he was in 2010 when I had my next to last one. 

Be sure to use the arm! If not, the shoulder will freeze. Don't raise it overhead, other than that use it normally. 

If a lead was dislodged it would no longer be pacing so you'd feel like you did before. 

BEEN THERE....DONE THAT

by Bob J. - 2017-10-17 10:15:00

i just had my 1st Pacemaker implant (dual lead) on Sept 24th, and I've done the same thing you have done more than once.  I agree with all of the above posts.  I doubt that the wires could be dislodged that easily.  ....

 

Great comfort, thank you!

by jp - 2017-10-17 12:00:54

Thank You Tracey, Bob, and especially you too Robin!  What a great explanation!  There was a day I might have been that guy, swinging from things! Haha!  No more tho, I’m much more cautious, although I’d like a dose of carefree some days. I think I’m managing the anxiety, but of course my question alone is indication of worrying. 

Your responses help a lot. Thank you all. Make it a great day!

go ahead and swing

by Tracey_E - 2017-10-17 12:21:19

just not yet! after 6-8 weeks, anything goes

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.