Change in appearance of pacemaker site

No idea where to ask this question.  Tonight my pacemaker site looks like it has a big dent in it.  Instead of a smooth-edged slightly rectangular "bump", the outside edges are irregular  and there is a noticeable dent in the middle.  I have not fallen or been hit or anything.  I feel fine... But this is weird! I'm sure it wasn't like this when I showered this morning. Anyone ever seen something like this? Because I feel fine,  I'll wait to call Dr.  in the morning,  but am a little freaked out! 

3 Comments

weird!

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-26 15:08:09

That's a new one! I'd for sure want them to take a look at it just to be on the safe side.

What'does it look like?

by Gotrhythm - 2018-01-26 16:45:09

Don't know about the dent in the middle, but over time as the swelling went down, the outline of the pacer itself became more visible under the skin. Yep. The place is now shaped just like a pacemaker. You can even see the outline of the screws where the wires attach.

No harm in checking it out of course, but if I felt fine and had no symptoms like pain, redness, heat, swellling or pus, I wouldn't worry.

Had it checked out

by SusieSparks - 2018-01-26 17:28:04

As Gotrhythm said, the outline of my pacemaker was clear for the past couple months (since original swelling went down). Then yesterday, that outline changed (the lower left area became less defined) and the "dent" in the middle appeared. It was like when you're baking cookies and press your thumb into the center -- a clear thumbprint in what used to be smooth!

I went in to the clinic today. The nurse checked it thoroughly and did the monitor/scan thing. All is well. She can definitely see the "dent" and her best guess is that the tissue my body has been forming over the PM "shifted". She says the PM is further beneath the skin than I imagine and assured me that it would take a SEVERE blow to cause any damage. She said she would have done the same as me -- ask a professional to check it out, since there was a significant change in appearance.   

The good news is that in the months since my last device check, the PM was only needed 30% of the time (in the upper chamber) and not at all in the lower chamber (which is where my blockage was that caused me to get "Sparky"). So the very erratic blockage has not happened at all since October -- Praise God! It also showed NO incidents of racing heartbeat (I'd had 1 in September a couple weeks after the PM was implanted).

Instead of my device check which had been scheduled for April, I am "good to go" until late July, when I can do the remote check-in thing. And the battery life says I've got 10 years before a new battery is required.  

Thanks for the encouraging words, folks!

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.