Scar tissue

Is it normal for scar tissue around the pacemaker pocket to continue to grow (or begin growing again) almost eight years post implant?

About six months ago I noticed that my bra strap had begun to irritate the spot. Until then, my bra strap had never been a problem because the strap didn't touch the pacemaker. Feeling around, I realized the strap wasn't over the pacemaker. It was rubbing a raised area just to the left of the device.

I saw my EP about it. He said it was scar tissue--and that's what it feels like to me--but when asked why it would be growing after over seven years, he just shrugged.

I'm not overly worried, but needless to say, I don't want it to continue to grow.

Is it normal for scars to keep growing, or start growing again after so long? Can it be stopped?

Any thoughts O wise ones?

3 Comments

not buying it

by ROBO Pop - 2019-04-23 18:35:18

That says any incision will continue developing scar tissue. What about open heart incisions, won't your heart become plugged, or the incision to feed your leads into your heart, won't the arteries plug up, or ...well the point is Scar tissue does not develop perpetually. Call another doc and get another opinion.

Let us know what you find out. I had a vasectomy 35 years ago and now you've got me worried...

Right, Robo!

by Gotrhythm - 2019-04-24 16:39:14

It didn't compute to me either, but I had to wonder if this was some kind of rare, one-in-a-million complication.

I really hoped someone here knew something that would explain it.

lumps

by cb - 2019-05-05 17:53:07

I have a PM implanted 2/2013

In December 2016 I felt a lump that I assumed was scar tissue as it was right under the PM.

Just to be cautious I went for a Mammogram, then another.

The diagnosis was invasive ductal breast cancer.

Please go get checked!

Best of luck to you!

CB

You know you're wired when...

You always run anti-virus software.

Member Quotes

It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.