Cardiology Appointment This Afternoon

My pm discomfort has become more intense in the past five weeks.  I've had it for 27 months, the pc and the pain.  Today, I'm going to advocate for myself in a "bully" fashion (maybe)  They don't believe me, don't want to do anything.  Today I'm going to ask for percentages, probably won't get a satisfactory answer but here I go.  How many have pain for this long?  What is the % of infection?  What symptoms accompany infection, how treated?  Give me details of moving the pm.  I have a csf shunt on the left and the drain passes very closely to my pm site.  I'm not medical here but duh I think the "drain has something to do with the pain?"  Had it over 25 years.

Excuse my sarcasm but after 27 months, I am frustrated.  This is my first post, don't consider myself a usual grump but slipped here this morning.  Encouragement and suggestions are more than welcome.  Thank you.

3 Comments

infection part

by Yakkwak - 2019-07-02 21:43:44

Am assuming that repeat blood work has been done explore the possibility of an infection.  So, have there been any abnormal findings?  The shunt variable aside:  I was told that implantation of a PM typically resulted in minor irritation, at most.  My 2nd PM was much more painful at the pocket area - I wined quite a bit with that one.  Am coming up for a third PM in a month or two.  Hope you find answers!

Doctors

by Benjijohn - 2019-07-03 03:27:46

I had similiar problems with my second CRT-D. The most important thing is the infection issue, but from what you have written I think it is nore of a pocket discomfort issue rather than infection. Yoir doctors will do blood test to rule out infection. If you do have an infection and it has reached your bloodstream, then the pacemaker unit as well as all the leads have to be taken out. This is the reason why doctors do not prefer to re open the pocket unless it is absolutely necessary. My doctor told me that each carries around 1-2% risk of infection, but the risk increases as they reopen the same pocket

Pocket discomfort is pretty common. Sometimes the doctors do not suture the pacemaker, so it tends to move or shift time to time. This also changes the position of the leads which also cause extra discomfort

My first one was great, I did not even feel it. But this second one causes a lot of at times as it has shifted substaintially. I can even see the leads and knobs at certian parts. My doctors are still not willing to do another surgery due to infection risk. It has been just over a year. And I am trying my best to wait for the replacement surgery, and hoping that the leads will not be broken in the meanwhile

I would strongly suggest you talk openly with your doctor. A blood test and and an x ray would be the starting point. Good luck

pain

by lachalupa - 2019-07-03 19:22:25

I had a lot of discomfort with my last Bi-V/AICD device due to location. It was close to the brachial plexus nerve and I had constant pain in my shoulder and numbness to my hand. I went through the full testing with a neurologist, ortho, and pain management as I was hoping to get some relief from the pain. When it was finally my PM change I asked my dr to move the device a little lower in the chest. He did a great job and it sits just above the left breast. The pain was gone with that change. Years of pain all rested with where the device was placed. I was happy to get my life back. I was able to workout and the best part was I was pain free. They had a feeling it was that from the start but wouldn't due the surgery until it was time for the PM change. 

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