Muscle Twitch

Hi All,
I just received a replacement pacer in July. This is my 7th replacement (first pacemaker was 1975) and I seem to have developed a twitch. If I hold my hand over and press lightly down on the pacemaker I can feel a muscle twitch with each beat. Sometimes if I hold my arm in a certain position it actually jumps. Anyone ever have this? It's a new one on me. I did notice that this generator seems closer to under my arm than the last. It can be a very annoying feeling. Thanks for any information. It's appreciated.
Gellia

3 Comments

Well done

by peter - 2007-09-28 04:09:53

Its not uncommon for your pacemaker to cause other muscle other than your heart muscle to twitch or beat. My stomach used to pace which was very annoying but carefull adjustments of the pacemaker settings improved matters. Time thankfully did the rest. Have a word with the pacemaker technicians or doctors to see what they can do. I agree its annoying but its not dangerous. I congratulate you on reaching your 7th pacemaker . You still have a long way to go as the world record I believe is 27 or 28 replacements.

Thanks, Peter.

by Gellia2 - 2007-09-28 05:09:03

This twitch really is a strange one. I did call my cardio and did a telephone check with my clinic. I also have an appt with my EP. The telephone monitor thinks it may be my old wires (they're 25 years old now) just give off more of an electrical charge near the shoulder muscle or there could be a break in the insulation. Thankfully, if that's the case, it's not the ventricular wire. I broke that one once already.
I sure hope this one, and future ones, lasts long enough that I never reach 27 or 28 replacements! My anniversary for my first is tomorrow - 32 years being an energizer bunny! Hope I make 32 more!

I Was Thinking That Last Night

by peter - 2007-09-29 04:09:05

Those leads have done very well. The new ones are supposed to be guaranteed 25 years. But I had two further thoughts on this last night. Firstly a lead may not be fully home in the pacemaker socket allowing leakage of electrical energy. Or as you suggest the old lead may just be too old and not have the same insulation qualities. I dont think its a high risk situation but its best to be safe than sorry , so get it fully investigated.
How did your ventricular lead break? I would like to avoid that one as I am pacemaker dependant. I only had my first pacemaker in february this year. You can contact me direct on bayhoecott@yahoo.co.uk Peter

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