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Recent replacement and lead visible
- by pezzypooh
- 2024-09-22 00:00:36
- Complications
- 182 views
- 4 comments
Hello, I had my replacement in April 2024. No real issues with healing except initially the one end of my incision was raised and wider. It's completely healed now, but, it appears that one of my leads is on top of my new pacer and pushing against the skin. It gets uncomfortable at times, is visible through clothes, and just all around annoying. I didn't have this at all with my previous pacer. Any thoughts? Should I ask my Dr to look at it? I have photos of I can figure out how to attach.
4 Comments
Pacemaker
by Lavender - 2024-09-22 10:51:24
I recall that you wanted to keep your old pacemaker. Did they give you your souvenir? 😉
I want mine too when it's replaced.
I definitely would ask for an xray to check your lead placement. I can feel a bit of my lead but it's not on top of the device...it's to the side. Remember don't touch that spot and let it be.
Yes!
by pezzypooh - 2024-09-22 23:19:55
Yes! They did let me keep it! It was kind of a joke - it was less a Medtronic concern than the hospital and they just kind of wrote it off and Oops - it went into medical waste on accident...so, yes, I have it!
I will be calling my Dr. office - it's just very odd - I had no discomfort from my leads previously - it just used to be my pacer every once in a while when laying on my side, but now, this is bugging me all the time.
I will try to put pics in my gallery!
You know you're wired when...
You fondly named your implanted buddy.
Member Quotes
It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.
You could try to get your pics posted to the Gallery?
by Gemita - 2024-09-22 04:43:11
Pezzypooh,
That doesn't sound too good, although leads can sometimes be seen under the skin and would appear to be perfectly normal for some of us. Other members have mentioned this in the past. I wonder whether there has been movement of your device since April when it was implanted into the same pocket as the device it replaced? Your comfort though is my main concern. If it causes discomfort, you might have a problem. Have you always seen the lead, or has it just become noticeable?
Yes I believe your doctor needs to examine you, perhaps even to take an X-ray to see how the lead is attached to the device, the amount of slack there is and whether the position of your device and leads are satisfactory? They may also need to check whether the device and leads are functioning as they should, so they will want to carry out some in clinic checks. Do you have any symptoms that might suggest a pacing problem or is it just a "comfort problem"?
You mentioned you had no real issues with healing except initially the one end of your incision was raised and wider. Perhaps the lead had got out of position from the start? You could mention this to your doctors.
What to do about this is another matter, since to open the wound again comes with its own set of problems, like the risk of infection. Please let us know what your doctors have to say?