Bandage strips

On June 3/15, I had a CRT- P implanted.
This is my fourth pm in 20 years though my previous ones were not CRT.
All is well except that little strips have yet to fall off.
They are still really stuck on.
Do I leave them be or try to gently remove them?
I am seeing my cardio next week.
Do I wait until I see him?

And for the first time, I received Vancomycin intravenously an hour before my procedure.
Four and a half years ago, I had my mitral valve replaced and my tricuspid valve repaired.
As a child, I had other open heart surgery.
Could the valve surgery be why I got the Vancomycin?
I will ask my cardio why when I see him but I wondered if anyone else had it.

5 Comments

Post surgical instructions

by ladysmom - 2015-06-28 01:06:53

Thanks, Janenottarzan. Makes sense about the Vancomycin.
As for the steri strips, I did get instructions - Leave these strips in place. Let them fall off on their own. It can take up to 2 weeks for the strips to fall off.
Since they are no where ready to fall off, I just wondered.
All my other pm implants, this never occurred.....

I've read the hospital instructions, the instructions with my CRT and on the net. They vary.

As for my bio, I will revise it.
Some days I do feel as though I was born in 1870! 😀
My first device was implanted in 1995, it's been a most interesting ride.
Thankful for the technology, I've had a life starting with my first heart surgery in 1958.
I never would have lived without it......

Cheers and many thanks to all those who have made it possible for us to have another chance for wellness....

Post Surgical Instructions

by Artist - 2015-06-28 10:06:35

I am surprised that you were not given some sort of written post surgical instructions. My instructions were to let the strips fall off normally, but if they did not come off after 30 days, to gently remove them. Then I was supposed to gently wash the area with Dial soap daily and to watch for any signs of infection. I'm not able to answer your questions about medication. I read your bio and it says year of birth is 1870 and your device was implanted in 1950? It also says number of devices implanted 0? You might want to update your biographical info.

Hi

by Janenotarzan - 2015-06-28 12:06:23

I was given IV Vancomycin for my PM implant in Feb. In recent years, MRSA has become widespread throughout hospitals and the Vancomycin is given as a prophylactic teatment these days against it or any other bacteria that could seriously play havoc with a healing heart and chest.

Since Vancomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it's a great idea to eat yogurt daily and/or take acidophilus for a while to replace the good bacteria in your GI tract and prevent serious gut issues.

My steri-strips were mostly gone by 10 days; I was told that if any remained after 2 wks, to soak them and gently remove. I think you should call your Cardio's office and ask for a nurse to call you back about your situation.

Wishing you well,
Janenotarzan

Steri Strips Are Now On Steroids

by TICKYTICKBOO - 2015-06-29 07:06:43

I think they are putting SUPER GLUE on the new Steri Strips. I have used those little devils for years, never had them stick for more than a few days, maybe 10 at the most.

The strips they put on me, were very sticky, I have trouble removing them.

My EP told me to remove them very carefully. Pull from the ends toward the center, remove each strip individually.

BE SURE YOUR HANDS AND NAILS ARE WELL SCRUBBED WITH HOT SOAPY WATER.BEFORE YOU TOUCH THE AREA. Go slowly.

Under my EP's instructions I removed my Steri Strips after only 3 days, somehow, I have an allergy to something they used when sealing me up. I had blisters form, they broke open Ion their own, I did not touch them or let anything touch them) major mess.

Two weeks is long enough, just be sure everything is clean, work from the outside in toward the incision. Go slow so you do not disturb the tissue. Leaving the strips on too long might cause skin irritation. After 10 days they have served their purpose.

Infection is a huge risk so the new technique is to give the Vancomycin. I load up on yogurt and cranberry juice to fight any problems from the Vancomycin.



Steri strips

by ladysmom - 2015-06-29 10:06:56

Thanks, Tickytickboo.
All for naught.
As my husband says, nothing is straightforward with you.
I developed shingles near my pm site!
I went to the ER as my own doctor is on vacation.
The doctor there gave me a prescription for a shingles antiviral and an antibiotic as well.
He also took my strips off carefully, noted that my wound is healing very well but covered it up again with a big very stuck on bandage.
I live 500 miles by airplane from my cardio, I leave tomorrow by plane and can't wait!
I know I will be in good hands with my cardio, I've been seeing him since 1991.

And I will have some yogurt and cranberry juice as well as lactobacillus acidophilus since I will be taking the antibiotic for a week. With my first pm, I had a slight infection, took antibiotics and got thrush. The LA cleared it up very quickly.

I know what you mean about irritation, that's what was starting to bug me.....

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.