Lead sticking out of the side of the incision

Hello everyone! I am new here and this is my first post. I am 22 years old and I have had a pacemaker for about 7 years and I just got my first one replaced last Tuesday, so this makes for my second pacemaker so far. Everything has been fine until yesterday I felt something protruding on the outside of my inside and before with my last pacemaker I was not able to feel anything like that or feel any leads at all. I wanted to know if anyone has ever had this issue, I left a voicemail for my cardiologist today but I have not heard back yet. I hope there is nothing wrong, please help with your experiences!

6 Comments

Protruding????

by maryanne - 2008-09-04 01:09:50

There should not be anything protruding "outside" the incision site of your PM...if that is the case and you have something sticking out of you skin from that site get yourself to the hosptial NOW! That is not something to take lightly...not only for the complications of the PM but it is a huge source for infection!!

But if you are speaking about something protruding around the PM site but under the skin....maybe a lead has migrated? Did they reposition this PM? there could be many reasons for this...again....go to your doctor and have it checked out.

Please keep us posted....

Also,

by Gellia2 - 2008-09-04 02:09:58

is it possible that you are feeling the connector at the top of the pacemaker itself? Their shape is not round and the doctor may have placed it with the connector going in the opposite direction than your last one. You may also be feeling the wire coiled around the top of it.
If it bothers you, do have it checked out.
Best to you,
Gellia

ITS NOT UNTOWARD

by pete - 2008-09-04 04:09:48

Its quite normal to be able to feel and see wires pushing up from under the implantation area. It is not ok if anything breaks through the skin, that would be an emergency. Cheers pete

Hi again,

by Gellia2 - 2008-09-05 08:09:33

I think every time I've had a replacement (I've had 7) it feels a bit different. They coil the extra wire around the PM and I guess that's a bit different each time, too.
I did have one replacement where I thought the wire would push through my skin. This was fixed on the last replacement by flipping it over so the connector was in the opposite direction and is much more comfortable now.
Having yours checked out will give you piece of mind. As long as it's not pushed through the skin, I don't think there's anything to panic over, though.
Good luck....peace of mind can mean everything!
Gellia

Thank-you!

by jenjen - 2008-09-05 12:09:16

Thanks everyone for responding. Here is the thing I feel it poking underneath my skin but a part of it I feel like it is trying to come through the incision but it has not. It is on the left side of it I can actually if I put my finger on it I feel the actual wire, but to answer your question Gellia2 it is not the connector at the top I wish it was because I know I should see and feel that from my previous pacemaker and that would be a lot more comforting. I tried calling my doctor today and yesterday and no response yet and I still actually go to a children's hospital you would think they are on top of their game : )
I am ok with a wire pking around the skin but they just had the pacemaker replaced and no leads so that was my concern I am not sure where the wire or excess came from, I hope that makes sense, just a little freaked out!

Sorry Maryanne for being a little unclear of my problem! lol. They did not reposition the pacemaker it is in the same place and everything (right below the collarbone).

Thanl-you Pete as well that is a relief.

Stitch

by Snoviper - 2008-09-05 12:09:48

If this is a recent incision sometimes at the corner the internal stitches come through. It is usually white or clear plastic, kinda like a tiny piece of fishing line sticking out of you skin. You can feel it when you rub you finger on it. I had two incisions that had this. I think they are supposed to dissolve at some point. I am at 5 weeks post op and can still feel one of them. Check with your doc but it may just be a stitch.

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