Has anyone had rejection problems?

Hello,
It has been 6 months since my pacemaker went in. Other than itching around the scar it seems healed. I have had a lot of problems with tingles, pulses and strange sensations in my arms, legs and feet since an adenozine stress test in February. I am curious if I could be having some autoimmune things with my body not liking the foreign object in me? has anyone had any similar things going on? Thanks for the support, it is good to know you all are out there.

3 Comments

Rejection??

by donb - 2009-06-16 07:06:03

Hi, I've been through some of your sensations, but only after years of having PMs' My third replacement which was Medtronic same as the 2 prior units. Knowing that my PM was eroding and had to be removed I got an Alergy Kit from St Jude as my new replacement would be a St Jude PM. I had a local Alergist do the test and found a slight alergy to soft plastics and Epoxy.
Of course alergies are another ball game as I have had other alergy problems over the years.
I would suggest you keep a close watch on your PM site to see if it gets puffy or enlarge along with the itching. I have a new right chest installation since Feb 8th and no problem yet. I am recuperating now from restoration of my left chest site, not fun. The total consensus now is that I'm just too active for my age as my Cardiologist knows that it was not infection and doesn't believe in alergy problems. It's true as I have been in Cardiac Rehab for past two years and still am but limit my arm & chest activities. Thought this might give you some ideas but some of your symtoms may be normal after 6 months post. If you have any questions just send me a private message. DonB

Yea, me.

by bobad - 2009-06-16 08:06:28


I had my first PM for 3 months, and all was well. The site healed very quickly with only a thin scar, and no pain or itching when healed.

One morning I looked at the scar, and it had a little redness. The redness increased for 3 days, and formed some small clear blisters. I had an appointment anyway, and showed my doc. He panicked and removed the PM. Got antibiotics for 5 days, then a new PM on the right side. It was rejected within 2 weeks. A "clean out" and replacement failed within a week. Had it removed, so now I am PM free.

Did a St Jude sensitivity test for 3 days, and it was negative. Mayo clinic recommends 7 days for metals and other non-reactive materials.

They are still debating whether I was mildly allergic to the materials, or the PM was colonized by bacteria causing a low grade infection. Several cultures were all negative.

Because of the time that elapsed, I'm betting on colonization. I hope yours stabilizes.

Have you been checked for current leakage?

Best of luck, and keep us posted!

Yea, me also

by donb - 2009-06-16 09:06:22

Just wanted to come back on this as (bobad) mentioned about current leakage. Well when I had my third PM replaced my Cardiologist said that my one of the two leads was "broken" but I shouldn't worry as he paralled them. This didn't make sense but in the last year he said the lead was cracked (insulation???). As the area that started swelling and itching was where the leads terminate into the top of the PM generator.
As having read another posting of electrolylosis caused by bad leads this can really raise havock with tissue. This issue is not popular with most Cardiologists. Don

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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