Blow to chest

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone ever had a blow to the pacemaker site that caused complications? I was in karate class and recv'd a pretty significant blow directly to my pacemaker and have had pain in that area ever since.
Thanks

6 Comments

ouch

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-04 06:05:16

They usually recommend we don't do full contact sports! You may want to look in to a protective vest for the future. If the pain doesn't go away in a day or two, or if you have any indication at all that it's not pacing the way it should (i.e. the symptoms you had before you got it or low hr), call the dr asap.

Pain

by lwiggin1 - 2009-05-04 09:05:23

It is hard to tell - I have been having alot of problems with my pacemaker to begin with (see my previous posts). They are still trying to get it fixed (or I may have to have the generator changed- not sure yet). They have been switching my modes back and forth trying to figure out a setting that will work for me so I am not sure which is which. This happened last Thursday and still having some pain. But have been feeling lousy right along - this is just on top of everything else. Yikes!
I was not expecting the contact, but I was working with a lower belt who did not have alot of control and hit me in the chest with the end of a knife handle while doing a basic drill. I have been trying not to let my problems with my pacemaker rule my life so I continue to try to do things. Have to be more careful in the future I guess.

Thank you!

by lwiggin1 - 2009-05-04 09:05:28

I will definately check that out! I have been trying to find something. That helps.

protection

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-04 09:05:54

You absolutely should get on with your life! These things don't define us, though we do need to respect them. If you do a search of the older posts, there have been several discussions with links to companies that sell protection so you can spar without fear of damage.

Blow to pacer

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-04 11:05:30

I tripped over a rock while hiking in the desert. My large SLR camera was between the pacer and the ground. The impact didn't do any permanent harm, but the pacer area was sore for almost a week.

By the way the camera survived!

A lot depends on the direction of the impact. The pacer is in a pouch they make under your skin. If the impact pushed the pacer laterally under your skin it could have torn some cartilage and caused some bleeding in the pocket. If it doesn't settle down in 2-3 week post impact it is time to call the doc.

frank

Blow to chest

by riodog - 2009-06-07 02:06:05

I tripped out in the back yard and landed heavily and smack on my 3 wk old PM. Hurt a lot the next day so my Cardiologist worked me in and got a tech in to check the operation of the PM. Everyone said it was perfectly OK, no damage. However, it took over a month for the pain to go away and I now have some angina, so..............who knoiws.

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I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.