One Year Anniversary

Happy Holidays Everyone!

December 9th with be one year since the implantation of my Boston Scientific CRT-D/ICD. So far no problems and I remain incredibly grateful for the device and the doctors on my team.

However, the site location is still from time to time "slightly" sore.
I attribute that to a number of things, my sleeping positions, exercising, the ol' seatbelt interference...and realizing that there is a rather large chunk of metal in my chest.

My ICD protrudes prominently on my chest, as it was not placed deep beneath muscle. My doctor explained the shallower the implant, the less painful a recovery...and he was correct as my recovery was relatively painless.

Do any of you still "feel" any sort of sensation, dull aching, pinching, etc. with your devices?

Thanks and Happy Holidays.

P.S. Those of you considering, planning or preparing for a Pacemaker/ICD...Good Luck...way more than likely it will definitely enhance the quality of your life and won't be any where near the pain and hassle your imagination is making it out to be.

Ron

5 Comments

Once in a while

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-05 02:12:12

Mine rarely is noticeable, but once in a while I will make some movement that lets me know it is there. Earlier today I reached up into a high cabinet and when I lowered my arm the pacer rode up over my clavicle. I just pushed it back down and forgot about it. Feeling it now it isn't at all sore and is back where it normally resides.

Your ICD is somewhat larger so the potential is greater.

Glad things are going well.

frank

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

by Pookie - 2010-12-05 07:12:06

or Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!

It's amazing how we all will remember the date for the rest of our lives when we first got our implants. We might forget they are in our bodies from time to time, but most of us will never forget that day.

I've had my pacer since November 2 of 2004 and once in a while, like Frank said, I will sleep a particular way or reach for something and it will remind me it's there, but other than that, I can now say I haven't thought about it for about 3 yrs.

And now that they finally have my settings correct for me (after 5 and a half years!!!!!!!!) my mind hardly ever thinks about my pacer any more at all. It's so sad it took them that long to figure me out, but, hey, that's my luck. That is also why I am here almost every day telling members to NEVER ever ever ever give up hope.

Take care and it was great hearing from you.

Pookie

Still occassional pain

by turboz24 - 2010-12-05 09:12:48

After more than 3 years, yes my ICD will still ache/irritate me from time to time.

It goes the gambit from quick stabbing pain, to itching, to causing occassional muscle spasms. There is no problem with the ICD, it's not used for pacing and my doctor has told me simply it will cause me occassional pain/discomfort as long as I have it. Afterall, it is a 34 cc chunk of metal....

Thinking of pacemaker

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-05 11:12:54

About the only time I think about my pacemaker is when I log on this forum. Hmmm, That's almost every day LOL.

good thumpin,

frank

Hmm!!!!

by donb - 2010-12-06 09:12:57

Pookie's right!!! We never forget our 1st PM!!! At age 78 I can't remember my 2nd, 3rd, or even my 4th PM dates. BUT, the 1st was August 31, 1992. My Cardiologist was given the choice by my wife (cardiac nurse) that Don's been in here for 10 days, He's either getting a PM tomorrow or he's leaving for his annual trip to the big fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. That's implanted in my memory for keeps. donb

You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

Member Quotes

Good luck with your surgery. It will improve life amazingly.