How do you know if you've dislodged a lead?

How do u know if you've dislodged/pulled a lead? my job involves heavy lifting, over the past week I have had a sore shoulder around the PM site; my PM was implanted under my muscle so i could only feel the edge of it - I think it might have moved because it feels like its sticking out more. I have no idea how little i'm paced (it only paces for a few beats every month or two). How do i know if i've dislodged a lead because my PM is used so infrequently....???

5 Comments

Bad Lead?

by SMITTY - 2011-02-07 01:02:59

Hi Anita,

The only way that I know of that you can find out for certain if you have damaged a lead is to get a pacemaker checkup. This is especially so with your PM pacing no more than you say. You don't say how long you have had your PM but if you have had it several months damaging a lead from heavy lifting is unlikely. With the soreness it is possible the PM has shifted a little but that is unlikely to affect the leads as they would just shift along with the PM.

As I said since I think a checkup is the only way for you to know for certain if you have a bad lead, so I suggest you find out by getting one. That way you can find out if you have reason, or not, to be concerned.

Good luck,

Smitty

get it checked

by Tracey_E - 2011-02-07 07:02:40

It's more likely the muscle is irritated than the leads are dislodged, but when it doubt get it checked as Smitty said. Leads are secured pretty well after the first few weeks and would not be affected by the pm itself shifting.

Moby Dick

by donr - 2011-02-07 09:02:33

Anita: Give those leads a few weeks & they are as secure as a harpoon in the hide of Moby Dick! I had a lead replaced on 29 Mar 2007. On 12 June 2007, I stopped a Jeep Cherokee w/ my right shoulder, receiving 8-12 broken ribs, a broken collar bone, a collapsed lung lobe, lacerated liver & bruised kidney. 3 Days in ICU, 9 more in regular room.

PM leads are planted on LEFT side of heart chambers. X-rays showed ZERO effect on leads or implant sites. Daughter, who is an ER Doc, tells me afterward that such an impact can actually dislodge the heart from its moorings! My cardio seconded the evaluation. Both were surprised that I suffered no internal injury like that.

Chances are that your problem is NOT broken leads.

Don

I felt like crap at the gym...

by heckboy - 2011-02-08 01:02:47

...and I knew what had happened. You should get to know your body and how your PM responds to its needs. When I didn't feel good doing my regular workout, I knew there was a problem with the PM.A checkup confirmed that I had pulled a lead.

thanks

by Anita Sword - 2011-02-08 12:02:10

Thanks for your advice!

Smitty - I've had my PM for 5 months, i've got high grade AV block it hardly ever kicks in but when i get ventricular standstill its for a good 8 seconds or so.

I do think maybe the PM has just shifted a little but i'll go get it tested just to make sure.

Don - you are very lucky!!! hopefully u made a full recovery from your superhero efforts to stop a car!

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

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I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.