I have two pacers in me!

Hey everyone.
I'm a18 year old girl and I was born with a complete heart block. So, basically, that's the reason I need a pacemaker to help my heart function well! But the thing is, i have it since i was born. So, the first surgery i had was somewhere around 1998 to change the leads. The second surgery was in 2008 a few years back, but they didn't change the leads. Instead, they implanted a new one at somewhere around my shoulder. I'm wondering if its okay to have two devices in me? Doctors in government hospital ( Malaysia Heart Center) told me its okay..but my former physician in Gleneagles Intan Medical Center mentioned that it has to be removed. It's been three years and more now and I seemed okay with it...But, i would still like some comments about it..Can anyone help?

4 Comments

Two devices or two sets of leads?

by golden_snitch - 2010-10-08 01:10:55

Hey there,
are you sure you have two devices implanted or could it rather be that you have two sets of leads implanted? Two sets of leads would be somewhat normal, especially in young patients who got epicardial leads at first, and then later got transvenous leads. No problem to leave the old epicardial leads in. It would be difficult and risky to remove those. And even in patients who have transvenous leads, and in whom one of the leads fails so that they need a new one, the old one stays in in most of the cases.
If you really have two devices implanted but one isn't connected that should not be a problem, either, as long as you feel well. I would imagine that it must feel uncomfortable to have two devices but if you say you don't feel them, then that's ok.
Best wishes
Inga

2 devices

by Tracey_E - 2010-10-08 04:10:50

Is the old one in your abdomen? I can see why they might leave it and put a new one in your chest when you're big enough for it. Just my opinion, but if it ain't broke don't fix it; I'd leave well enough alone. If it bothers you having the second one there then see about getting it out, but for now I'd probably choose to leave it alone.

Options for better pacing

by Terry - 2010-10-08 06:10:09

Please check this from the Pacemaker Patient Advocacy Group: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3IQkTLU-uE

Re :

by michelicious - 2010-10-09 07:10:24

Inga,
hey, yeah..i'm having two devices and just like what traceyE said, one is somewhere near the abdomen...not in my abdomen, just the side of my body..under my armpit area. and i think if i'm not mistaken, two sets of leads too!
Thx very much for ur comments!^^

TraceyE:
THX so much!
Ronaldo:

I know its not a natural thing! Well, it IS not natural to have anything in me no? LOL...um...yeah, i thought about insisting a removal of the old one. But doctors im seeing now said that the its risky. I just wanna make sure that its really okay.

Terry: thx

Thanks everyone for giving me advises ... it helps a lot! really!

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.