Post ICD implant swelling

Just had my ICD implanted on June 27, which is now over 3 weeks ago. The site has always been very swollen, but last week, when I visited the surgeon's office, his NP took out a stitch that was sticking out of the wound. That night, I awoke to discover that I was covered with old blood streaming from the wound. We were unable to stop it, so we went into the office. The Nurse Practitioner squeezed a lot more of the stuff out of the wound, but on some steri-strips and gauze and sent me home. The next night, same thing happened and I had to return again. She squeezed more out. I left the bandages on until Sat. as advised. Now there is no leakage, but the thing is swelling up again! Isn't this supposed to be getting smaller, not larger? Plus I'm on an antibiotic that makes me nauseated, dizzy and sleepy. Sigh. Getting discouraged, but mostly concerned about the increased swelling. Advice? Thanks for any thoughts. Janet

3 Comments

Infection

by Shortcake - 2012-07-22 08:07:54

Hi Janet,
After reading your post I had to write you and tell you I went thru the exact same thing. Finally they cultured the blood coming from the site and discovered I had ecoli growing in my chest wall. They did the culture after it swelled back up the third time and i was on a heavy dose of antibiotics. The doctors in infection control said it was impossible however it is exactly what was going on. I was immediately scheduled for surgery where they discovered a sponge had been left in the site when they placed the pacer. They had to replace pacer and leads to the other side of my chest. A major mess! Go to your doctor immediately and insist they culture this with a stat order so the results can be seen a little faster. It does take normally 24 to 48 hours but my grew in only 6 hours, so because of the stat order they were checking it hourly. These infections are nothing to play with! I am not trying to scare you but this is major when this drains or is drained and then fills or swells back up, you have something in there that the medicine is not touching.

Please keep us posted! Best of luck!
Susan

Thank You Susan

by jarb723 - 2012-07-22 11:07:44

Hi Susan,
Thank you for your comments. I will act on your advice and call the doctor tomorrow. I am scheduled to see them on Wednesday, but sounds like I need to act now. Thanks again...I will keep you posted. Janet

culture

by Tracey_E - 2012-07-23 10:07:49

You need a culture ASAP, don't take no for an answer. I'd also want to work with an infectious disease dr at this point, not the ep.

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