I can feel the leads!

Can anyone else feel their leads from the PM to the chambers?

I could feel the leads as they went in during the operation and I can still feel them now, some days are worse than others. Its constantly there but I can't lean on my left side when on the sofa as this makes it worse or sleep on my left side. I am only 6 weeks post op on my first device, I have never had pain in my chest before and all I can liken this to is a similar sensation to when I got a fish bone stuck but this is in my chest from the top of the breastbone in to both chambers its very disconcerting, even taking a deep breath hurts.

Does the feeling subside ?

6 Comments

Leads

by aldeer - 2013-01-08 01:01:15

Yes, I definitely feel and see the lead wire because I have no fat there at all and a very long lead wire. At first it had quite a "coil" in it because the EP wanted it that way so I could swim. Well, after five years I see the wire is quite straight because my pm has migrated down quite a bit. So now I have decided it is time to stop swimming. That's o.k. because I can still take my walks. My cardiologist really didn't approve of swimming with a pacemaker near the clavicle because of friction with the wire thru the bones in reaching out. At 85, I am quite happy with my walks and have lots of good swimming memories! Have not been able to sleep on my left side until the last year or so. Best of luck....aldeer

Feel - on the inside

by SBrowse - 2013-01-08 01:01:17

Thank you for your messages, I have an appointment tomorrow morning so hopefully I will find out if it’s just me or something is going on!

I was awake for the procedure also but had the complication of the local not working effectively and the pain relief didn’t kick in until after the operation had finished, it wasn’t a pleasant experience to say the least. I can feel the wires that run along my collar bone but they are only tender almost numb/tingly to the touch rather than sore. Its behind my breastbone and it feels like inside my heart its very strange and hard to describe, I know that there is limited nerve endings but it feels like something is stuck.

Thanks
Sara

Sure

by ElectricFrank - 2013-01-08 02:01:03

The leads especially where they leave the pacemaker can be noticeable for a thin skinned person. Over time you will develop thicker skin over them and they become less noticeable. Even so I sometimes feel mine with certain movements that squeeze or press on the area even had mine for several years. The important thing is not to become anxious about it.

The rest of the route from the pacer to the heart shouldn't have much sensation. The leads immediately enter a large vein which has little if any nerves. I remained totally awake during my implant and I felt nothing as the leads were fished down the vein, and screwed into my heart wall.

frank

Feel - as in to be touch externally

by RobertS - 2013-01-08 10:01:02

or feel them inside?

I've had my PM for 4 weeks now and can feel vey little normally unless I twist awkwardly of bash the PM site itself. I too felt nothing during the lead implants and thare are few sensory nerves in the vein they go through or the heart wall so you shouldn't be aware of the leads in there.

I know some of us have more discomfort than others and it does take time to settle in but seems odd to me that after six weeks you have this pain. I'd get it checked out as soon as you can.

Good luck

Robert

Pacmaker migrating

by ElectricFrank - 2013-01-09 02:01:30

There is no reason a pacemaker should move other than a slight rotation. According toe the Medtronics Implant Manual the pacemaker body should be sutured to the tissue in the pocket using the eyelets provided. They highly stress the need to do this to prevent migration.

The only reason I can see for not suturing it down is laziness. It is one more thing that can be skipped to save time in a busy OR. Makes me wonder what else happens in such an environment.

By the way aldeer, as you likely know I'm going on 83 and since getting my pacer in 2004 I've slam banged around in my Jeep with the seat belt hitting my pacer with no problem. My cardio told me not to worry since he had it stitched.

By the way, for those of you who have had them go to work before the local took effect, that's your responsibility to tell them to stop and insist on it. Heck I made them take time to put pillows under my neck, arms, and legs plus loosen the straps on my arms, before starting. It's my body.

frank

frank

And the leads should be sutured

by RobertS - 2013-01-09 04:01:35

too. The manual that comes with my Medtronic leads says that the leads should be secured by sutures to the tissue using non absorbable sutures. There is a grooved sleeve over the lead to stop the insulation wearing away and round which the sutures loop. So the leads shouldn't move. It also says to be careful when inserting the leads that they are not inserted in a position where they can become trapped between the clavicle and the first rib. It depends on which route they used to insert the leads. We are all different in our venous anatomy.

My seatbelt doesn't hurt my pacer either but my 4 yr old grandson's head does! Mind you, the pacer has only been in 4 weeks so still 'recovering'.

Pity about the swimming, aldeer. Its a great all round exercise and puts no strain on the joints like pounding pavements does.

Robert

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

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