3rd PM in 3 months due to lead detaching

I am scheduled for my 3rd PM surgery in 3 months, next Tuesday due to my lead detaching. The first time, the top lead detached and now the bottom lead has detached. They replaced the entire pacemaker last time but this time I think they are just replacing the lead. However, I'm not sure. My friends,that have pacemakers, told me they felt better quickly after surgery. I felt worse and have had very erratic heartbeats constantly. I told my physician and he didn't think it was a big deal until my follow up appointment when he realized one of the leads was detached. This has happened both times and I'm really concerned about a 3rd surgery and going thru all this again with the same results. My first PM surgery was Oct 1, 2013 second one was Oct 29, 2013. It is a Medtronic device. Has anyone else had a similar experience or do you have any advice?

3 Comments

another opinion?

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-04 02:12:12

On no!! So sorry to hear you are still having problems. I would definitely get another opinion before letting the same surgeon have a third try at it. Ask if they are trying a different type of lead this time. They come in screw and barb type. Sometimes our heart just isn't compatible with one or the other so it can be placed well but still not stick. Unless there is a structural reason why your leads are hard to place or there is a question about the skill of the surgeon doing the placing, I would ask about using the other type this time.

Same problem

by Halt - 2013-12-04 11:12:21

Hi I am 73 years old and had a pm placed June 2012 felt sick for over 4 months. Dr said everything was working fine but all of a sudden I started to get shocked in my upper stomach and they informed me the upper lead had moved went in for surgery that sept. Reattached lead I went home and felt really good for about 2 months then I started feeling sick again also was really tired and short of breath my blood preasure was really low 95/60 again I complained and they discovered the upper lead had moved again. This time I ask for a different surgeon and he replaced the lead with one that screwed into my heart instead of just clipping on the side of my hearth that was last July and I have been feeling a lot better so I believe everything is holding So hang in there you are not alone

kford35

by 78+ - 2013-12-04 12:12:08

I would probably get a second opinion. Praying for you.

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

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I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.