REACTION TO PM

my wife had a pace maker five weeks ago about 2 weeks ago she began to have rash show up it seems to be getting worse,
any one ever heard of this type of reaction before?

5 Comments

meds?

by Tracey_E - 2014-08-27 03:08:08

I've had that reaction to antibiotics

Hi LELAND

by IAN MC - 2014-08-27 09:08:34

It is not common but it is possible that your wife is having an allergic reaction to one of the various compounds used to manufacture pacemakers.

She could be allergic to titanium, silicone ,polyurethane, epoxy resins etc. If this is the case your doctor will need to do skin patch allergy tests to find out the cause.

Apparently manufacturers are occasionally asked to make PMs which do not contain certain allergenic compounds for individual patients.

.. or the rash could be a co-incidence and may be nothing to do with the PM

See your Dr and best of luck

Ian

Rash from bandage

by Lurch - 2014-08-27 10:08:08

I got a rash from the bandages that placed over my incision (the adhesive in the strips caused the problem). Once they were removed the rash went away...

I typically develop a rash to any metal jewelry I wear and was a little concerned over the ICD causing a problem, but, so far, nothing at all.

Rash?

by Grateful Heart - 2014-08-27 12:08:11

I did not have a problem until after a lead revision about 3 years ago. Prior to that my implant was fine, no skin eruption and the device laid flat. You didn't even notice it unless you felt it.

My scar erupts about 4 - 6 times a month still. So far, only 4 times this month. I posted a photo of it in the Member Gallery above when I was trying to find an answer....it's still there.

It "blisters up" right above and below the scar line but there is no fluid in it. I can tell when it is going to erupt because it gets VERY itchy with an uncomfortable pressure. There is no rhyme or reason to it, any time of day and it will even wake me up in the middle of the night.

I spoke to Boston Scientific at the time to see if there were any different metals or silicone in the new lead. I went to a few Doctors and Dermatologists seeking an answer. One renowned Dermatologist wanted to stick a needle in my chest with a steroid. I passed on that.

It calms down anywhere from 2 - 6 hours and then you would not even know it happens. The scar looks normal again (for a scar).

The good news is there is no infection, obviously, but the Doctors do not know what causes it. So I just monitor it.

Part of my new normal I guess.

Grateful Heart

Correction

by Grateful Heart - 2014-08-28 12:08:28


Make that 5 times this month. It woke me up at 4 AM this morning....full blown.

It's the strangest thing. Very tight, uncomfortable feeling as if it wants to push out.

Since your wife's rash is so new, I would have her Doctor look at it to make sure it is not an infection.

Grateful Heart

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

Member Quotes

Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.