Replacement Pacemaker

Worse condition and upgraded pacemaker to CRT?

by BOBTHOM - 2018-10-23 21:41:13

Could it be that your heart condition has worsened and you now require a different type of pacemaker?  The CRT models are usually larger.  You don't have enough info in your post or on your profile so not sure how much help anyone can give you.

Second PM

by Skeet - 2018-10-24 00:51:58

My second pacemaker also sticks out a bit more. I just try to live with it. Glad it is working, and I am living. 

Skeet

Sorry you don't like it

by atiras - 2018-10-24 08:53:47

I guess that it's hard to deal with if the appearance matters to you... maybe give it a while longer to see if you get used to it, in parallel with exploring your options with your doctor (your profile doesn't say where you live, so it's hard to know how much latitude you have, but a discussion should always be possible).

For example, when my device was first put in at the beginning of September, it wasn't visible at all -- however, it moved within 12 days and caused pain and numbness in my arm.  The doctors (in the UK) explained that they'd rather wait for it to stabilise in preference to opening me up again with the increased risk of infection; but I had a choice between it being invisible and probably moving again even if they repositioned it deep, or being moved to somewhere it was visible but much more comfortable. I insisted on comfortable but visible -- to me, it's only a lump/bump -- how it looks is less important than how it feels (but everybody is different).

In your case, you know the old device was stable when it was invisible -- but maybe the new device is bigger? maybe the old pocket was no longer usable? You'll only know if you talk to your doctor. And knowing why it's positioned as it is may help you come to terms or decide how to proceed.

Under the Muscle?

by lefty2 - 2018-10-25 15:04:26

I am wodering if your Doctor would consider placing the ICD under the muscle? I recently had a CRT-ICD placed under the muscle and it is barely noticeable.

Thank you

by El,Senor - 2018-10-25 16:04:11

Many thanks everyone for responding 

Pacemaker position

by Eugenia - 2018-10-27 14:35:52

Hi also have a problem pacemaker location! It is too close to my shoulder/arm joint and points toward that area. It causes me to be skeptical about how I sleep (does anyone sleep on your left side since having the device implanted???). It seemed to have moved in that direction and is sometimes VERY prominent (inserted last year) and is not comfortable. However,I would rather not have surgery again to move it. I'm supposing that whenever the battery needs to be replaced, it will be done then.

placement

by Tracey_E - 2018-10-29 12:08:38

Is the new one bigger? If it is, it may not fit in the pocket as well as the first one. Ten days isn't long, it should settle in more as you heal. 

That said, my first 4 were buried deep under the breast. Apparently the last one was stuck and they had trouble getting it out so the ep didn't put the new one in as deep. I was NOT happy!!!!! We talked about placement beforehand, he wanted to move it and I specifically said absolutely not, but he moved it anyway. Then it shifted so now it catches on the edge of my workout bra or when I sleep on my left sometimes. I'm very angry with that ep but not doing anything about it. Because what good would it do? What's done is done. I don't want him working on my again because I don't trust him to do what I asked. I have a new ep who offered to move it if I want to but I'm probably not going to bother. It's annoying as all get out, but it doesn't hurt and the new ep said there's no danger to how much it moves, so I don't want the infection risk or recovery time of another surgery.