pocket revision

Had a pocket revision 6 months after battery change. It is now almost a month and feeling very tired. Dr. stated some people bounce back faster than others. However, I am so glad I did it as the last surgeon botched it. I had leads poking and pacemaker top pushing through skin and traveling PM to underarm.
Now, the original surgeon placed it deeper and I don't feel any pain. Did any one ever have a PM pocket revision and what did you experience and how successful was it?
Thanks

3 Comments

Been there, done that.

by ADalsmom - 2008-09-08 11:09:49

Hi....

I had the same problem when I had my first pacemaker implanted about 18 mos ago. Seems like they just stuck the PM right under the skin, with the leads and PM popping out. It was very uncomfortable and I couldn't place anything over the area due to the pain. I was fortunate that it didn't reposition, as yours did. My PM didn't improve my arrhythmias with A-Fib so eventually I needed a bi-ventricular PM with an AV node ablation. They removed the old pacemaker and replaced it....at that time I asked that it be placed deeper in my chest and under the muscle. It was more painful to heal, but once healed that area is much more comfortable. I can't compare my recovery to yours, since I felt much better and had more energy almost immediately, since my heart rate was finally regular and more stable. I've had chronic a-fib for the past 3 yrs or so and I still feel tired a great deal of the time, in spite of the PM implants. I attribute it somewhat to my heart being weaker and maybe due to just getting older.

I'm sure that you'll regain more of your energy in time....you need to take things gradually.

Take care, Claudia

pacemaker and defibrillator

by rayan - 2008-09-09 12:09:14

Hello:
I too had my def/pm relplaced after just 3 mos. The connections were not set right, so I had my new one,
placed into the muscle and breast. The first one was under my skin also. It felt that when I bent over, it was gonna fall out. Every time I showered and touched that area thought I would go up the wall. Boy it hurt all the time. And the seat belt ouch!! I am into 10 days post the second transplant. Feels so much better. Don't even know that it is there. I don't have any pain now, but was very painful when I was in surgery. About feeling tired I have my days. Yesterday I also had a let down feeling, kind of in the dumps feeling. I too tire easily. Can't wait to get to my old self back. Am hoping that I can go back to work, partime. Best of luck to you. I think it all takes time. My heart was working only 15%, don't yet if this will help. Maybe the meds. will repair it? Don't know....rayan

Horror story

by applefan - 2008-09-13 12:09:21

Horror story

I had my PM replaced a few years ago and the physician did a horrible job. The pacemaker was placed right below the skin, I felt so scared every time I moved I thought "Oh shi# it's going to shift position or slip out of it's pocket" My insurance is crap, they would not pay for a repositioning. I went three years like that, eventually the skin just above the pacemaker degraded and tore, I COULD SEE THE PACEMAKER PROTRUDING FROM MY BODY, I went to the ER and spent the next month in the hospital, (The site had become infected) If anyone is suffering with a misplaced or wrongly placed Pacemaker, GET IT REPOSITIONED do not hesitate.

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

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