Is my loop recorder working it’s way out?

[Evod]

Hi all,

I’m new here, I have a question I’m hoping you can help me with.

Got my St Jude implant just over a month ago. It’s a neat piece of technology that works with a smartphone they gave me (it communicates via Bluetooth with the smartphone and the phone sends data to the cardiologist). Really glad I have it as I have several issues that my cardiologist is trying to help me with, sinus tachycardia, PVCS, mitral valve insufficiency, along with occasional pauses and bradycardia as well.

Anyway, the reason I’m writing is, I swear I now feel it trying to come back out where the incision was made. If I run my finger over the now healed incision site, I literally feel what I think is the end of it pushing out, whereas a couple weeks ago there was nothing there to be felt beneath the skin. Has anyone one ever heard of such a thing?

It’s placed behind my left breast, between my breast and my chest wall and the incision is hidden in my cleavage when wearing a bra.. My doctor did a great job of making the incision site invisible, no one can see it unless I show them.

Years ago a friend had a car accident, went through the windshield. He’s fine but nearly 20yrs after the accident, a small, slightly larger than pea-sized piece of windshield glass worked its way out. It had been embedded behind his ear unbeknownst to him, and he said for a few weeks before it actually came out he felt a small lump behind the ear. It itched a bit and he inadvertently scratched one day. As it was very close to the surface at this point he caused it to poke through when he scratched. Tiny drop of blood was felt and as he now identified something foreign there, he kept touching and trying to figure out what it was and after several minutes he had the small piece of glass in his hand.

All these years I remembered this had happened to him, and it makes me wonder if my implant, like that little piece of glass, is perhaps working it’s way out, slowly moving along the same path it went in. Is this possible? I’m a little embarrassed to bring it up with my doctor be cause I don’t want to sound like a nut, but I’d swear my body is forcing it out. Mind you, I have no pain and unless I run my finger over the incision site, I don’t even know it’s there. Just that I did just that recently and I feel it now. And of course now I’m a bit freaked out.

Anyone else experience this? If so, I’m curious to know if it was addressed by a doctor and whether this sort of thing is cause for concern. Does my doctor need to know or is this common and nothing to worry about? Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Evod]

Thank you so much for responding. Now that I know it’s not just my imagination, I feel more confident calling my cardiologist, which I’ll do tomorrow as soon as the office opens (it’s night here). I think I would absolutely lose it if this thing finds it’s way through my skin! I’m tempted to push on it to maybe send it back in further but I know that’s not going to fix it for long so I’ll resist that temptation and see what the doc wants to do about it. So happy this forum is here, and again thank you for the quick reply!

I’ll post after I know what his solution is, in case someone else is dealing with this.

[BobD Volunteer]

Nothing is impossible but we are not best placed to help. Please call your cardiologists secretary and explain ..NOW.

[jeanjeannie50]

I think it's quite natural for the body to try and eject anything foreign. Yours may be succeeding. I agree with Bob and think you need to get expert medical advice. That's certainly what I'd do. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Jean

[JaneFinn]

Hi evod, yes I remember when I had mine put in (an older, larger version) i was told that one of the ‘possible complications’ was it moving or feeling like it’s working its way back out. (Perhaps it happened more with the bigger ones.) Anyway, it’s great that you’re not saying it’s inflamed, sore or hot (as that was what I was told to look out for in terms of urgency) but definitely do contact the cardiologist as soon as they’re open and see what they say.

Good luck, and yes please, do let us know the outcome

[Evod]

Well, on your advice I called the office today and explained the situation and my concerns. I was asked if it’s red, hot, irritated, painful or poking through my skin at all. I explained that it’s none of those things, that I just feel it seemingly very close to the surface now. I was told that since I already have an appointment coming up on the 9th for a check of the device and review of the data collected so far, that I should bring it to the cardiologists attention during that visit. Furthermore, if I do develop pain, redness, or any of the other symptoms noted above prior to that appointment, that I should go to the hospital emergency room for evaluation. So, I’m still concerned but so long as It stays about the same for this next couple weeks they say I should be fine.

If I have any changes in its position or any need to seek emergency help I’ll post to let you know. Otherwise, I’ll wait till I see my doctor and I’ll post with an update after he gets a look at it.

To be continued....

[Evod]

Update: My appointment isn’t until July 9 but the other day I called the office again because I hadn’t felt well, was particularly symptomatic the night before while at work. Every time I stood up I went into tachycardia and felt foggy/dizzy and short of breath, had to sit and as soon as I sat down all gradually went back to normal. This happened several times that evening and so when I called the office in the morning I also reminded them that my implant clearly moved toward the incision site and is pushing out, and that it was much more noticeable now especially when I move around. I said I was concerned that it’s definitely not where the doc placed it. My latest concern I said, is whether it’s still working right given it’s new location.

This time they had me come right in for a look see. Literally within the hour. They looked and felt and agreed it is definitely up against the incision site. The nurse explained that this new type is very new technology and one big difference between some of the older types is that this one is not sewn in or anchored in place in any way. They expect it to move a bit and then settle down, however it’s not supposed to try and leave my body altogether. The good news is it’s still working. Bad news is even with all that I still didn’t get to see the cardiologist, only nursing staff.

They did say they would pass their findings along to him and if he feels the need to see me before the 9th they’ll call me. They didn’t call so he’s obviously not concerned although I wish he were, it’s bugging me even though it’s not painful. I don’t want to notice it, I was not supposed to even know it’s there. Thankfully it’s doing it’s job and that’s the main thing but I wish it was as “invisible” as I was told it would be.

I’ll post what doc says about all of it after I see him on the 9th

[BG2017 in reply to Evod]

I hope all goes well until the 9th. My pacemaker has been ‘migrating ‘ over the last year. It is now quite prominent but still doing it’s job and that’s the main thing. Hopefully your recorder will settle in its new position. I am imagining that it must be quite a rare event for the body to fully reject either of these things. Hopefully your appointment on the 9th will be reassuring .

[Evod in reply to BG2017]

Thanks for the reassuring words BG. At this point I actually wouldn’t care if it did pop right out of there if it hadn’t been so darn expensive to put in there to begin with lol, not to mention I’d be back to square one trying to figure out what my heart is doing and why.

[Raelen]

What did you find out from your Dr and what did they need to do? I’m new at this and it feels like my ILR is doing the same thing. It feels like it’s stabbing me at times. Mine was put in in August of 2021.