Pacemaker pocket infection

[Beejaysee]

First post - hi everyone

Saw my GP on Friday as 3 month old pacemaker was red and sore (not the wound but the PM site).

He referred me to my cardio who brought me in to hospital right away and removed the PM on Saturday as the pocket was infected and am now on IV drip waiting for new PM implant today (Tuesday). Had thought infection risk was gone after 3 months with only issue appearing in the past few days , now have to have new PM on other side of chest as infected pocket can’t be reused. Worried about how I got infection with only signs appearing 3 months later and what if it happens again on the other side?

Anyone else had similar problem? Thanks for reading my post 👍

[Hidden]

Dear Beejaysee

Thank you for sharing your experience with your infected Pacemaker Pocket.

I for one found it fascinating and like you am totally mystified how you would have this well after the healing period.

Good luck with your new procedure today, I will be interested in your continuing story, please keep us informed on how they are treating you and what the prognosis is.

Not everything goes right with what we are told are standard operations, many years have taught me that once the skin barrier is cut, all sorts of problems can happen, I am sure all will be well this time for you.

You are in my thoughts.

[Beejaysee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your nice reply - I will keep you informed how things progress.

[Qualipop in reply to Beejaysee]

Is it possible you could be allergic to thematerial the PM is made of?

[Beejaysee in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks for your suggestion, Qualipop - I’ll look into that, although I’m not generally allergic to anything this is the first time I’ve had all this “stuff” actually inside my body 🤔

[Qualipop in reply to Beejaysee]

Just a thought. I have a lot of allergies but the most difficult one is nickel. II can't even wear my wedding ring because there's just a trace in it. For me it's 22 carat or nothing

[Beejaysee in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks again 👍

[Beejaysee in reply to Hidden]

I’m now recovering from the implantation of my new pacemaker on the right side - the procedure seemed to be both faster and less complicated than my first pacemaker implant (which was done as an emergency in a large city hospital when we were away from home). Although sore and bruised, the new implant doesn’t feel as bad as my first op (or maybe I’m just aware of what to expect) although, being right handed, it’s a bit more restrictive this time. Fingers crossed 🤞 - the cardio wants to see me in 10 days to check both wounds and follow up generally.(By the way, the emergency removal of my original pacemaker from the infected pocket was one of the most painful procedures I’ve ever experienced as the PM was well embedded - I’m pretty sure local anaesthesia is insufficient for that op 🥴)

[Hidden in reply to Beejaysee]

Thank you for your update and I am so glad that you are now in your recovery stage, good luck with it all, you are in my thoughts

[EMBoy]

So sorry you are having a bad time.

I usually tell people that having a pacemaker is one of the best things that happened to me as I had no problems and it has changed my life. However, I have done a lot of research into things and am aware that problems do occur, even if they are very rare. You seem to have drawn the short straw, but I'm glad you are on the mend. Infections are insidious and can sometimes take a while to show themselves.

I assume that the IV drip was for antibiotics, so hopefully, everything will go well this time.

Pacemakers are made of titanium which is also used for things like dental implants, replacement hips/knees etc. because the vast majority of people do not react to it. There are a few who do, however, but it is very very rare.

Like you, I have heart block and having the pacemaker has given me a new lease of life. I hope that when you recover from your surgery, you too will have a new life.

All the best..

[Beejaysee in reply to EMBoy]

Hi Emboy - thanks for your supportive post. Yes, the IV was antibiotic (now continuing as tablets). I was really pleased with my first pacemaker - no more complete heart block blackouts and reassurance that it was there, even though only pacing 0.5% of the time.As you say, infections are insidious and I was just unlucky to be the 1 in 100 we are warned about pre op. However, I’m positive for the future and hope my new PM stays infection free and I enjoy the benefits it can bring.

My only concern is for others who are unsure whether their symptoms are a problem or not - if it feels wrong, see you Dr/Cardio as an infection not treated and getting to your heart can be extremely serious.

Thanks again for your kind words 🙂