position of pacemaker

[Miheart]

Hi, I’ve had my pacemaker for just four weeks now and it doesn’t feel to me as though it’s in the right position. I have a check up next week and will ask lots of questions but I’m keen to get an idea about what is ‘normal’ so as not to waste too much of their valuable time.

It basically feels to me as though the edge of the device is sitting in the fleshy bit of the armpit. I can feel two or three pea sized lumps quite close to the skin and wonder if these are where the leads are connected. The area still feels quite tender. Also, some arm movements (and I’m still not moving the arm above my head or anything) seem restricted, as though something (presumably the device) is in the way. I have a lot to learn so anny insights would be gratefully received.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I can't comment on the position of your pacemaker. However I suggest your cardio specialists are there to serve you not the other way round. Your time with them is perhaps more valuable for you as you only get so long allocated. So I suggest you compile a written list of your questions before you attend your appointment and you will be able to read them off rather than try to remember them all, and that will be the best outcome for you and them as well

[Miheart in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Ah, yes, thank you - great minds think alike! I already have a long list questions written down!

[L8Again]

Based on my wife’s experience, the first pacemaker check is carried out by a pacing team followed by an annual check. They will check the pacemaker parameters to ensure that the device is working properly and that the leads remain in place. They will ask you how you are feeling: for example, my wife commented that her heart rate increased the moment she stood up from a seated position and they made a small adjustment to the built in accelerometer. They will also take a record of the % of the time that the upper and lower chambers are paced, and look at battery remaining life. They will check the wound scar.

My wife did not meet with any of the pacemaker implantation surgical team and hasn’t done so since the pacemaker was inserted. If there were any concerns resulting from the pacing check I am sure that the pacing team would take advice from/make an internal referral to one of the hospital’s cardiologists.

My wife had some discomfort for a few weeks after the procedure. Muscle healing and scarring can result in acute pain spasms. My niece’s husband had his pacemaker fitted last year and he was referred for a scan for a frozen shoulder. The scan revealed nothing untoward and the problem was resolved with some physiotheraphy.

Our daughter is now on her second pacemaker. She meets with her pacing team and cardiologist at separate appointments at a major heart and chest hospital. Her latest pacemaker has rotated 180 degrees in the pouch and she can see the connecting wires and terminals. She has been told that no one is going to reopen a pacemaker pouch when a pacemaker is functioning normally because of the very high risk of introducing a serious infection.

I only mention the above so that you appreciate that you might get all the answers that you are seeking at your forthcoming appointment.

[Miheart in reply to L8Again]

Thank you for the thorough reply! There’s certainly a lot of pacing experience in your family!

[Gfern]

I think that it’s just very new to you and of course you are still very conscious of it being there. I am sure that this is quite normal it was for me , and after your check up you will be more assured about its operation. I was quite conscious of mine but twelve months in I hardly think about now, it is my new normal and I am happy to have it looking out for me. Best of luck with your review.

[Miheart in reply to Gfern]

Thank you for the reassurance and fingers crossed it’s the same for me!

[Queserasera25]

Hi Miheart. When I had my Pacemaker I had a very large Haematoma form, that, as I was told, was caused by the Warfarin I was already on and took quite a long time to heal and was very tender. A Pacemaker usually settles in about 6 Weeks normally, depending on how your body re-acts to it. Everyone is different which I'm sure you are already aware of. The Pea Size Lumps you are talking about could well be the leads, but the TechnicIans will soon put your Mind at ease when you see them. Best of Luck!

[Miheart in reply to Queserasera25]

Thank you for the reassurance. I did wonder about a haematoma as I’m on Clopidogrel.

[BlueTricia]

I've now had my pacemaker for about 6 months and it felt tender for about 6 weeks..mine also seems very near to my armpit but I've been assured its fine and because I'm quite skinny I'm more aware of it. I wear a soft hanky around my bra strap and now quite used to it being there. I know its doing a great job with my irregular beats. So just trying to put on weight and ignore this strange, but pain-free little lump !!

[Miheart in reply to BlueTricia]

Ah, that sounds familiar! They did say it would probably be obvious as I’m thin, I just didn’t expect it to stick out!! Hopefully we’ll both be able to ignore it soon enough!

[Miheart]

hi. I had my check last week and all was well. The nurse confirmed that the lumps I could feel were the edge of the pm (I thought they were smooth!) and said it was fine. However, as the swelling has continued to go down it feels even more obvious and I can pretty much feel both sides of it in the fleshy bit of my armpit. Anyone other than BlueTricia experienced this?