Hi Lisa,
I know how you feel. I am on my 3rd pacemaker in 2 yrs. I have had about 18 different leads too. I now have an epicardial one (outside the heart) with 4 leads. Only mine are all working. But I still have complications. I may have yet more surgery to replace the 4 leads with new ones that just came out. I will have to think about it though. It is not a sure thing that the new lead will work. I have had all the pacemaker complications that can happen. I have had 14 pacer related surgeries too which IS NOT what usually happens. Did you have an EP doc place it? Do you see an EP doctor now? You need to get to a really good one. Please do not be discourged, as we are better off with them then without them.
You can mail me if you want. Go to the support area and do a searh for pacemakers. My name will come up, "Deb". Then you click on it and you will have my e-mail. I would be glad to chat with you. But please remember, that you will be ok in time. The pacemakers do help alot. Hang in there.
Deb
Gee, I would't buy any lottery tickets with your luck. These are all potential complications and it is unfortunate that you have had them all. Hopefully you have "used up" all your alloted complications and things will be "smooth sailing" from here on. It is not a big problem to have the extra leads there and it is generally safer to leave them in rather than remove them. Best wishes for a complication free pacing future.