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Pacemaker removal & symptoms of infection
I had a pacemaker placed 4 months ago. Since then, I have a lot of pain and burning sensation in and around the area of the pacemaker. It feels like someone's holding a hot match against my skin in one particular area. I have sick sinus and tachybrady. I take atenolol, digoxin and have the pacemaker. I was dropping down as low as the low 30s freguently. I pace 22% of the time. Could there be a lead broken or what would cause the pain and burning? Also, could I safely have the pacemaker removed and I be able to live just fine without it? The doctor doesn't see any signs of infection and doesn't know the reason for the pain and burning sensations, and said the pacemaker seems to be working fine.
I had a Medtronics ICD implanted on December 2, 2015, lately I have been experiencing a burning like sensation around the ICD. I too thought it might be an infection. To add insult to injury, last Wednesday I began to feel a slight pain under my armpit followed by swelling down my entire arm, so on Friday I went to see my vascular doctor, they did an ultrasound on my arm and found that I had two blood clots. The vascular doctor thinks that the clots were formed as a result of the ICD. I will have to contact my cardiologist tomorrow to address the burning sensation, but for now I'm back on blood thinners to help dissolve the clots. If I'm told anything about the burning sensation, I will post it.
My situations sounds a lot like yours. I had a PM placed 8 months ago and have had occasional little sharp pains, but now have continual burning pain. The scar is completely healed and I don't feel any soreness around the site, but this persistent burning is worrying me. I asked my cardiologist about the sharp little pricking pains I was having and he acted like it was no big deal and so I stopped worrying about it until now when it is persistent and doesn't seem to go away. I'm seeing my cardiologist, who is an electrophysiologist and very experienced, for a regular check-up and hope he has an answer! I'll let you know what I find out.
Had a pm installed July 2014. The incision has healed and just a scar is visual. Have not had any passing out or fainting spells since the installation. Have had some burning feelings around the pacemaker at times. Looking for answers on why. Have not called the Dr. yet. Not able to get in to see the Cardiologists till Nov. That's a long time for a follow-up, so I amat the mercy of the Dr.'s
Have a St. Jude Medtronics Monitor hooked up, but no phone calls from the nurse saying anything is wrong. I have two wire pacemaker.
Have a St. Jude Medtronics Monitor hooked up, but no phone calls from the nurse saying anything is wrong. I have two wire pacemaker.
Had a pm installed July 2014. The incision has healed and just a scar is visual. Have not had any passing out or fainting spells since the installation. Have had some burning feelings around the pacemaker at times. Looking for answers on why. Have not called the Dr. yet. Not able to get in to see the Cardiologists till Nov. That's a long time for a follow-up, so I amat the mercy of the Dr.'s
Have a St. Jude Medtronics Monitor hooked up, but no phone calls from the nurse saying anything is wrong. I have two wire pacemaker.
Have a St. Jude Medtronics Monitor hooked up, but no phone calls from the nurse saying anything is wrong. I have two wire pacemaker.
I am on my second pacer and have not had the difficulty you are experiencing. I wish it were better for you. I can suggest that you go in for an interrogation but ask for the pacer rep to be there also. That way the pacer can be adjusted and checked for a cracked lead. I probably would discuss the pain yet again with the doc. Remember the old adage about the squeaky wheel.
As far as having the pacer removed, that is best left up to a doc's opinion. If in fact you are paced 22%, that sounds like you really need the device.
If things are not working out for you, seek a second opinion. I did and it was well worth it for me.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
As far as having the pacer removed, that is best left up to a doc's opinion. If in fact you are paced 22%, that sounds like you really need the device.
If things are not working out for you, seek a second opinion. I did and it was well worth it for me.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
my husband got his pacemaker in Feb. 2011, He experiences pain and burning, and most of the time wants the pacemaker removed. It wakes him up during the night pacing, says in a 24 hour day he feels it pacing frequently, and that it is painful. He has asked the Dr. on several occasions, and he says the pacemaker is doing its job.
I've had my icd for a year now and I still feel it burning. I wouldn't say that it actually hurts and it may not be as strong of a burn as it was 6 months ago. It does feel like an infection - I even had my dr give me an antibiotic about 8 weeks after the surgery and I made an extra trip into the cardiologist's office to do a test on my icd to make sure that I didn't break a lead. I can say that I've pretty well gotten used to it. I think it's a combination of the leads healing in the heart along with when the pacer is pacing a lot - the leads heat up and I'm a bit sensitive to that. My daughter doesn't pace like I do and she said she's never felt the brning. Give it a little more time because you do heal quickly on the outside but a lot slower on the inside. Good luck!
It took me over a year before I stopped feeling pain in the incision area for my pacemaker. I had itching and soreness for the next two years after that. The nerves dont necessarily line up properly. I hope that helps. I know ---it is awful.
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On the Medtronic website it lists "sensitivity to the materials of the pacemaker" as one problem that may occur. Doctors don't seem to be very familiar with this, but Medtronic will supply a patch test kit to test for allergic reactions to their specific pacemaker materials. I expect that the other pacemaker companies can provide something similar. I suggest you call the manufacturer of your pacemaker and find out.
On the Medtronic website it lists "sensitivity to the materials of the pacemaker" as one problem that may occur. Doctors don't seem to be very familiar with this, but Medtronic will supply a patch test kit to test for allergic reactions to their specific pacemaker materials. I expect that the other pacemaker companies can provide something similar. I suggest you call the manufacturer of your pacemaker and find out.
Quote "Most people are back on their feet in a few weeks."
It is not true for the first pacemaker implanted. It might take a few weeks to get rid of the bruises but not the pain. The pain that I had (first pacemaker), it last for a few months. May be it was done under a Local anaesthetic.
Yes, second, third. fourth........ It heals much quicker because they don't need to dig a pocket. Less burises and less pain. It takes a week to heal. After 3 days no more pain. May be it was done under a General anaesthetic. It heals faster and better.
Those are my experience. Different people might experience different reaction. Hope you're getting better soon.
It is not true for the first pacemaker implanted. It might take a few weeks to get rid of the bruises but not the pain. The pain that I had (first pacemaker), it last for a few months. May be it was done under a Local anaesthetic.
Yes, second, third. fourth........ It heals much quicker because they don't need to dig a pocket. Less burises and less pain. It takes a week to heal. After 3 days no more pain. May be it was done under a General anaesthetic. It heals faster and better.
Those are my experience. Different people might experience different reaction. Hope you're getting better soon.
Your story is so much like mine, exept I'm not taking any medication. My heartbeat was in the 30's I had a pacemaker put in Sept. 24, 2009 and the pain I am having is so bad. I tell my cardiologist what my symptoms are and he looks at me like I have 3 heads. They don't know what the pain is and tell me to wait it out to see if it goes away, it could be the nerves trying to heal. I know what you are going through, I am crying with you. It is so frustrating to go to the cardiologist, the specialist and have them not know what is wrong. Whatever it is I don't think too many people experience it. Most people are back on their feet in a few weeks. Why do we have to be so lucky. If I find out any more information I will keep you informed. Hang in there, and I hope things will improve with time.
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You guys or not a long I had a pacemaker put in August 2015 and still having the same problem you having everybody say nerves pain
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry to read you are having such difficulty. I seems your doctor should (would) know all the types of problems that can occur. Is the doctor broadly experienced in pacemaker - an expert?
I think you should not have any such problems, but can not say anything from personal experience. I do know two people who wear pacemakers and neither have any pain or burning.
I hope some pacemaker users will respond to your post and give some helpful information.
I think you should not have any such problems, but can not say anything from personal experience. I do know two people who wear pacemakers and neither have any pain or burning.
I hope some pacemaker users will respond to your post and give some helpful information.
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