NEED INFORMATION! Implantable Loop Recorder

[amiey2217]

Has anyone had one of these implanted before?? My cardiologist discussed putting one in. I am personally all for it if it can potentially help figure out what is going on. It has been a long, very frustrating road. He seemed a bit reluctant because of scarring. At this point, I dont even care if it will help with a diagnosis. Can anyone offer me information on the scarring and what to expect from the procedure itself when it is inserted? Do they just use local? Does it hurt? Is it like a surgery? Please...any information will help. Thanks!

[MrsCoates]

I just had this done on November 22,2016 when it was fine the doctor numb the area the needle felt like bee stings the area now has a burning pain when I bend over and there's a nonstop itching

[HRSouth]

Make sure your doctor only leaves it in a max of 3 years.  Just had mine removed.  3 years 10 months.  Doctor kept putting off removing.  Still don't have answers.  I was told that removal was very minor.  I ended up having to get extra anesthesia, still no explanation on that.  Cut is more than twice the size, and is going to leave quite a scar.  Not trying to scare anyone, I just think that all these problems were caused due to having loop recorder inserted too long.  If I had to do it all over again, I would not.  I also have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which could explain the fast and odd heart beats.  My family is convinced that the loop recorder added to my Fibro.  I'm not sure about that, but very glad it's finally out!

[Justmecommenting]

Wow! Some very varied posts and responses here. I too had a loop recorder implanted on Tuesday. (5 days ago) it was via NHS in UK. The procedure itself took no more than 15 mins. The Dr's & Nurses were amazing!! It was pretty painless barring the local anaesthetic needles. The dressing i removed after 48 hours, which had stuck to the glue used to seal the incision but with a little patience the dressing came off no trouble. It is bruised and a little sore but seems to be healing with no problems. The only pain as such, I'm experiencing is a little pain in my collar bone above where it is...(?)
Otherwise all is good. Lets hope it captures the info it needs!!!

[clareb1]

encouraging to hear this, thank you. I'm due for one tomorrow

[clareb1]

encouraging to hear this, thank you. I'm due for one tomorrow

[shawnie1961]

I had the Medtronic loop recorder inserted into my left breast in early June. It healed fairly quickly and didn't really hurt at all until just the last couple days. Now it stings when I move around or bend over, or it aches. But this was inserted because I have random episodes of pre-syncope every once in awhile--not often enough to catch them on a 30-day monitor. I never faint completely but I see stars and have to stop and lay down so I don't fall down.  I feel a thud in my chest and then it goes straight to my head, like a head rush, and I get tachycardia with it. I get nausea and an intense headache that can last for anywhere from 1/2 hour to several hours. Now I know I have a-fib and several other arrhythmias, as well as tachycardia and bradycardia. I haven't had one of the big episodes yet; only medium sized ones. Still waiting. I'm glad I have it, despite the pain.

[natty312]

I normally just go to these types of forums for advice but since it seems every one else has had basically the same (miserable) experience as I did I feel compelled to give whoever is thinking about getting this done the honest truth about the procedure. I had mine put in 6 days ago for arrhythmia, syncope, and an abnormally fast heart rate. I had the problem diagnosed about 5 years ago, right out of college, and have been dealing with it ever since. I have done the 24 halter monitor, a week long heart monitor, and a month long one about a year ago- all yielding no results because my symptoms are relatively infrequent but when they do come they come in spurts. The loop monitor was the next step because of the way my symptoms appear and as a patient who trusts in her doctors, I decided that it was the best fit for me. I was told the procedure would be short, simple, and relatively painless. I have a small frame (5'3 115lbs) so the nurse on the phone suggested I opt for light anesthesia (I'm also not a big fan of hospitals or needles). I've had anesthesia before and never had a problem with it, so I assumed this time would be like any other. When I got to the hospital I was reassured again that it would be easy and I could get back to my usual activity later that evening (it was at 8 am). Fast forward to after my procedure and 3 hours later I am finally waking up, after being told I wasn't put under enough and grabbed my chest the second the doctor made the incision. I had to be given even MORE anesthesia and strapped down following that (luckily I don't remember a thing). The nurses had to massage my face and pull open my eyelids to try and wake me up after. That was the first nightmare. Prior to the procedure, the anesthesiologist told me he would prescribe me some pain killers, however afterwards, the nurse said I would be fine taking two 500mg tylenol tablets for the pain. Boy were they wrong. I left the hospital, still very loopy and sore, but not in much pain so I thought it was going to be a cakewalk. I napped when I got home and when I woke up was in the most excruciating pain I have ever experienced in my life. It felt like knives were being stabbed into my chest and through to my back. It hurt to breathe and do any sort of movement- sit, lift my arms (my left especially, which is still hard to lift), bend my legs to go to the bathroom. Literally ANYTHING. I went to the ER because I was literally shaking and crying from the pain and thought something was terribly wrong. Why? Because I was told this would be essentially painless and if I did have pain, it wouldn't be bad at all. After 5 hours in the ER I was finally able to get my pain under control and given some pain meds as well as a high dosage of ibuprofen to help with the swelling. I had three days of sleepless nights following the procedure. The second the pain meds wore off I was again in excruciating pain and needed assistance to do anything. I ended up back in the doctors office on Friday morning (2 days after the procedure and subsequent ER visit) and was ultimately told because of my stature, my pain was more severe than most and it would get better eventually. It's now the following Tuesday and I am still in pain, stiff, and feel worse off than before I went into the whole thing. I know it takes time to recover and I understand that but given the information from my doctor I was NOT prepared and I feel like I was 100% misled, which is why I came on here searching for the answers I have yet to receive from the doctors who are supposed to be looking out for my best interests. I guess my point besides venting out of frustration is to let everyone know who is considering the procedure and who has questions about how it ACTUALLY will be versus what you are told. My ER doctor, who was actually a Resident, explained the whole thing to me perfectly- he said that it may be a simple "in-and-out" procedure for them, but for the person on the table they are cutting into your chest even if its routine for them, it is not for you. I hope by writing this I am not freaking anyone out too much and I hope that it helps someone to be better prepared than I was. Best of luck to everyone!!

[BeachN]

I have no clue what happened to you . WOW. Mine was a simple procedure. Local numbing and that is all. I felt nothing but the novocain going in at the site a little to the left of my sternum. Procedure was only a matter of minutes. I needed NO PAIN MEDS. Cut was maybe half an inch. Scar is very tiny and not noticeable. I have fibromyalgia as well as A Fib and arthritis all over my body. I have had many surgeries in my lifetime and this was nothing. I have no earthly idea why you were in so much pain all over. Makes no sense. Your doctor was truthful to  you and did not mislead you in any way. Having a small device implanted on your chest would have no effect to the rest of your body at all. Perhaps anxiety and stress played a part in creating pain all over.

[Sajjy314]

Hi, just had one last week. The surgical bit was very straight forward. Local anaesthetic. When that wore off I took 2 paracetamol, that was all that was needed. Minimal discomfort. Slight bruising the following day. Sleeping is quite uncomfortable the first few nights, you need to find what position is comfy for you. Have had to sleep with bra on every night else it is more uncomfortable. It is nothing to be scared of. Hope this helps.

[Sajjy314]

To add to that I went straight back to work after.

[clareb1]

thanks. I just need to hear this..im due for one tomorrow,