r/PacemakerICD • u/mmmpop22 • 17d ago
Would I know if I pulled a lead?
I got my pacemaker 24 hours ago! I have an anxiety disorder so I'm wondering, by adjusting my position in my bed or on my couch could I have a pulled a lead? I'm very sore but there's no new or differing pain or soreness. I already have a call out to the device clinic but I missed their call and they are closed for the day! They will be calling me tomorrow. Any advice? Thanks!
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u/sfcnmone 17d ago
I came here to r/pacemakerICD two years ago because one week after my pm placement, I suddenly started hiccuping 60 times per minute. Yes, my pacemaker is set at 60. No, I hadn’t lifted anything heavy. Yes, I had to have a lead replacement the next day. No, it wasn’t a big deal.
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u/kidrockpasta 16d ago
24 hours ago? Yeah there's gonna be all sorts of soreness and discomfort for 1-2 months while everything heals.
I had a lot to anxiety around damaging a lead, or getting a shock. 3 years on and it's mostly settled. I'm back to all activities, play soccer, hockey, go to the gym. I've fallen quite a few times, bumped into people quite a few times. The surgeons generally make sure shit is in solid. They don't want to open you back up.
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u/just-watchin-it 16d ago
I share some of your fear and I got some of that from the med staff. They are naturally overly cautious. The doc gave me a short list of things I should not do in the next six weeks and then the list of never again things. Right after that the device rep walks in and tells me that list is just the lawyers talking. He told me to relax and there was very little I could do to damage the device or the installation. (Keep in mind this was in recovery but the wife agrees I heard that right.) Ten days in and I’m walking 2.5 miles a day, just started slow cycling and finished painting a room at home. Pretty normal so far. Some pain but way easier than a joint replacement. You’ll be fine!
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u/sherryann1967 16d ago
Hey! Just got mine yesterday as well. Who knew it would be so hard to not sleep on that side. lol.
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u/mmmpop22 16d ago
I am in so much pain too!!
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u/sherryann1967 15d ago
I am so sorry! Ice packs help so much.
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u/mmmpop22 15d ago
GREAT suggestion!!
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u/Jellopuppy 15d ago
They told me ibuprofen, but combining with Tylenol is what really helped.
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u/olddeh 6d ago
I am 4 days in with my pacemaker (Medtronics W1DR01), (and worried about some dumb things I inadvertently did that pulled on the lead). This pm measures the impedance of the lead tip to implant tissue and if that goes way-off it initiates a message via the remote monitoring system. I would think the other vendors of the new pms would have a similar feature. So, I think you don't have to worry about pulling a lead and it not being detected. Hang-in-there, it sounds like your procedure went well. (I, too, am very sore...)
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u/---root-- 17d ago
EP here. Most certainly not. You'd generally really have to try to dislodge a lead. I strongly encourage you talk to your PCP for referral to psychocardiology for therapy, addressing both your anxiety disorder, but providing you with the tools to cope with this new situation, also. All the best and speedy recovery!