Pacemaker Infection

[Stu]

Does anyone on her have experience of developing an infection around a pacemaker implant?

[Fred in Skirts]

Does anyone on her have experience of developing an infection around a pacemaker implant?

Stu,
My ex mother in law developed an infection due to contaminated leads for her pacemaker. They had to remove not only the pacemaker but all of the leads and she was on and external device for about 3 months until the infection was completely gone. Then they had to install a new set of leads and new pacemaker. She was in the hospital after the surgery for about a week due to being very weak from all of the meds and surgeries involved.

Hope yours is not as bad. Good luck!!

[Stu]

Thanks, Fred.

Mine was implanted seven weeks ago and I was fine up to about 5 weeks and then the site started to swell up, turn an angry red and feel warm to the touch. Went to the hospital yesterday and was told it would probably have to come out. I was put on a course of strong antibiotics and told to return to the hospital on Friday and they would decide what to do. Mostly, the external devices they use here are for hospital premises only, but I guess your ex mother-in-law had something she could wear at home.

I m a bit worried to be honest as I don't know what to expect. The original implantation was brutal and excruciating and to think I will have to undergo that again soon after the pain of them removing the existing device fills me with dread.

[Fred in Skirts]

Thanks, Fred.
I m a bit worried to be honest as I don't know what to expect. The original implantation was brutal and excruciating and to think I will have to undergo that again soon after the pain of them removing the existing device fills me with dread.

I don't understand why the original implant was so brutal and excruciating. My MIL was put under a general anesthesia and was asleep for the entire procedure. When she woke up see was on some mild pain meds for a few days. Of course we don't have government run healthcare and our hospitals and doctors do not work for the government. The entire procedure should not cause undue pain and suffering. Find out if you can be asleep under a general anesthesia when they do the removal and replacement operations.
Good luck with the new Pacemaker!!

[Elisabetta]

Checking in on you Stu to see how things are going with you?

[denimini]

Checking in on you Stu to see how things are going with you?

Yes, a month has passed. He posted yesterday on another thread so I am hoping things are OK now.

[Stu]

I spent nearly five weeks in hospital on 24-hour heart monitoring; I was discharged three weeks ago today after a new pacemaker had been implanted on the opposite side. So far so good, but still a bit sore and fragile. The final diagnosis is "bifascicular block with complete heart block upon exertion". Going back to hospital for a check up next week.

Thanks for asking.

Stu

[Grok]

Good luck, Stu

[Barleymower]

Hi Stu, I don't wish to pry and don't answer if you dont want too.
I am aware of heart disease and effects but with modern medicine telling us for 50 or so years that saturated fats lead to build ups and eventual blockage in the arteries. These fats have almost been eliminated from our diets. That is it should not happen eg we don't fry with lard and spread it on bread anymore.

Personally I'm concerned that despite all the advice, heart disease rates and diseases like alzheimers are climbing.

I'm also concerned because it seems to creep up on people. My mum died of heart disease and only really knew because of high blood pressure and a sudden heart attack.

None of it makes much sense. Now there's talk that saturated fats, red meat and eggs were never to blame in fact it's sugar that's mainly causing all the illness and worse than sugar: sweetners.

Any insights into your condition would be welcome and potentially something that everyone on the cafe should take note of.

[Stu]

Hi BM

I had an angiogram at the hospital and I am pleased to say that my arteries are clear - I have no blockages of the arteries.

Your heart has two systems that can go wrong and that correlate to your house: the plumbing and the electrics. Blockages of arteries are the former. They require things like stents and by-pass surgery and are nothing to do with the power supply. My problems are with the electrics - the electrical signals for my heartbeats reach the top of my heart, but they aren't being transmitted to the atria (the top receiving chambers) or the ventricles (the lower, pumping chambers). The danger for me was not so much risk of a heart attack, but rather a cardiac arrest - the heart rhythm being disturbed, becoming irregular or just stopping. While I have no doubt lifestyle plays a part in this, it wasn't suggested to me as a major cause of my issue. I was told that I have a "stress heart" after years of high pressure, but also that everyone's electrical system in their heart will eventually begin to fail if they live long enough.

I hope that helps.

Stu

[Fred in Skirts]

Hi Stu, I am aware of heart disease and effects but with modern medicine telling us for 50 or so years that saturated fats lead to build ups and eventual blockage in the arteries. These fats have almost been eliminated from our diets. That is it should not happen eg we don't fry with lard and spread it on bread anymore.

I'm also concerned because it seems to creep up on people. My mum died of heart disease and only really knew because of high blood pressure and a sudden heart attack.

None of it makes much sense. Now there's talk that saturated fats, red meat and eggs were never to blame in fact it's sugar that's mainly causing all the illness and worse than sugar: sweeteners.
(EDITED FOR BREVITY)

Hi Barleymower, First off I do not believe a third of what the so called health people put out. They have been proven wrong so many times it is not funny. I do not worry about what I eat as I eat only a small amount of food at a meal. While I do not eat a lot of fats I still enjoy plenty of RED MEAT when I can afford it as well as plenty of PORK and brown gravy. I eat fried foods such as fried chicken, french fries (Chips for our British friends) fried okra etc etc. I use butter when cooking and on my toast not oleo margin as it is not real food but made from all sorts of different man made chemicals. I do use lard in pie crusts and in some other pastries. I drink a lot of whole milk and use plenty of real cream in my tea. I just had a Heart Cath done and the Doc said he wished his arteries were as clean and clear as mine.

My Doc said it all depends on family, and what your gene make up is as to what is or should be forbidden from your plate.

Happy eating,
Fred

[Barleymower]

Hi Stu, I am aware of heart disease and effects but with modern medicine telling us for 50 or so years that saturated fats lead to build ups and eventual blockage in the arteries. These fats have almost been eliminated from our diets. That is it should not happen eg we don't fry with lard and spread it on bread anymore.

I'm also concerned because it seems to creep up on people. My mum died of heart disease and only really knew because of high blood pressure and a sudden heart attack.

None of it makes much sense. Now there's talk that saturated fats, red meat and eggs were never to blame in fact it's sugar that's mainly causing all the illness and worse than sugar: sweeteners.
(EDITED FOR BREVITY)

Hi Barleymower, First off I do not believe a third of what the so called health people put out. They have been proven wrong so many times it is not funny. I do not worry about what I eat as I eat only a small amount of food at a meal. While I do not eat a lot of fats I still enjoy plenty of RED MEAT when I can afford it as well as plenty of PORK and brown gravy. I eat fried foods such as fried chicken, french fries (Chips for our British friends) fried okra etc etc. I use butter when cooking and on my toast not oleo margin as it is not real food but made from all sorts of different man made chemicals. I do use lard in pie crusts and in some other pastries. I drink a lot of whole milk and use plenty of real cream in my tea. I just had a Heart Cath done and the Doc said he wished his arteries were as clean and clear as mine.

My Doc said it all depends on family, and what your gene make up is as to what is or should be forbidden from your plate.

Happy eating,
Fred

Same here Fred. I eat what leaves me feeling good. I can generally tell when I've eaten the wrong thing; either my teeth start hurting or my stomach protests.
I eat mainly meat, dairy and veg, a little bread and the occasional sweet thing. I steer clear of processed if possible. My weakness being cheeseburgers. I think the best advice I got was "don't eat too much".

You never know though do you?

[Mouse]

Stu

I hope the next hospital visit is a short one with good news attached.

Mouse

[shadowfax]

Stu

I hope the next hospital visit is a short one with good news attached.

Mouse

Seconded.
Fingers crossed for you Stu.

[Stu]

Thanks, everyone. It's just to have the pacemaker checked so I'm not expecting any problems.