Pacemaker area swollen and tender

[moxi]

No, Mom seems upset the cardiologist seems so laid back about it. He told her he'd never seen anything like it. I should have it made it clear in my original post that Dad didn't just have the pacemaker put in. This thing has been in there for 2 - 3 years and the area has suddenly swollen and become very tender. DH and I wondering if there is a hairline crack in the pacemaker causing extra heat to seep out or perhaps there is some sort of internal allergic reaction to the pacemaker material?

OH, I hope he goes and gets a second opinion then. I am sure your Mom is watching for fever and any other signs of infection too, right?

[thorrocks1]

Hi, my DH works for a pacemaker company. .. he said there is no (or very little) chance that there is a crack in the pacemaker.

Does your dad often touch or rub the area? if he does, its something he should not do. people can develop sensitivity and a swollen pocket for arbitrary reasons.

DH said to remember that the device is a foreign object in the body and the body is going to try to fight it ...

if the area is warm, red (streaking away from the site) and swollen that is usually a sign of infection. Also if your dad has a fever that would point to an infection as well.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

No, Mom seems upset the cardiologist seems so laid back about it. He told her he'd never seen anything like it. I should have it made it clear in my original post that Dad didn't just have the pacemaker put in. This thing has been in there for 2 - 3 years and the area has suddenly swollen and become very tender. DH and I wondering if there is a hairline crack in the pacemaker causing extra heat to seep out or perhaps there is some sort of internal allergic reaction to the pacemaker material?

[sniven]

Infection is very common. Your dad's doctor can have blood workdone that will test for infection. There are several different tests (CBC, CRT, sed rate, etc - the Dr. will be familiar with this) that will show possible infection. I would have it done ASAP.

[deerekid]

We're waiting for results on the blood work. Mom did give me the mfr and model # of the pacemaker and I am beginning to search for potential recall information. Dad has a follow up visit w/ the cardiologist later this month. He has no fever and he does not touch or rub the area frequently. Mom did tell me the swollen area resembles a small egg.

I know this is beyond my control and all I can do is encourage them to be persistent and seek a second opinion.

Thanks to all of you for posting.

[Ann2012]

I have a very good friend who has developed the same exact red swollen area over the area where is pacemaker sits in his chest. He says it is uncomfortable, but not painful. He does not have a temperature. His Cardiologist says he's never seen anything like it before and is considering removing the pacemaker/difibrillator and all the leads. Does any one know what is causing this? Does anyone know who to relove it or how deerekid's father issues was resolved?

Thank you!

[Ann2012]

Deerekid,

I was wondering if you knew what make and model of pacemaker your dad had. My friends pacemaker was implanted on Date: 7-7-2009. It was manufactured by Boston Scientific and it was a COGNIS-HE IS-1/DF-1/IS-1,
Model Number: N119. It doesn't seem to be recalled and the company was not very helpful when he called them yesterday.
Thank you!

[deerekid]

Checked w/ Mom this morning and sent her the info you posted here. She did not have the information anymore; all of Dad's medical records have been destroyed. She did seem fairly certain that what you listed was NOT the same manufacturer or model. Her memory is pretty good and if it matched I think she would have known.

Please continue to encourage your friend to press the cardiologist to have the area lanced or further evaluated. I think Dad's infection expedited other issues at play. With his age at the time, though, he was too much of a risk to put on an operating table. Doctors weren't willing to say that, but even Dad knew it to be true.

Best of luck to you.