Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

I recently had a Medtronic pacemaker implanted because of a low heart rate. The literature says it can last 12 years.
Is there anybody here who has had an implant for a number of years? I’m wondering if it is possible to survive 10, 20, or 30 years with one. Hopefully I’m not being too gloomy.

I have an ICD which is larger then most pacemakers. Yes, they are uncomfortable from time to time, sometimes they even wake me up when it moves a bit in the capsule. Mine is above the muscle, just under the skin. Annoying

@kevdb
I was going to post about body encapsulation of the devices over time. But I see you have had one for 7 years so that encapsulation is over. The encapsulation would cause it to protrude upward more but also helps irritation of body dealing with a foreign object in body.

Do you have a PACE Clinic and or see EP? Could be some shifting of device and maybe new irritation. Don't know not medical person just trying to relate my experience with 3 of these devices over 20 years.

@jc76 Thank you for your response, my weight has been fluctuating up and down for a while now. My device is situated on the left just under my collar bone, I'm not sure but, I think the device is perturbing more than when it was first fitted.

@kevdb
By any chance have you gained weight?

I did and recenlty noticed when I laid down my wires would protrude upward (I could feel them). I have my device under my chest muscle.

The protrusion only occured when laying on a hard surface not bed.

I have pain and discomfort around device when I use my left arm extensively. I find movement of the arm can aggravate the site.

I am on my 3rd device and have had one since 2006

I've had my pacemaker for around 7 yrs now, about 8 months ago I started having pain around the P/M site which usually gets worse when I lie down just before going to sleep and can be uncomfortable upon waking up.
Has anybody else had simular problems and might be able to suggest what the cause is?
Kev

Hello @unclefreddy, I wanted to check in to see how you are doing and if you have learned anything new or made progress in regards to a pacemaker or diagnosis?

@charlyboy61, you mentioned you were going to talk with your provider at your next visit about your issues with sleeping and some burning sensations in your chest. Have you been able to do so and learn anything new about what may be causing these issues?

Thank you for the information i thought i was alone it was just me , on my next doctors visit i will insist on some help not just a visit as im informed thanks again stay well🙏charly

Hello Charly
I am not sure I can answer your questons or address your concerns very well since they do not reflect my personal experiences. But I did want to acknowledge your post. I am hoping the symptoms you described have eased somewhat.
I do have a pacemaker (for just over 2 years) but I have not had any cardiac surgery. My first though in regards to your comment "my upper and lower chest burns slightly through my underarm to my back my left arm is loosing strength and has a bad tingling sensation" is to suggest you see your doctor for a thorough examination. Although it has been a fairly long time since the surgery - 6 years or so - I would not think of anything like an infection but perhaps something like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The symptoms described in the article sound a great deal like the ones you have supplied. I have included a link to an article which might shed some light on your issue:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5729003/
I think only a physician can diagnose such an issue and becuse it is noted as a "syndrome", I doubt you will ever get an expanlation of why you are experiencing this. But, speaking for myself, I would take some comfort in knowing that it is a "thing" and others have experienced it.
As for only being able to sleep face down, may I ask why? It is becasue of pain from the pacemaker? Or do you have an underlying issue like sleep apnea? I have obstructive sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP machine for over 20 years with excellent results. When I was first prescribed the machine, I was told it was best if I could learn to sleep on my side - at the very least. Sleeping on my back would result in more episodes of apnea. Do you experince something like that?
I, over time, learned to not sleep on my back and now sleep primarliy on my stomach. And, after the pacemaker implant, I added tucking the corner of my pillow under my left shoulder in the front which seems to give a additional support to that area, making sleep in, in general, more comfortable.
I hope my response can shed some light on your concerns. And I wish you all the best in finding additional answers and support in your journey.
Wishing you good health and Seasons Greetings.

I agree. It would be good to communicate with those who have “been there”. Extremely scary navigating heretofore uncharted waters alone and learning what to expect rather than worrying about a scary unknown would be helpful. Does this board qualify?