Does a mammogram hurt with a pacemaker?

Due to work colleagues being on holiday and work changes I deferred my hospital appointment until last week. It wasn't through any concerns, it just wasn't convenient. I have had a mammogram within the last 3 years which was clear so I didn't feel delaying this check for a few weeks would cause any issues.

As suggested, I told the technician that I'd had a pacemaker fitted last September and that while it had healed well, it was still tender when I pressed on the area and so it may be that the scanner machine may be uncomfortable. She said she would be guided by me and if it got too uncomfortable she would stop. We decided to start with the right breast as this would give me an indication of the pressure that would be felt and where the potential problems may be.

The process is not particularly painfully, more uncomfortable but as the plate presses down it pulls the skin from the shoulder downwards and the edge of the machine presses into the shoulder. The right hand side was done quite quickly and I explained where the discomfort had been relative to where the pacemaker is. We swapped sides and she was very careful as she fitted me into the machine, making sure I was in the correct place to get the best image. I managed to get comfortable and she said I was to tell her when it got too uncomfortable or if there was too much pain and that as soon as she took the image the machine would release the pressure.

I tried to keep as still as possible and let the pressure build but it did become too painful to continue and I asked her to stop, she took the image at that point and immediately released the pressure. The relief on the skin over the pacemaker was instantaneous and, I stood back while she checked the images.

She said she thought the image, while not as clear as the right side, was perfectly good for the check they needed to do, and so I got dressed.

It was uncomfortable at the time, but left no lasting pain or discomfort and has certainly not given me any concerns about having to go through it again.

All I have to do now is wait for the results and hope,as they were last time, they come back clear.

Mammogram with a Pacemaker... is it safe?

It was always going to happen and today it did. I received a letter from the hospital asking me to go for a mammogram as, being a lady of a certain age, I am entitled to free check-ups. I would be daft not to go, but immediately wondered if it was safe. 

I called the Cardio-respiratory department at the hospital to ask the question and the receptionist went off to find out. A few minutes later she returned and told me the process is completely safe to have but because of the way they have to manipulate me on to the scanner plate it may cause some discomfort.

Somehow, that didn't surprise me as it seems the placing of the unit, being quite high, means I am prone to discomfort anyway, but I may  be pleasantly surprised... maybe sitting high it may take the unit out of the way more and be ok.

I was advised to discuss the fact I have a pacemaker and any issues this may cause with the technician when I get there.

So, in a couple of weeks I will know how much discomfort the pacemaker will add to the process.

Little by little I learn more as the weeks go by.

6 months on from a Pacemaker implant.

Having my pacemaker implanted in September was probably a good time of year to have the procedure. Living in the UK where we have cold, wet, snowy winters, I have a tendency to go into semi-hibernation through winter and this has meant my activity levels are less than through the summer. Once the warmth of spring arrives I am more often to be found out in the garden doing little jobs, or in the greenhouse with my plants. I take longer walks with the dogs and go visiting more places.

So, as March came and went still under the grips of winter I have had a good 6 months of rest and recovery and I'm sure this has been a great benefit to the way everything has healed. 

In November we started beginner ballroom classes, once a week for an hour. Having my left arm lifted onto my partner's should was initially a little uncomfortable but I soon found that the pain had gone. Raising my arm to do turns under my partner's arm was a little more taxing but again, I soon got used to it and found that again, with a couple of weeks it no longer bothered me.

By early March we were learning a Rock 'n' Roll routine which put a little more work on my shoulder and week one seemed to raise a few jolts and aches but by week two these were much easier and now, there is no after effect from an hour dancing.

Today's warm sunshine has awakened ideas of golfing again. I haven't picked up a golf club since the implant. I know several people who have pacemakers and play golf, so I know it shouldn't be a problem but it's still something for me to try. I also feel I will be able to get out and about on my bike, finally. I need to get a carrier for the back of the car so I can go to some of the local parks and cycle in safety, but it will be a good way to exercise and get fit. My cholesterol levels are still a key indicator of my health and I am due another blood test in the next few weeks to see whether I have managed to keep it within the 'normal' level over the comfort-eating winter months.

And so, 6 months on, the scar has healed well and is not the first thing I notice in the mirror anymore. People have stopped asking me about it and I find I forget about it for the majority of the time. There are triggers that remind me, such as walking near a working microwave and using my mobile phone with my left hand, every now and again I realise I'm closer than I should be, but it's nice that it doesn't dominate my every thought as it used to.

It's strange to think that this time last year I knew nothing about any of this. I had yet to have my accident that started the whole process. I am glad that June 8th falls on a weekend this year. It means I can avoid driving on the anniversary of the accident and avoid any repetition of events that led to a very strange 6 months. 

This summer I have to remember not to sit with direct sun on my scar. Knowing British summers, this may not be such an issue. If we travel abroad I will need to use factor 50 sun screen on my scar at all times and keep out of direct sun as much as possible. Other than that, bring on summer...

I'm ready to meet it head on.

Setting the Pace

It's 5 months since the unit was implanted and apart from occasional odd pains and twinges, it's settled relatively well. The last week has been uncomfortable and required painkillers for a while, but I had an appointment booked for Friday for my routine check, so I could chat it through with them then. 

They had a good look at the site of the pacemaker, and were happy that there was no swelling, redness or any other signs for concern. The unit itself was checked to make sure the wires felt right and nothing seemed out of place. I expressed concern that the unit has moved about an inch to one side, in comparison to the scar. They confirmed that this is possible while it's all settling and as said before, my unit is sitting quite high and so it may cause discomfort, especially if knocked or if I lay on my left side. I have noticed recently that I seem to be sleeping more often on my left side and they agreed this could be the reason for my recent discomfort.

Then they attached the leads to my arms and legs and popped the 'mouse-like' unit on top of my pacemaker so they could check how it was working. I asked  if they could tell how often it worked, being an on-demand pacemaker and they could. It seems it's the bottom half of my heart that needs help most often, and the pacing wire in the bottom half is working 22% of the time, however, after a few more tests they agreed this was more than necessary and that they would fine tune the pacing rate so that my natural heart beat could be allowed to happen more often without help, but the unit will always work when needed. 

They also told me that on current levels of usage, the battery life is currently showing at 11-13 years, which is great. Means a long time before I need to go back in to surgery for it to be changed. Obviously, as my condition gets worse it will need to work more often, but now they have fine tuned it to work more effectively with my own heart beat it still looks good for a good number of years before I need a change. 

So, that's it for a year. No more hospital appointments for 12 months. 

The challenge for the year is to continue with my low saturated fat diet to control my cholesterol and to continue to ride my bike to keep my heart as healthy as possible.

This whole issue has been a real kick up the butt that I need to be more aware of what I eat and the exercise I do, so hopefully I have learned my lesson.

Keeping a Healthy Heart

The aim for 2013 is to make sure my heart stays as healthy as possible going forward.

Now my pacemaker is settled and my cholesterol is normal, it's time to increase my fitness and lose a little more weight. I work less than a mile from home and I can take a scenic route by the canal rather than on petrol fumed roads. Although I can walk it in half an hour it is perfect for cycling which is a great way for getting fit and once I have a bike I will be able to go for bike rides in the various country parks nearby.

So, making use of the after-Christmas sales, I've been and bought myself a hybrid bike. Not having ridden a bike for 30 years, I am working on the premise that once you can ride a bike you never forget... hope it's true.

Tomorrow I go and collect my new bike and see whether I can still ride it or whether I should've bought elbow & knee-pads as well as a helmet.

Moving On.

This week saw another step forward in my getting my health back on track, finally I have my cholesterol levels back to normal and I am no longer under threat from my doctor of being prescribed statins.

Read more here: http://acoffeeandachat.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/latest-cholesterol-check.html

It seems logical to look after my heart as much as possible in light of this year and I will continue to have regular checks on my cholesterol levels to ensure I don't let things slide.

My target for 2013 is to lose another stone and drop at least one more dress size. 

In the meantime, there is little to update this blog with regularly, so I will come back as and when there is any news and hope that anyone facing the prospect of having a pacemaker implant that comes across my blog will find it a useful resource. I know when I first found out about my AV block and the upcoming tests and implant I was desperate for information. I have tried to share some of my experiences on here to help others who find themselves in the same position that I found myself 3 months ago.

The only question I have now is, can I swing a golf club and will my game improve following the implant. Due to winter weather, I feel it will be some months before I have an answer to that question.

Answers to my questions.

12 weeks on and I have my answers.

I can do any form of exercise I was doing before my operation.

I can use iPads and tablets, and even use my mobile phone to my left ear, just not rest it on the pacemaker area. The main issue is not putting my mobile in a jacket or shirt pocket on the same side as my pacemaker.

I can do gardening as before, I can lift, carry, push & dig - yes, you guessed it, just as I did before my operation.

The pains I get in the skin over my pacemaker is just 'part of the healing process' 

and finally, can I use Bio-Oil on the scar...?

Well, actually, I forgot to ask but, on the basis of all other answers, that I can do everything as I could before my implant, I'm going to take it that I can.

My consultant is happy with everything, has replied to the DVLA request for information so that they can make a decision on whether I am ok to continue driving, which according to my consultant, isn't a problem and he hasn't scheduled any further appointments with him. I will continue with my regular check-ups and they will forward the results to him, and providing there are no concerns, the next time I'll see my consultant will be when it's time to change the pacemaker unit. May be by that time they'll be able to fit re-chargeable ones.

So, has he made it to my Christmas card list - probably. After all, thanks to him I don't have to worry about my health as the AV Block gets worse.

Life as normal again? Not quite, I'm now a lot more aware of my health and will try to look after it a little better, watch my food quality, do a bit of exercise, just be a little more aware of things. It's all been a bit if a scare and I'm grateful it's been sorted so simply.