Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Cardiac loop recorder

Hi
I am a new member and looking for some information from people who have had a cardiac loop recorder inserted . I am 36 years old and scheduled to have one inserted tomorrow. I have for the past 4 years experienced intermittent episodes of passing out which generally happens through the night or early morning. I get some warning and manage to lay down but I still become unconscious. I have been out for quite a while most of the time that my body has gone into seizures. I am very dazed as...

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Limitations post-PM implantation

I had a question concerning lifting weights and arm during post PM surgery. I was told not to lift over 25lbs and not to lift my arm above shoulder height for 4 weeks.Does these restrictions on the weight and raising the arm apply just to the PM side? Most people told me this is the case.

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Second PM implantation

I am going in a few weeks to have my second PM implanted. My question is I had my first one implanted under my arm and now have nerve damage and it has been causing me pain for the last 7 years because my pacemaker is sitting on my ribs (ouch!) I am having the surgeon move it so it doesn't cause me any pain for the next 7 years. Has anyone else had a similar experience? How long was recovery after they have moved it?? Thanks in advance!!

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Finally Battery Powered

Hello all, I trust your doing well and making the most of life.

After my PM for symptomatic bradycardia down to 23, with pauses and Escape Capture Bigeminy was cancelled twice In October and then again in November, I have had an interesting time. Progressively worsening, I went from running ultras last feb, to getting out of breath climbing the stairs. Following a referral to an EP at the great St Thomas' , I have been diagnosed as sick sinus syndrome. 3 weeks ago I had an MRI which...

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silly question

Had an replacement a week ago and I would like advice on how long before I can get the glue wet. I've managed to have a shower every day Without wetting it. Is a week long enough, I know it sounds a stupid question but when I got my original pm my scar split open and I don't want the same to happen again. When I left the hospital they told me two days before getting it wet a local pharmacist however told me two weeks.

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what to do with old pacemaker

I just had my first pacemaker replaced. I have the old one and just looking for ideas of what to do with it. I've heard of prior turning it into a paperweight. I was thinking of creating some kind of jewelry with it to give my wife. Any ideas out had anyone done anything similar?

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My 83-year-old DH is progressing

February 3 marks one month since my dear husband's PM implantation. To all of you who have helped us by answering a lot of questions I am very grateful. It has been a very scary journey over the past 4 weeks with a lot of complications for him. I will not take the time to enumerate here but one or two of you have shared private messages of encouragement and that has been invaluable to us. Today has been his best day so far--the first day he has had on clothing other than his robe and PJ's....

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Pending Surgery!

Hi Everyone,

I am only 21 and I have been told I need a pacemaker. I am a little nervous because it has all happened so quickly. I have had lots of tests done including a halter monitor over christmas and was told my heart stops for around 12 seconds. I now have a date to have my pacemaker implanted and I don't know what to expect? Will it be along recovery and how will it effect my life? Am I the youngest person to have a pacemaker fitted?

Thank you in advance everyone!

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No info from hospital

Hello! So glad I found your group! I recieved a pacemaker 1 week ago, and was released from the hospital 5 days ago. I asked the assistant, then the Cardiologist, then the nurse for information about the pacemaker. All I got was it was a biotronik permanent pacemaker with two wires for my complete heart block. When I went for my wound check today, I asked the office staff again. They were short handed and said would get back to me but most people don't get a card. But from what I've read this...

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92 year old dad getting PM

My elderly dad will be having a PM implanted very soon.
I am an only child so I am the one he depends on for everything. My mom is deceased.
He does have a caretaker that comes 8 hours a day 5 days a week.
He still lives alone, however I live across the driveway from him.
I know nothing about pacemaker surgery or the recovery time.
I am planning to be out of the country for 12 days starting the middle of March.
This will be about 6 weeks after the pacemaker has been...

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Pacemaker under incision

I had my pacemaker replaced on January 9, 2014. The bandage finally came off yesterday. I have been having an allergic reaction (itchy rash) to the adhesive or the betadine they use. I am being tested to see what it is after this all goes away. My concern is not the allergic action but the placement of my pacemaker. It is right under the incision. Does anyone else have this issue? If so, will the pacemaker cause more problems being under the incision? Is it too early to tell if it will move away...

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Pacemaker Change Out

Hi All,

My son had his pacemaker when he was 8mths old.He is now 21 mths old and has a natural heart beat of 30-44Bpm when checked at his last interrogation with his pacemaker turn off.

Question,

With that low heart rate and his pacemaker off,at the age of 8yrs will his heart beat drop below that value seeing that he will be a a toddler?

If his heart beat is lower than 30-44bpm,how will they facilitate changeout of his PM with that low heart beat and k...

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Chest discomport

How long does it take for the ache to leave the chest wall?

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Brand new Pacemaker

Hi,

I'm a 31 year old Australian single mum of two, I had a pacemaker put in last Monday. I'm still in a fair bit of pain. Perhaps because I'm not able to rest to much because of the kids.

I just wanted to say hi, join the forum for support and wonder if there's any patient secret tips you have learnt along the way? Mine was an emergency insertion and I was sent home the next day so haven't even talked to my electrophysiologist yet!

Bit of background, I had the...

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numb area to left of pacemaker

I had a Pacemaker replacement done on Jan. 2, 2014. Previously I had a Medtronic KAPP DR for 7 &1/2 years with no problems. The reason I needed a pacemaker was that I suddenly went into "heart block" with a heart rate of 34 beats per. minute. An electrical issue where the top of my heart quit talking to the bottom of my heart.

It was replaced with a Medtronic ADAPTA ADDR01. The original leads were once again used. The new pacemaker incision is just below the old incision scar, an...

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Curious!

Hi I was wondering has anyone experienced a rushing or a fluttering feeling after receiving pacemaker? It's been a week so curious as to is this a normal feeling to have. Thanks

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Day 8 - Some swelling in arm

I'm still very anxious about my 85-year-old husband who had his PM implanted 8 days ago. For the past 4 days he has been moving about more, drinking fluids and eating his normal amount of food, good attitude. He still tires easily. His blood pressure is good, pulse rate is about 65. Tonight I helped him with his first full bath (he was afraid he would fall in the shower, so it's been sponge baths up until today). I noticed some slight swelling in his arm, just above the elbow. No pain, no...

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First Gym Workout" Ugh

Hi All,
well today is 3 weeks, and I just could not wait one day longer.

I went to the gym.. whooo whoooo.. sorta of :-) As most of you that O I have been speaking with for Moral Support! you know that I am a pop tarte.. I have not Slow.. I am either gogogogogogog or asleep.. However took the 2 kids for a walk, our doxie Romeo, and mastiff Julie, 1/2 mile , was a slow start but the more I walked the better I felt..
So Off to the gym, I got on the elliptical with no arms thi...

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Tiredness on Day 6

I'm the caregiver for my 85-year-old husband (I'm 78). Six days ago he had a PM inserted for sick sinus syndrome. The second day he had a low-grade fever for a few hours, the third a little discomfort in the area of the PM. His surgeon's NP told me what to watch for if pain increased, which thankfully it did not. His eating is still not optimal for me but he says he gets full. His blood pressure is good, and his heart rate is usually around 65 bpm. His attitude is good. He is moving about...

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Pacemkr shocking phrenic nerve?

Just joined the site a hour ago. Got home from successful Tricuspid Valve repair surgery yesterday. I've had an AICD since Feb/12. Last night my pacemaker felt like it was shocking my phrenic nerve which I hear can happen. They changed my settings at the hospital. At one point it hit me 10 shocks in a row. Then 1 or 2 intermittently throughout the night. Anybody else have this happen? Is that what it sounds like? What did you have done?
I'm calling my EP tomorrow to have the device...

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You know you're wired when...

The dog’s invisible fence prevents you from leaving the backyard.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.