Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

Post Message!

My first PM

The ablation I had 6 weeks ago to treat my A-fib left me pumping in the high 30’s to low 40’s. My Dr. said that the next step was a PM. My first PM - dual chamber pacing (at age 61) was implanted on Tuesday – 3 days ago. The procedure was an “in by noon (for a 2 pm scheduled start time), and out of the hospital by 7 pm.” I was totally “out” for the surgery. I am now pumping in the 70’s.

Today I removed the pressure bandage – yeah! I was surprised to see that the incision be...

Read More...

6 days later..

Hello Everyone. I am home recovering after my pacemaker replacement on Friday, April 5th. (my 4th! Age 27)- All went well, they weren't sure if they would have to replace a lead until they got in to see it and they said all looked well with it (its a 20 year old lead!)- so I am doing pretty good. Today will be my first day with no pain medication.. I was upset on day 2 when I noticed they put the pacemaker in a new spot- about 2 inches below my current incision. Dr. said my old pacemaker was har...

Read More...

New Pacemaker Today

Procedure started at 8am this morning. Dual chamber Medtronics (can't remember model). Finished by 10am.

It's now 4:55pm, just chillin in hospital. They just started an antibiotic drip. I feel fine. Shoulder and incision site sore but not painful-I know wait until tomorrow. But I am delighted about it. I have been up and down a couple of times on my own to use bathroom and feel great getting up and moving. I also have an ice bag on the site and a sling to remind me keep my left...

Read More...

dislodged lead

hi just recentlyy (monday ) i went for the monthly check ( it was actually 3 weeks as i was due to fly overeseas it was discovered that one of the leads had moved ,surgery took place the next day to reposition, technician on wednesday indicated the lead had now fully dislodged will now have to go back in two weeks to have the lead replaced this has affected our holiday and we have had to cancel but we are luck that this didnet happen overseas

Read More...

Told today I need a pacemaker.

I have a loop recorder and it was read today for the first time. It showed that my heart is stopping.and I have to have the loop recorder removed and pacemaker fitted.
I'm still trying to get used to the idea. I am waiting for a date to have PM fitted. Can anyone tell me about recovery time. . I am planning to go on a trip to Spain in seven weeks and am looking for views or advice on having PM fitted in next few weeks or waiting until I return from my trip or cancelling the trip.
I hav...

Read More...

no pain meds

Surgery went well on Thursday. however after i started pain meds that evening it went down hill. Even with anit nausea meds I started feeling sick to my stomach. By Friday morning I started throwing up and could not keep any food down. Took last pain meds at 10:30 am on Friday and decided after that to just stop taking them. Otherwise I was not going to get to go home. Other than dealing with the pain after the meds wore off I felt fine. Got home late last night and just taking tylenol fo...

Read More...

It's time

Well today is the day. Getting ready to head to the hospital to have my pacemaker implanted. Wish me luck. A little nervous but ready to get it over with.

Read More...

New Pacemaker this week...

Hello all.
Went for my checkup today (I have had my current pacemaker for 9 years)- have been feeling funny this week (out of breath, heavy chest pain)- I was attributing it to stress at work, turns out my pacemaker went to back up mode starting last Monday so going back this Friday for my replacement. They will also go through my groin to see if I need a lead replacement.

Wondering how long this surgery will take? (I neglected to ask simple questions like this as I am still in...

Read More...

New PM Patient

Hello everyone, I am a new member posting for the first time.. I am 41 years old and had a catheter ablation procedure done in 2005 for A-Fib, and now I just recently had a Pacemaker put in on 3-1-2013.. for the Bradycardia.. I had been on sotalol since the surgery in 2005 and had no episodes this entire time, although I constantly felt tired and run down from the sotalol, probably because my heart rate was in the low to middle 50's... I recently was admitted into the hospital for severe vertigo...

Read More...

A bit of a roller coaster.

I'm new to all this, one of life's lucky survivors. I had open heart surgery (aortic valve bio) and a single bypass on February 13th 2013 here in Rome. I had AF problems and was given a DC shock to stabilize this. A few days later and I collapsed in the X-ray room. I was transferred to a different hospital a few days later to have a PM fitted on the 22nd Feb. I felt good and confident but totally wired! On the 10th March I didn't feel well AF was back and I was scared. I was readmitted to my ori...

Read More...

Brand New Pacemaker - I'm confused and scared

Had my pacemaker put in 4 days ago due to Bradycardia. For about the past 18 mos., my hr has been steadily decreasing until the cardiologist decided it was time for the pacemaker. The incision site is sore but that was to be expected. What I did not expect was the feeling of lightheadedness and general feeling of BLAH! I also have afib - have had that for about 8 years and know the pacemaker will not cure it, however, since implantation, I have awakened two mornings with a rapid (90-100 bpm)...

Read More...

Blister Over Incision

Hi: I am wondering if anyone has had or has heard about the folloowing problem. First of all I am a 82 year old male and I have had two ICD's implanted at the Cleveland Clinc with almost no problems. I had my third ICD implanted here in Florida, on 03/07/13 because I was assured the surgeon had implanted over 10,000. On my 2nd day a blister began forming over the incision site. I began bleeding at night while I slept. At my first site inspection a week after surgery they assured me that the blis...

Read More...

just arrived home

hi have just arrived home after emergency pacemaker implant last week, im getting better ( sore shoulder and still feeling light-headed) but now have a really sore thoat
and my breathing is hard when taking a big breath is this normal

Read More...

antibiotics

My pacemaker was replaced this past Wednesday. The site has been very sore up until this morning; and, thinking more clearly, I have just realized that I was not given any prescriptions for pain or antibiotics. I am not bothered about pain med, but am quite sure I was given antibiotics the after first implant and also find it strange because I must always have antibiotics prior to dental work. I can call the cardio nurse tomorrow, but it will prey on my mind until then. Does this seem strang...

Read More...

Nerve pain post pacemaker surgery

Hello :) I am 22 year old female, my name is Janet and I had a pacemaker implantation a week ago. It was okay the 2 days after I got out of the hospital, but on the 3rd day I started experiencing very very severe pains in my RIGHT shoulder. It was impossible to move. It became less severe 2 days after, and now it's back again. Plus, I feel severe pain in my neck (front) and around the throat area. I have trouble moving, walking and always painful each time I try to get up or lay down. All pain b...

Read More...

Getting a pacemaker

Hi everyone, this is my first post.

I'm a 30yr old mum of 2 small kids who has sick sinus syndrome and my cardiologist advised me today that it's time for a pacemaker. He gave me a run down and it doesn't sound that bad but I want to know what to expect with the surgery & recovery.

Read More...

Mr V G Hurford

Hi All.
A update on my husband Vic. He has had the titanium pacemaker replaced to a gold plated one, it was placed behind the Pectoril muscle. 1 week later and he is doing well, the Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris is improving daily.

Lana Hurford

Read More...

janet13

Hi i just joined, i had my pacemaker put in 5wks ago the 1st 2 wks after the op i felt great, but now not so good i am still getting out of breath not so bad as before, seeing lung dr nxt wk as they were not happy when i had some test done, but what is driveing me mad is i am tired all the time, 12mths ago i was working 9hrs a day and on my feet most of that, but just going to the shops now and i am done in, does any one alse feel like this??

Read More...

shower

it,s been 17 days that i had my pacemaker installed , can i take a shower and get it wet, safe or not?elle

Read More...

3rd defibrillator

Had my 3rd defibrillator installed Wed the 13th and it went well mostly. He had trouble finding the correct spot to place the 3rd lead. Most of the veins were too small and one was too big. But tweaked it a bit and it works. The numbers on ohms were 849 which is a little high. I now have 4 leads in the heart, 3 that work and one that is capped. I go this Friday to have the staples taken out.
I am doing pretty well as far as pain goes, the pocket was already there for the new de...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.