Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Throat "fluttering"

Hi - I'm new to this so pls. bear with me. I had dual chamber PM placed 10/18 for neurocardiogenic syndrome...frequent fainting. PM set on "demand". Recovery seems pretty good with exception of this "fluttering" type feeling in my throat. Also, almost no pain except in area between my armpit and my chest when I move my arm a certain way. Being 5 weeks post op wondering if anyone else has had these symptoms or somthing I should f/u on with Dr.? Thanks!!

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lifting arm.

I got my defibrillator put in Nov 7th. My six weeks will be up Dec 19. But i have already caught myself stretching my arm or just cocking my elbow. I'm scared i could of pulled a lead. I just want to know if anyone else did this often and they were o
Still ok? I really can't afford to add additional weeks to myself. I mostly do this when sleeping and the sling isnt required anymore and is extremely uncomfotable sleeping with.

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Miss J

my husband had a pace maker implanted on 11/5 and since he was put on a blood thinner. He gets very tired. He also has a loss of appetite. Is this normal. He also had a mini stroke. Is the tireness a common problem? How long will it last?

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Implant 11/29

I am going in for my first pacemaker implant next week. Really jazzed.

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pain

Had pacemaker put in the Nov 9th.

Still have a lot of pain in my left shoulder. It like a never ending tooth ache. Had it check a week after surgery. No answer as why I have this pain.

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staciezella

Why does it take so long to heal. If it has been ohh..I say 5 1/2 months since I had my pacer implanted. My question, is the internal wound around the pacer where the pacer is deep seated at...is this skin covered over into place so that nothing can dislocate this tiny silver dollar piece size batter deep within the lodge cavity of my left chest. I still feel sore. Only to the touch though.

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How long until my scar will be normal

I am 21 and had my first pacemaker put in Sept 27th about 6.5 weeks ago. It is still pretty pink and the scar is a bit wider than I had imagined. I know it will eventually turn lighter but how long does that usually take? Is it recommended to use something like neosporin or mederma maybe even A&D ointment. Or is it just not a great idea?

Being so young and a woman the scar does bother me. At times I feel like throwing out shirts that might show the scar and I often just wear my husb...

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8 days Post op and super tired still

I'm 37 years old and had a single lead pacemaker set at 30 bpm put under my pectoral muscle with the aid of a plastic surgeon 8 days ago (I was under general anesthia as the surgery was more invasive and longer?). I have 2nd degree AV block that goes in and out of Type 1 and Type 2? I'm not textbook so says the cardiologists and EP's at the hospital. I had bad dizzy spells and blacked out driving which caused me to seek medical attention. It all happened so fast. One week I was racing an Ol...

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Getting PM tomorrow

Kinda scared. My resting rate is 30 heart stops 2 sec a few times while I am sleeping.

Just don't know what to expect. I know it could be worse, like having my chest cracked open, so I guess I am lucky.

I have 7 stents, some inside others.

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Also getting a PM tomorrow!

Tomorrow I will officially join your group of fine people! I have no regrets as I am anxiously awaiting to get back to my exercise routine - and life in general which for me, is active....

Oh, I have my anxiety and second thoughts like anyone else, but I was born with a condition / surgery that led me down this road.. Now, there is only one road back to normal for me, and I travel it tomorrow.

I have heard (mainly here) it is an easy surgery, but wish me luck anyway! I will...

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Normal to Feel Electrical Current

Good Afternoon! I am a little over 3 weeks post-op and doing better each day. It took a good 2 weeks to get over the hump and get back to a sense of normality. Ever since my pacemaker has been placed I would get sensations of the electrical current with each heart beat (almost feelings of a tens unit) in my breast tissue. This would come and go and be positional. Now I only get this sensation when I attempt to lay on my left side. My pacemaker was placed in my left axillary/breast area. I follow...

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It is 3 days since I have this metal in my Chest

Hi,
Since I use this site before the implantation I feel some obligation to share info with you.
- I am 58 years old and as a result of SSS I had to go through this process.
- I head it in HKG (St. Paul Hospital) all went very smooth.
- The operation took about an hour, I was awake and talk with the DR.
- PM was set to give a pulse if beat reate go below 45/Min (I was doing lot of sport so my pace is slow). While monitoring the display of my ECG (they have me connected t...

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Wow what a difference

Hi all I am 4 weeks today post op. Feeling great, NHS gave me excellent advice on does and donts ,I still cannot believe the difference the PM has made to my life. I am still not driving, but advice was hold off for 6weeks until your check up.

I had sinus bradycardia with a resting rate of 22 beats and stopping heart 2/3times per night, waking up regularly with the problem. Since op have slept for the first time in years, wow am I pleased. I am 69 years old, and looking forward to man...

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Im 21

Hi, Im 21 and am receiving a pacemaker on november 9th. I wouldnt say im scared or overwhelmed with me being so young. im more just curious about the recovery and risks people have had in their own experiences.

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lack of energy

it is now about three weeks since i had my Medtronic defibrillator implanted and I am still very tired almost all the time. How long can I expect till I get some energy back? I can barley walk a block with out having to sit down.

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Great outcome of 3rd ablation

Hi again. I had my 3rd ablation on Tuesday & only had to stay in hospital for one night as my EP was really pleased with my progress.

Outcome of the ablation is that I did end up in complete heart block (AV node got wiped out as my EP had warned might happen) but I'm actually really pleased because my arrythmia was successfully ablated & best of all, I still have an underlying escape rhythm of 65bpm....which is the best news ever.

My biggest fear was ending up in complete h...

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Newbie and a little nervous, gotta admit ...

I am scheduled for a pm implant on 10/30/12 for sinus bradycardia, caused by an ablation for tachycardia. I am beginning to feel a bit nervous about it all. I know I will feel better (I know I can feel worse, but quality of life sure can't), but it's the unknown of recovery that I'm getting nervous about. Suggestions? thoughts? opinions? Btw - I'm 45, also have 2 stents in the LAD put in this year. Have a wonderful 13 year old son and husband who both dote on me. Will gladly take all suggest...

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Joining the ranks next week....

Hi,

I am trying to wrap my brain around the need for a PM. I have swallow syncope; which means I begin to black out (tunnel vision, roaring in the ears, sparkly lights) when I swallow certain foods. I have had this my whole life and truly thought everyone did. It wasn't until I actually lost consciousness, clearing a table with my arm at a restaurant, with no warning, not once but twice in a month, that I went to my doctor. She ordered a swallow study and a ziopatch for 11 days....

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Having 3rd ablation tomorrow......

Hi all. Tomorrow I'm going into hospital for my 3rd ablation.

My first 2 ablations were near my sinus node & I got my PM 3 months after the 2nd ablation as it caused sick sinus syndrome with chronotropic incompetence, due to sinus node damage,

This 3rd ablation is in a totally different place....this time just above my AV node. My EP has warned me there is a risk of overlap with my AV node & I could end up with complete heart block, with or without a sustained underlying r...

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It's good to read others stories

I am 81yo living in Australia. I had a two wire pm fitted two weeks ago. Reading others experiences is very reassuring as its a little more uncomfortable than I expected. Getting to my right shoulder is impossible at the moment and its a pretty big lump where the implant is. I wonder how long it takes to feel "normal?

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You know you're wired when...

Your electric tooth brush interferes with your device.

Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.