Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Newbie questions

So I'm 35 years old and was told 10 years ago I needed a pacemaker. I ended up asymptomatic for the last 10 years but symptoms returned and here I am 1 week post op.
I'm wondering about a couple of things. When they say don't lift arm up, how far do they mean? Like a 90 degree angle to my body or over my head? Can I use my left arm to push or pull? Also can I sleep on my left side?
I'm also having quite a bit of discomfort still. The md says its incisional pain but it's more sharp sho...

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New pacemaker

My husband just had a pacemaker put in January 17,2016. Since then he has been complaint of being so cold. Why would this be?

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Pocket Revision

So after only 1 year of having my pacemaker and figuring out the Doctor who put it in screwed up, they are going to do a pocket revision and move my device under the muscle, I know many of you have had this doen can any give me a guess on how the recovery will be from this?

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Heartburn 3 weeks after surgery

Dear all,

3 weeks ago I had a surgery, implantation of ICD (dual chamber, left side). I felt pain in the first week and it eventually did go away. It has been more than 3 weeks from day of surgery and now I feel a heartburn (my chest is burning, when I take a deep breath the pain is even worse) as well as this feeling of burning in my throat.

List night I also almost vomit.

Is this something normal that happens to few people or do I have to check with any gast...

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Blood on the incision...

Hello, ive had 3 surgeries before and all were good from what i remember... but 3 weeks ago i had a pacemaker change and the recovery process is different from what i remember... not sure is it because of the surgeon? or the operation process... it seems to be more painful and slower to recover... i am only 23, female...

also ive noticed this time that there is a lot of dried up blood compared to previous. I dont remember having so much blood stuck to me last time I had a pacemaker c...

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1 month after, still pain

Hello
This Friday will be 1 month since surgery for myself. Lately my shoulder area where my pacemaker was inserted has been very tender, sore & I've had pain. The pain would best be described as being punched really hard in the arm & feeling a bruise set in. Is this normal recovery pain? I also had the flu during recovery & that really wore me down & caused lots of chest pain from vomiting. I'm just unsure if maybe I pulled something in that whole process.

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made it thru

well guys here we are 10 days after implanted defibrillator. doing GREAT, a little sore but THANK GOD. it is over and i got alot
of energy back. able to exercise, climb stairs. a whole NEW MAN here. thank you all for your help and comments during this difficult time for me. PEACE

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nerve pain in wrist

So I am 6 days post surgery implant of a new pacemaker and I am experiencing sharp shooting pain in my lower forearm and wrist when I extend my arm and try to use it. It doesn't happen all the time but frequently enough that I wonder what might be happening related to the surgery? anyone experience pain like this? how did you resolve it? how long? I called my doctor and she said that I should give it 24-48 hours to see if it gets better.
thanks

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confused

Hi all, ok so it's been 3 weeks since my pm implant, it's a biotronik and I finally received my monitor today, but I'm confused because I could have sworn my doctor said I would have a small device that I would take with me when I went out but no such device came, am I mistaken, does anyone have a device they take with them when they go out? If not than I guess this doesn't monitor you 24 hours a day. Again I'm very confused about all this, I did read the pamphlets, but still confused. Any help...

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Experience re recovery

Hi Everyone! First post - pacemaker done 1/6/16 Age 79 have not got energy back yet. Had one visit with cardiologist - saw some surgical site swelling and some above collar bone which they say is of no concern. I am 4 weeks post surgery and they say 8 weeks total before i can raise my left arm above my head.
Mainly would like to know how others have progressed with getting their energy back. Thanks a lot. .....Topaz

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First Question

Hello, I had my pacemaker/defibrillator implanted Friday. Friday through Sunday I thought I was completely cured and all was back to normal. Then Monday night I went out and the huffing and puffing returned. I was devastated and totally bummed out. A little history - 2013 for the year chemo then radiation for breast cancer then kidney removal for cancer and recovery. Had problems with shortness of breath and figured I was out of shape. It continued throughout 2014 and into 2015. By spring it was...

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Submammary placement

I am supposed to have a pacemaker replacement in 2 weeks and just found out I might have options for different placement. My current pacemaker is 7 years old and was placed directly under my skin under my collarbone on left side. It has always been very noticeable even under clothing. I started doing some research and came across the PaceMaker Club website and started reading up on women who have had their pacemaker placed submammary. I emailed my doctor to see if that might be an option for me...

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A Pacemaker - What??

New to the web site and PM! My story in a nutshell... Right before Christmas 2015, went to Dr. for sinus infection! Just wasn't feeling well, little dizzy, etc. Dr. did an EKG & my resting heart rate was 35. Diagnosed w/ Bradycardia. Went to cardiologist 3 days later; had big change in EKG again and poof! I had emergency PM surgery that afternoon! Then 6 hours later, I had Pericarditis - Very Painful-constant pain! Lasted 30 hours! Few days in hospital & mega doses of meds. Recovered now....

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Scary Symptoms?

Hoi all,

So glad I found this club. Had an ICD/Pacemaker installed on Friday (1/29/2016). I'm on the usual aspirin and b-blocker (5mg/day). I sometimes feel light-headed and a bit disoriented, feels a bit like the runup to what got me in this situation in the first place. Could that be due to the b-blocker? No idea what to expect during recovery and every little symptom reminds me of the event that started this journey in the first place.

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Dual chamber pm and taking 50mg oxycodone

Is it safe to take oxycodone after you have a dual chamber pm put in?

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Scared and anxious about raised elevated bumpin Ed

I had my pacemaker battery replaced one week ago today I am alarmed that at the incision site I continue to have a raised elevated lump also I was told they were putting an antibiotic pouch in since I had just recovered from a respiratory infection could they have left something inside of me so my doctor for a check up he said it was nothing coagulated blood sounds to me like it's BS please somebody give me an answer thank you

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Recovery time seems slow

Hi. I'd like to hear about how long it took before you got your strength back after your device implant. I am 75 years old. I'm a little over two months from the implant and I still don't feel as strong as I want to. I do all of my own housework and cooking. I try to walk when I can. But my energy level is such that I can only work or walk for a short time then I have to rest. If I keep gong too long I get so tired it takes me a few days to recover. Do I keep pushing as hard as I can, or what is...

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Chest pain

Got my pacemaker in Monday, 1/25. Yesterday no problems. Then today had pain in the center of my chest -hurts to take a breath. Went to ER bcuz was also very lightheaded. Drs decided everything was fine with pacemaker. Still in pain tonite. About 6inches from bottom of sternum. Anyone else have thus happen?

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new pacemaker

OK, so I now have a pacemaker, I'm 64, not very happy about it but had low pulse 33 at times and doctor said it's a must soooo here I am, I have allot of questions but mainly in very concerned about what happens if your pacemaker malfunctions for one reason or another, do you die if you don't go to emergency room right away?

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CRT-D IMPLANT

Had my crt-d implanted Wed., 1/20. Surgery went very well, surgeon commented signal output and other parameters were excellent.
I am disappointed that the recovery has been slow. I have been very weak and tired for, 4 days. Many people told me they woke in recovery, stronger than before and went home same day without an arm sling---not so for me. My arm is in a sling for 2 weeks and sore. My wife said my muscles had to be moved to get the 3rd lead in position, thus the bruising and soreness...

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You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

Member Quotes

Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!