Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Well that escalated quickly

So, I've always been a low energy person, as a child my mother had said i had a small heart murmer,  in my teens and 20's I noticed if i did anything that required alot of energy, like running or cardio i would get very quick dizzy spells,,, in my 30's i went to doctor after doctor telling them i was always tired, they'd run tests for mono, thyroid etc and tell me they couldnt find anything. In my 40's I was told i had "long QT" during a regular ph...

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Device Update 3 - Doctor's Flip Flopping, lol

So my EP and cardiologist had a discussion about me. They have decided it would be in my best interest to get the upgrade to a Medtronic CRT-D "just in case" the regular pacing at the LBB area doesn't correct my HF/EF pacing induced cardiomyopathy leaving me in a dangerous place. He called it a safety net as they can't just go back in and change it. He said if things do improve with the upgrade (he still says he has no reason to doubt it will), then they will leave...

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Pacemaker replacement

Ok so I got my Pacemaker put in May of 2022. In know this is early to ask but I can't get it out of my mind. When they replace the one I have do they lay you down just like they did when it was implanted? Or do they sit you up in a ewclined chair of some type. The reason I ask this is when they put mine in they strapped my left arm to my side palm up and it really hurt my shoulder and around my shoulder blade. Very intense pain for about 3-4 weeks. I'm a big guy and my arm doesn't...

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Post op

Hi

Ive just jouned this group. I am having a 2 lead ( i think) PM fitted on 7th March, folliwed by an ablation a month or so after. 

I work as a carer in thw community, no heavy lifting, just assisting with personal care, light housework and companionship. 

My 3 questions are please, 

What to expect post op? 

How long would you recomnend i stay off work for based on your own pist op experience? 

I ride a scooter ( moped) , i know i...

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Extreme fatigue

Hello everyone! I am a 70 year old male implanted 3 days ago with a biventricular pacemaker/ defibrillator. my EF rate is 20% and I was diagnosed with a left bundle branch block 5 years ago. I also had a quadruple bypass 2 years ago. my cardiologist started me on Entresto 3 months ago along with a small dose of Correg. My bp is low (95/60) and I believe this is caused by the Entresto.  Has anyone had to stop Entresto because of this issue? If so what did you switch to? I literally c...

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New Pacemaker on 9th day

Question...today I am feeling a little light headed (when I got up) lasted around three hours.  Also, kind of a heaviness in my throat or chest area..hard to tell where the feeling is coming from.  Also, feel kind of dehydrated...very dry mouth and drinking does not seem to help it.  My arm is still sore and the EP nurse (yesterday) said I was healing fine but to continue an occasional ice pack for some swelling.  Also, she could not remove the steri strips from my incisio...

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WISH ME LUCK! (update from a previous post)

On March 1st, I’m having a ventricle lead revision and pacer replacement. The decision has been made that I would receive the same pacer – Medtronic Adapta. My lead will be removed due to an issue and replaced from the RV apical area to the LBB area due to HF, (EF 40%), ventricle desynchrony, wide QRS @ 202ms. The DRs are optimistic that my cardiomyopathy will be reversed. I’m most nervous about the lead revision. The NP told me that the EP has done hundreds, if not tho...

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BRUISING

It has been 3 months since my husband had his 3rd box change but the device seems to be rubbing against the skin and it leaving a permanent darkish bruise and feeling a bit uncomfortable at times.Anyone any input as to whether it is safe to use something like Arnica cream/gel when you are on anti coagulants or anything else to help with the bruising.thanks 

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Swelling with antibiotic envelope

Hello,

 

Had a new pacemaker installed two days ago. This is my third device, but my first to be implanted in an antibiotic envelope.  The site seems significantly more swollen than I remember either of the 2 previous implant sites being.  The nurse did mention the swelling would be greater this time because of the envelope, which will dissolve slowly over time. Has anyone else had experience with this?  Thanks for reading!  - Matt 

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Pacemaker

Indyglo here.

Had my pacemaker on 02-17-23.  Been using ice every now and then and taking an occassionally iibuprofen.  The incison site is not painful but achy.and a litte itchy (that might be the steri strips).  I noticed that it is feeling a little warm around the incision site.  It does not appear red but hard to tell because the steri strips are on the site.  Is this normal?  I don't have a fever.

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Pacemaker

I got mine yesterday (Medtronic).  I am sore and doing a little around the house but keeping my arm as stable as possible, no lifting or raising my hand over my head.  I know I am not supposed to lift anything over 10# but what about using the right arm?  If I lift something around 5 or 10# with my right arm is that going to stress my heart?  I don't what anything to come apart or start bleeding.  So far, so good.  Using an ice pack when I came home yesterday...

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New to having a Pacemaker!

Hi everyone! I'm Jaylynne, but everyone calls me Jay. I just turned 31 at the end of December 2022.
I've been having issues with my heart since 2nd grade and it wasn't until I finally found a cardiologist to get me one of the MyZio (external) devices to be able to figure out what's wrong with me! Anyway, my surgery was Jan 4th, 2023. So as of Feb 15th 2023 I am officially 6 weeks post op! Which as y'all know means I have the clearance to move/exercise......

Howe...

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Thoughts on Ablation and Down the Road Watchman

Hello,

Very new to the club.  Had a CRT-D implanted January 11, 2023.  Things are going OK for the most part.  I'm very active so walking, hiking, light biking stretching has all been possible.  I'm dealing with episodes of AFIB, that the CRT-D has documented.  Cardiologist who did the implant mentioned ablation as a mean of dealing with the AFIB at some point down the road.  We'll know more after a 3 month echo and checkup.  Wondering if a...

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How long before I feel more energetic

Hello I have had my pacemaker (single wire) fitted four days ago.  Im wondering two things:  how long before I feel more energetic? And also my cardiologist has given me beta blockers for my current low blood pressure but could my readings of approx 90/60 stop me regaining my energy?

(I had tachy and bradycardia....fluctuating heart rates hence the pacemaker)

many thanks

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Armpit Swetting/Rash

Hi Everyone,

 I am two weeks post surgery for my first device.  Like others have mentioned, I am trying to use my left arm a little to keep it from freezing up.  However, it does hurt.  My biggest problem is keeping my armpit "aired out".  Sweat keeps building up.  I am keeping it clean and trying to keep it propped up so it breathes, but I am getting what looks like a yeast rash under my arm.  It is really uncomfortable.  Did anyone els...

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Pacemaker decision appointment

 

Hello everyone,

I've posted a few posts here before. I am 30 years old and It's related to my 3rd degree heart block. It was discovered by chance a few months ago that I probably have congenital 3rd degree heart block and no major structural problems were seen in the MRI, echo and treadmill tests. Holter tests revealed 3-5 second pauses and 3rd degree block. I lead a completely asymptomatic life. I got opinions from a few drs. There were doctors who s...

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New member

Hi all.   New member here.   Last few years I've been having tests done as I've been taking propranolol for 20 years (put on it for anxiety) and my heart rate is very low.  Late 30's, 40's etc but it can go higher then.  Had few ultrasounds, mri etc.  Told me I've got cardiomyopathy, heart block etc.  So, I'm coming off of propranolol now (nearly off them completely now), then got to go back for another holder monitor then maybe...

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Post Pacemaker Implant

I had a pacemaker implanted last Thursday. I am no longer out of breath but am feeling woozy/spacey - kind of dizzy but not like I'm going to pass out. Is this the normal part of adjusting? Today it seems to be the worst. I have my first post op appointment Thursday. I had 2nd degree heartblock with a few 3rd degree which was going on for a loooooong time. Any incite would be appreciated! :) 

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Jaw pain

Pain in lower left jaw

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Pacemaker surgery tomorrow

Hello everyone.

My doctor recently decided that I need I pacemaker. I will get it tomorrow. I have an AV block type 2 mobitz 2. I don't show symptoms but doctors think that because it has progrerss from type 1 to type 2 m1 to m2 now it is better to put the pacemaker now before type 3 which is very dangerous.

I am 30 years old and I am scared, sometimes I doubt that I really need it. But it is for the best. I have mixed feelings about it. I just hope I get to the moment where I...

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You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

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It made a HUGE difference in my life. Once I got it, I was finally able to run, and ride my bike long distances.