Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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post recovery shortness of breath

I am 5 days post surgery. I have a biventrical CRT-D pacemaker. I am still experiencing shorntess of breath at about the rate of 25% as before surgery. Not to the degree before surgery but still with little physical exertion. Called my docs office and the nurse read by bluetooth report and said my heart and pacemaker were functioning "normally." They are not. I have intermittent pain on the right side of my heart and the aforementioned shortness of breath.

Could the PM be...

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Lasting pain

Hi all,

I posted this message earlier today and got notification that someone responded. Unfortunately, when I wanted to check the comment I was locked out of my account and my message was gone. So trying again.

First I would like to tell you how a joy it is to read all the support en knowledge that is shared among you guys. It’s heart warming.

Here’s hoping you can settle some of my anxiety as well.

My story is a long an complex one. I’m 29 year old...

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Pacemaker replacement

Hi does anyone have an epicardal  pacemaker? If so what is the surgery, hospital stay and recovery time, mine is due to be replaced for the first time?

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Heart rate during exercise

Hello again

I've been dual chamber paced since January after aortic valve replacement surgery resulted in total heart block. I’ve noticed recently that my heart rate during exercise can be as low as my resting heart rate. An example from today, whilst doing a 3.5 mile walk I encountered a steep hill which was hard work to walk up. I checked my heart rate at the top of the hill and it was around 60bpm which is my normal resting heart rate. I was quite surprised by this as I fel...

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So new to this

Had pacemaker implanted almost 3 weeks ago.  Dr. also put me on propafenon - 1 every 12 hours.  Was so wiped out, couldn't sleep at night then slept during day.  Head congested, constipated.  So Dr. changed it to 1 a day. We will see if that makes a difference.  My question is, if I have a Pacemaker why do I need a med as well. My blood pressure has always been on the lower end.  

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New pacemaker

Hey I just had my pacemaker replaced and I'm only on day 2 but still having a lot of soreness what is a good way to deal with the soreness outside of the medicine I was prescribed 

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New pacemaker

I am a new member. I had my pacemaker fitted four weeks ago.

I am experiencing chronic fatigue. I sleep nine hours at night and at least

l hour in the day. I feel so tired all the time. Not what I was expecting.

Can anyone advise. Thanks. Y 

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New member

My husband had an ICD implanted last Tuesday .  His discharge instructions stated "return to normal activities" - Wednesday!  He is still fatigued and sore and just generally aches. No fever, no palpitations, chest pain, etc, and the incision looks great.  Just curious as to when most people return to work.  He has a desk job but I'm concerned about him working with this level of fatigue. To me, it's to be expected.  So I'm baffled by t...

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Device change when dependent

Hi all

I was wondering how a device is changed if the patient is 100% pacemaker dependent. Very quick swap over or do they put a temporary device in place?

John

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Yet another update! Getting closer to AVR #2!

I saw the cardiothoracic surgeon today. She wants to delay doing anything with my aortic valve due to all the positive changes that the new device is having on my heart function.

I've been complaining about shortness of breath while exercising and now I know why. My device is set to a max upper limit of 130bpm. I hit that easily :). I asked them when they implanted it if they could use the same settings as the last device and they said that they would! I worked hard to get those set...

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Recovery in Children

Hi Everyone! I am 19 years old, getting a pacemaker placed in May for junctional braccycardia with pauses. I was wondering what the recovery was like. If anyone has anything to share please do! Thank you!

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Post pm loss of consciousness

Hi, i am 71y/m.  i had an episode of loss of consciousness 4 days after surgery. Is it normal?? Dis anyone else face this. No cardiac event was discovered on pacemaker. Doctor told probably its vascular or neurological event.

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Lifting non-affected arm

Hi, 

I just got my first pacemaker a bit more than two weeks ago, and I have questions about moving my arm while recovering. I was wondering whether my non-affected arm had any restrictions (e.g., not lifting more than 10 lbs, raising my arm above my shoulder).

Thanks! 

 

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Palpitations

Hi

I am 6 days post op and I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but this morning I am having a fair bit of palpitations, is this normal? No pain, just usual surgery discomfort. 

I don't want to phone and ask stupid question.

I'm guessing it's just settling down and doing it's job. Also I have neck tenderness, wouldn't call it pain, and the same discomfort along my collar bone. 

I had a medronic 2 lead, they couldn't find the usual...

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Pacemaker

Thanks for the information regarding the dizzy spells and the links..

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Symptoms after Pacemaker

It is coming up on a month since my Pacemaker.   I have been doing pretty well for the most part but have noticed in the past week I tend to have a little faint spell...not super dizzy...just kind of like my head is spinning and I have to hold onto something for 30 sec. or so, shut my eyes and then the feeling goes away..  I have been driving to and from work and so far this has not happened while I am driving but it is worrysome.   

I see a lot of folks have di...

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When will I be able to scratch my right shoulder/back again 🙃

Hey everyone! I just had surgery 1/4/23 but it's KILLING me not being able to do something as simple as itch my right shoulder/right side of my upper back because whenever I try to reach over to the right I feel my pacemaker :( 

my doc didn't put it under the muscle either- which I wish he would have.... but it's a little to late for that.

 

obvi I understand everyone is different with healing, but I'm just wondering how long it took you to get your...

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Fist PM yesterday, can't sleep, sssooo tired.

Hi. 

I had my first pacemaker fitted yesterday, the surgery itself was OK ish, I have allergies to anti bionics and painkillers, I was given an antidote before being given two iv antibiotics pre surgery. 

The local anaesthetic initially didn't work and I felt the cut until the nurse shouted to stop. They gave me a sedative which didn't seem to work at all but due to my allergies I could not have painkillers. 

The vein they wanted to use for the tw...

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For those that are following my updates...

So, as I said in a previous post, they have completed the install of my new Medtronic CTR-D last Wednesday. They ended up taking both leads out because they were "entangled." I felt great for a couple of days and started having chest pains which I thought was due to the breathing tube, camera, and whatever else they shove down your throat! Anyway, Sunday I started to feel a bit weak. Sunday night I couldn't get a full breath. I'm still thinking the damage from the tubes.. Mo...

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Still unsteady

Hi, first post, apologies it may be a bit long but I'm not sure what will prove relevant.

I was admitted to hospital at the end of January after two consecutive days of nearly blacking out and then actually doing so in the street on the third. For the two weeks prior to that I'd been aware of things sometimes not seeming quite right, particularly when out - hard to describe, but the nearest was the lack of balance I felt when first wearing varifocals. Although it seemed clear fr...

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