Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Pulse below pacer low limit

Hi---new member here.
Just had a pacer put in this week with a low limit of 60. Things were going fine until yesterday, when I checked the pulse ox my pulse bounced around 40s and 50s even going to 30s once. I do have AFib and when pulse ox was registered 60 the first days was likely out of it. I believe I'm probably in it now. Even so, the low numbers scare me (I dont mind when it goes 70s 80s).

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Unexpectedly extreme pain following implant

Hi. I'm new here... I just got my ICD implanted 4 days ago, and the post-surgical pain is extreme; much worse than I expected. I usually have a pretty high tolerance to pain, but this is really bad. My doctor says that's not normal, and the Tylenol I'm taking should be managing it just fine. (I got the impression they don't believe me about the pain, or they think I'm being a baby.) 

The pain is only bearable when I have ice on it, which I'm keeping on const...

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bump

Hi, I just received my pacemaker last week, is there supposed to be large bump where the incision is? The area does not hurt or look infected, just wondering if it is just normal, or maybe a hematoma? It's been there since day 1.

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This newbie got the shock of her life--(no pun intended)

Hi--after 2 years of telling me nothing was wrong with my heart my cardiologist ordered a 21 day event monitor. I had a 5 minute conversation with him about the results on June 29. He told me I needed a pacemaker and he walked out of the examing room. My implant was scheduled for July 11, then postponed and then finally happened on July 18, 2023. 

I had no clue what I was going to experience and  am hoping some of my fellow members can tell me if they have experienced any of t...

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New device and cardioversion

Thank you all for letting g me be a part of this club.   I have had my PM for 12 years and am getting a Medtronic PM replacement on 8/14.  However, I have been in afib for 3 months and will have a cardioversion prior to the PM implant.  A couple of questions..  What happens if I don't come out of afib with the cardioversion?  Also, what can I expect after the PM replacement  (it is only the device, no lead replacement)?  And, how long will this all...

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Weird but brief complication of leg pain after PM procedure

This week is my 2-year anniversary of receiving a St. Jude PM, am finally taking the plunge and posting after 2 years of lurking.

The procedure went fine 2 years ago, no complications with anaestheia or anything.  I was sent home the next day, and felt OK the rest of that day.  The next day I could hardly walk.  I could sit down and get up out of a chair all right, but when I tried to take a step forward, had extreme pain at the very tops of my legs, like the muscles...

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Greetings - new to the 'club'....

I am actually just jumping around and reading different subjects and your input on things.  I am a newbie, just 5 days post op since my device was implanted for afib.   The more I learn the more I realize I don't know anything about this heart of mine.....

I am curious though, I read someone advise against wearing the sling longer than a couple days?   I was going to wear it to remind myself NOT to use the arm.   Oh I am most likely the middle...

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Pain during recovery

Hi everyone I'm new to the club, I had a Medtronic Azure pacemaker implanted in June 28 of this year.(4 wks ago )For the first week or two I felt great and energetic, but recently I've felt tired with a sharp pain near my  left armpit area.It last for a few seconds and some times ( specially at night time feels like throbbing pain) I was wondering if anyone has felt the same during  their recovery.

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Rejoining the club

When I had my transplant, my ICD was removed. Then recently I started to have fainting episodes so the transplant team organised a 48 hour monitor by post, which I duly wore and posted back on Monday. First thing today they rang to say we have a bed for you - please come in to have a pacemaker implanted. You have heart block. No details - waiting for the consultant  - 7but I'm all prepped and waiting for a slot in the lab. 

 

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Post-op discomfort

Hello group

I am eight days post op from receiving my pacemaker, and finding that I am having a lot of discomfort in my elbow on the operative side. It hurts to fully extend my arm (definitely not raising my arm over my head, and wondering if that is the cause). I have returned to work pretty quickly after surgery. I work as a surgical technologist. I am working within my restrictions and my doctor approved. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this arm pain after surgery? If...

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New to pacing and feeling lightheaded

Hi all,

I have had my new pacemaker for 8 days after my bradycardia got too bad. At 63, they found a 30 bpm at night at the hospital after being admitted through ER for  cardiac pauses of 3 to 5 seconds. Anyway, they diagnosed that as 2nd degree AV heart block and so I received an Assurity dual chamber pm2722. My heart other than the sinus node issues is very healthy. I am only taking Synthroid and Esomeprazole. No blood thinners needed either. I like lifting weights and cycling.&n...

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New pacemaker

New pacemaker four days ago with leads to upper and lower heart chambers. Purpose to stabilize slow pulse. Currently experiencing dull pain upper chest. Particularly when take deep breath. Speculate could be from upper lead but not sure. No reply from pacemaker clinic in Victoria BC so far. Anyone with similar experience?

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Post op wound care

Hello friends,
 

My recovery continues well, I've had fewer of those unusual feeling beats (PVCs?), my blood pressure is coming down (based on sensations, I'm travelling without a BP monitor), I feel it pacing less often (whether this is from the AV block getting back to my "normal" or simply being used to the sensation more). In short, while still very hyper aware of my body, I am recovering mentally and physically.

My biggest concern now is infection....

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Increase in heart weirdness just after first PM, is this common?

Hi again,
 

I've posted here a few times now, and first of all, thank you everyone for your replies. I didn't expect to be a member of this club quite so soon but it's been highly valuable getting a glimpse of other people's experience and perspective from relies and older posts.

As posted elsewhere I've had an AV block know since my early 20s, possibly something I've always had. It's not affected me much, no fainting, I've been able...

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Avoiding raising the arm and pulling out leads during sleep

Hello again,

PM newbie here, but third post. I really appreciate that this community exists!

I've seen the advise here against relying on a sling too much and staying mobile post op which makes sense. I'm curious though about how people sleep?

I'd usually lie on my side with the left arm straight up and under the pillow which isn't recommended at all. To make sure that I don't end up doing this in my sleep I've started sleeping with my left arm tied i...

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Sensation of leads inside of heart, is this even possible?

Hello everyone,

I've just joined this club (online and by having a pacemaker fitted for the first time yesterday). The recovery is going as expected, pain/pressure at the site of the pacemaker, and I'm super careful about not lifting my left arm etc.

A few times though I've had the sensation of a small twitch in the centre of my chest that is in line with my heart beat - either just a one off as I change position or sometimes a few times in a row with my beats. I'm...

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Pacemaker Surgery, Scars, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Hi all,

I'm two weeks post pacemaker implantation and generally healing up well. I'm curious if any of y'all have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and how you managed your scar post surgery. 

If anyone need a brief: EDS is a hereditary connective tissue disorder. Some symptoms are skin hyperextensibility and loose joints, as well as cardiac symptoms... I have had multiple surgeries and my scars have a tendency to spit stitches and form keloids (excess collagen fo...

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Wound healing & everything else!!

Hi all, 

I just recieved my PM last week. Total newbie here. My background that got me to this point.  Had my 3rd (and final) baby in Feb 2022. Maintained my superhigh BP that was discovered during pregnancy & im still on meds for. Very low heart rate & after a 5 day holter monitior in Jan 2023 findings suggested a pacemaker. Turned 40 in March & got my PM end of June. Rollercoster. 
anyways my question is that im a week post surgery. Everything heal...

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New to the Family!


Age: 75

Sex: Male

Hi All,

2 days ago I joined this family of amazing people that were given 2nd life due to Pacemaker. I am still coping with the reality but in hindsight, now I feel this was due more than ever.

While, I am recovering well, I have so many things to learn about this whole thing and this forum seems the best place to be.

I had a high degree AV block and was implanted with dual chamber Boston Scientific Accolade Pacemaker. I am told that it wa...

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Recovery and experience

Hi guys I just wanted to share Ammy experience and also ask for advice. 
 

I've just today got out of St Barts Hospital having a new pacemaker. 
im 50 and on my 4th pacemaker. 
 

when I went in it was supposed to be a routine box change but the couldn't find a decent pocket for it without moving it to a new location which I didn't want. So this time they have put it under the muscle on my chest which is ALLOT more painful than a...

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You know you're wired when...

Titanium is your favorite metal.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.