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News of needing a PM- a sinking feeling.
Today was the sinking feeling when told I needed a PM.
Are are kidding me?? I thought they were just dizzy spells that I could brush off but after a car accident and no longer tolerating the sx's the news came- Sick Sinus Syndrome. Here is the kicker, I work in health care as a Cardiology Technologist.
I did stress testing, stress echo's with many a paced patient....and ta da...my turn. I have seen the bruising, fractured leads and the serious infections of a new implant and it looks painful.
Everyone appears to have a different recovery time-like a pain threshold.
My questions are;
What has been your biggest problem with the first implant- the first month?
How much of a pain is it to travel, including security checks?
Do you find yourself not telling folks about your PM?
I am ok with being paced, it's just the pain and the time away from work that concerns me the most.
Any comments would greatly be appreciated as I usually stand on the other side of the bed, now I stand with you.
9 Comments
not a big deal :o)
by Tracey_E - 2009-05-22 08:05:17
You've seen bad implants. Have you seen good ones? Some surgeons slap it in there, some take the time to make it look/feel good. There are a lot of the good ones out there, just be careful picking your surgeon. You're in a position to make an informed decision. New techs at my doctors office always do a double take with me, you cannot see my pm or scar, it's hidden behind the breast. I can't tell if you're a girl or guy, but if you're a girl that's an option for you.
Keep in mind you pretty much see the patients with problems. The odds of complications are less than 3%. The people who get them and feel great aren't coming back for more tests, they're out living their lives.
Infection is as much the hospital as the doctor. It's no higher risk than any other surgery.
Recovery time... Mine is submammary rather than under the clavicle. It's deep enough that I can barely feel the edges of it - i..e. really deeply implanted- so my recovery time was a bit longer than normal. I went to a party three days after I got it, and that includes an extra two days in the hospital due to an allergic reaction to the codeine they gave me. I didn't dance or do anything wild, but I was feeling good enough to sit around and socialize. I only took Tylenol after I was discharged, and that was mostly at night. It can take 4-6 weeks before you feel really yourself again, and you probably already know you have to watch that left arm for 6 weeks, but most people feel pretty good and find that the worst of the discomfort is gone within a few days, a week at most.
Bruising... I had some fingerprint shaped bruises when I got my first one. Didn't hurt, but looked interesting :o)
Fractured leads... I've got one right now, have had it for years now. I chose to keep it when I had my last battery change. It still works, it just drains the battery faster. I'll be getting it replaced next time, tho, because I'm only getting 3 yrs out of this battery. Annoying, but in the grand scheme of things not a big deal. Leads can theoretically last forever but they don't always. I got 15 yrs out of this set, not bad!
I don't usually tell people about it simply because I don't give it much thought and it doesn't come up in conversation. I don't hide it, but I don't advertise it either. It's just a part of me. I will, however, bring it up if it will help someone, like two weeks ago one of my favorite older guys at church got one, I gave his wife a call to let her know they can come to me with questions.
Security at the airport... not a big problem. We can't walk through the metal detectors so we have to ask for a pat down. I travel 8-10 times a year and have had a pm for 15 yrs, I've never been treated with anything but the utmost respect. It rarely takes long, either. I usually go first in line, my husband follows with the kids. By the time he gets them through and gathers our stuff, I'm usually done also.
ICD Implant
by Smart Redd - 2009-05-22 08:05:45
A bit larger than a PM, my biggest problem has been acceptance. I didn't feel anything that registered as 'pain' either during the procedure or after.
Sleeping was very uncomfortable for a couple of weeks, but mainly because I usually sleep on that side.
I ditched the sling - except for sleeping - and tied a lace from my belt loop to my wrist to keep from raising the arm and remind me not to try too much too quickly. That allowed me to use my arm pretty much at will and eliminated the threat of 'frozen shoulder'.
Don't mention the "alien presence" unless asked. Certainly don't offer the info as a conversation starter.
Someone else will have to address travel. I'm retired and pretty much stick to the local area.
Red
mine is new
by gargoyle725 - 2009-05-22 08:05:50
only had mine two weeks and monday will be 3 and I am going back to work . just listen to the DR's and ask questions on this site and you will be just fine.
Thanks guys for the quick response.
by cardio - 2009-05-22 09:05:00
Thanks to everyone for the quick response and the straight forward facts- it was just what I was looking for.
I came to this post because you have been there and experienced the implant....not the cardiologist.
Cheers,
Noel
sandra
by sandra - 2009-05-23 02:05:12
i had my p m fitted 5 weeks ago apart from a very large hematoma on the wound i am fine -but didnt know untill today i should not sleep on my left side i will have my follow up on wed
8 weeks post op here
by ShadowWeaver - 2009-05-23 03:05:06
The biggest problem really that I had was accepting the idea that I needed a pacemaker. The surgery was nearly painless (just an ice pack afterwards which I used for about 30 minutes or so). A little pain if I tried to lift something to heavy with my left arm for the first week or so and then nothing.
As far as telling people or not that I have a PM, just depends on if it comes up. I don't try to tell them, but I am certainly not embarrassed that I have one. It isn't like an STD and I feel no stigma attached with having it. It just is what it is.
Michael
5 Weeks Post-Op
by bgarza - 2009-05-28 02:05:45
I understand the coming to terms with needing a PM. I'd been told that I would eventually need one, but I wasn't ready for that eventful day. I work at a medical center and love the cardiology staff and techs. They listen and really try to help me with my issues. The PM was inserted under conscious sedation and the cardiologist and cathlab staff were wonderful. My PM was placed under my left clavicle and there is a very slight bump there. I did wear my sling for about 8 days faithfully and then for the next 10 days only when I went to bed. My family made sure I didn't do any major housework or tire myself out too much. I was out for a couple of weeks before I went back to work (desk job). I'm being evaluated for palpitations and anxiety (event monitor) but the actual procedure and recovery was very good. Good luck and God bless.
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Member Quotes
It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.
problems mostly in your head
by rosette - 2009-05-22 08:05:15
I have had an ICD for three months. I am 71 years and work full time at an extremely busy and stressful administrative job. My body was getting older, but my mind still thought I was 35. After the ICD was inserted, I spent the first week feeling sorry for myself that life was doing this to me. I told myself that I was old, my life was over so why get out of bed.
There was really no pain during the procedure or after. I didn't use a sling..just tried to remember to not raise my arm too high. The biggest problem I had was getting used to using my cell phone on my right ear, instead of left because the ICD was on the left side.
Some wise person on the page told me that depression was causing me to decide life was over. I listened, got out of bed, went back to work and am fine.
at the airports, I just said "I have a pacemaker" and they took me to the side...didn't even ask me for proof.