Pacemaker replacement tomorrow

Hello everyone,

I am going to have my 21 year old pacemaker replaced tomorrow. I am now 32 and have a 10 month old baby. I am hoping the recovery is fast because I want to enjoy my baby this summer. It'll be a challenge since I won't be able to pick her up for a while and I won't be able to go in the ocean or any pools for 3 weeks. But I'm going to make the most of it and be thankful for this amazing technology. I'm sure I will be posting my recovery after tomorrow, but until then wish me luck!
Thanks for such a great club and support!

8 Comments

Much easier

by SaraTB - 2010-07-26 01:07:58

I had my second PM implanted last year, and it was a breeze compared with the first (which wasn't bad!). Unless they're inserting new leads, I wouldn't think there would be much restriction on arm lifting etc, other than watching out for the stitches, because the leads are already well settled in place.

Incidentally, I was booked on a short vacation at the beach, a week after my initial PM implant (it was an unplanned implant after too much ablation) and my EP was fine about me going in the sea, as long as I didn't actually raise my arm and swim, so I got to paddle and enjoy it: in fact I think the salt water helped the incision to heal. Worth asking your Doc. about anyway.

Good luck with the procedure, and have a great time with your baby.

good luck we will be thinking of you

by COBradyBunch - 2010-07-26 02:07:08

10 months old... so much fun. Miss those days now that mine are 15 and 11. Sometimes I wish for those days back, especially when I am trying to teach the 15 year old to drive.

Wondering

by wenditt - 2010-07-26 09:07:34

Best of luck on your surgery. Will be thinking of you and sending you nothing but the best wishes. Wondering how having a PM was during pregnancy? I'm thinking about having another baby but this would be my first with the PM! The idea scares me. Interested in your thoughts.
Thanks
Wenditt

Enjoy Your Summer ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-07-26 10:07:31

Love 'posts' like yours. You are so going to have so much fun with that precious little one. They do grow up so fast.

Let us know your great progress with your replacement, and also share with us all the water fun.

Good luck and Bear Hugs to All,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Have A Great Week ~

easier than the first

by Tracey_E - 2010-07-26 12:07:13

Regular replacements are pretty easy. If they're using the same leads, we don't really have any restrictions other than use a little common sense and, as you know, keeping the incision out of the pool. I had mine replaced when my kids were 1 and 2. My mom helped with the lifting for the first weekend because I was sore, I was ok on my own after that.

Just did the math... you were 11, did they put it on the chest with regular leads or in your abdomen with epicardial leads? If it's the latter and they're moving it, you'll have to be careful longer.

21 years is fantastic!!!!!! I hope this one lasts as long for you.

Best wishes

by andyuk - 2010-07-27 08:07:40

Hope all goes well for you today and I wish you a speedy recovery for you to enjoy time with your baby this summer.
Andrew

Thank you!

by soliver - 2010-07-27 08:07:59

Thank you for the good wishes and prayers! They made a difference because it was such a smooth and easy procedure. The only issue was getting the old pacemaker out which was encased in tissue after 21 years. I was awake as they explained every step. All I felt was a liitle pressure and tugging here and there. The leads looked ok and worked properly. The whole procedue took about an hour and a half and after recovering for an hour, I was on my way home.
I have plenty of help this week with my 10 month old, so I will take it day by day.
As for some earlier questions- the pacer was put in the chest on the right side since I'm a lefty. I don't think it set a record, however I think its close. I've heard of one lasting for 24 years- so close! I was born with complete congenital heart block but didn't get a pacer till I was ten. It was used as more of a precaution and I didn't use it that much. But as I got older I started using it more and more. I was also blessed with a very good pacemaker with a big battery that they don't make anymore- such a shame. The newer ones have more bells and whistles that use up the battery juice and the older ones were simpler.
As for being pregnant and giving birth with a pacer, it was fine for me. I went to a high risk obgyn and was observed by my cardiologist a little more often, but everything else was completely normal. If your doctor thinks its ok with your condition, then the pacemaker should not be an issue. Good luck to all with your pacemakers! Thank you again for your support!
Now, for focusing on recovery :)
Sarah

good luck and god bless

by saintseanlee - 2010-07-28 06:07:11

im on my 2nd PM now the cool thing is when i had it replaced i was awake the whole time talking with the dr. and joking around not only that they gave me my old PM to take home its cool cause i can show people what it look like. you should ask if you can have yours

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