Finally!

Well I am finally getting my pacemaker. I have a complete heart block that I've had since birth. I am 26 and my doctor says it's time to get one in. I have an appointment with my cardiologist next Wednesday about the date of the surgery. I am terrified of being awake during this process. I am also terrified of needles. I know it's silly but does anyone remember if the numbing needle was painful. Also, I was wondering if you could feel the wires being threaded into your vein to the heart? I'm excited about feeling better ( hopefully), since I've been in a mental tired fog lately, but I am just a little worried about the surgery.

Thanks!

-Newbie

7 Comments

Experience of surgery

by ElectricFrank - 2010-09-23 01:09:27

To answer your question, there is no feeling of the wires being inserted in you heart wall.

I had the whole procedure done without anything but a local Novocain type injection around the area where the pacemaker was going to be located. All I felt was some needle pricks when the local was being administered and pressure when the pocket was made. You can chose to have a sedative type anesthesia which will make even this fuzzy. (I say this from what others have said, not personal experience)

The only other thing that could change all this is if you chose to have the pacemaker implanted deeper in your body rather than just under the skin. In this case they might decide on using a full anesthesia.

Hope this helps. I'm sure others will share their experience. We are all individuals and react differently.

frank

didn't want to know

by willowrose - 2010-09-23 01:09:58

Hi, I got my pm four weeks ago & I am feeling better each day, I wanted to be sleeping through the procedure, so I don't remember anything, but the cardiologist told my family that I carried on quite a conversation. hope everything goes well for you, let us know. This is a great site, I enjoy reading others experiences, because I don't personal know anyone with a pm.

my experience

by APgirl - 2010-09-23 06:09:06

i had mine done 2 days ago, felt only needle pricks for local and the only other sensation was pushing or tugging.

i feel so much better now. i hope your op goes well.
best wishes
APgirl

Ask them to put it in your armpit fat

by roxanneawale - 2010-09-23 07:09:51

I was scared when I was told that I had to have a pacemaker because I'm only 24. They told me that it would make everything better tho. When it came time for the actual procedure, they covered my whole chest with betadine and put amoxicillin in my iv to help with not getting an infection. Then they strapped me down to the table and bundled me up with sheets. I think its so I wouldnt fall off the table. Its tiny! Then they put a sterile cover over you and make a little tent type thing over your face so that the sterile cover isn't directly against your face and uncover one side of the "tent" so that you can see out. Then they gave me fentynol and versed. I didn't feel a thing!!! They told me that I was going to be awake, because apparently when they use fentynol and versed it is conscious sedation. So you are still awake and can talk to the doctors and nurses. I honestly thought I was asleep tho. I didn't remember anything and then I remember "waking up" and the first thing I said was "Oh my gosh I can breathe!!" because that was very difficult before the surgery. The side that they put it in on will be sore for a few weeks but other than that I didnt feel anything! :) You should ask them to put it in our armpit fat. If they put it there, you cant see it at all! If you lift your arm really high, then you can kinda see it sticking out, but thats it. That way you can wear bathing suits, dressing and whatever else without having to worry about it showing :)

ask

by Tracey_E - 2010-09-23 11:09:26

You usually meet with the anesthesiologist before your surgery, tell him/her of your fears when you do. They can use versed, which you are awake but don't remember anything. That's what I had last time, had general the first three times. It's a lot easier on your body than a general but I still went to sleep and woke up later not remembering anything. I've been afraid to ask if I babbled when I was out of it LOL.

I was born with CHB also, got my first pm at 27. Everyone's different, but I felt better literally from the second I woke up. Mind fog was gone, no more dizziness, less tired, stamina I'd never had before. I'm 43 now and still feel terrific and live an active life. CHB tends to feel the biggest improvement the fastest because our hearts are otherwise healthy, the pm just completes the broken circuit and gets the ventricles beating when the atria do. Good luck!!! If you have any other questions, don't be shy :o)

It was kinda cool

by Edouard - 2010-09-23 11:09:39

I was awake through the whole procedure. I was definitely relaxed. I probably did feel somewhat of a sting when I was given the local, but frankly, after 4 months, I can't remember if it hurt much. Despite the fact that I had an argument with my surgeon 20 minutes before the procedure (a young kid who was not aware of my competitive swimming lifestyle), I was relaxed by the quiet air of confidence of the staff.
It was kinda cool actually. My arms were tucked under sheets to immobilize me but it was not uncomfortable. Although a sheet was placed over my face, the tube in my nose enabled me to breathe without problem. I could hear everything going on and even took part in the conversation until they asked me to shut up.
I did not feel the implantation of the leads although I was aware of the surgeon pressing down on my shoulder to fit the device itself.
I could then hear the staff adjust the settings and, probably, test the device. It was over in no time.
Between this and the dentist, the dentist is by far more uncomfortable.
Recovery went quite well. I was discharged within 24 hours and was trying to break out of the house the next day. I favoured my left arm for about a week and essentially got my wife to stop babying me (it SOUNDS enjoyable, but I like to do things for myself!) after a few days.
I hope things go well with you.
Give us another posting after your operation to let us know how it went.

Don't be afraid

by Lifeisgood - 2010-10-20 11:10:41

My PM was put in last May, 5/26. I was given a local and was awake the whole time - talking w/Dr and assistant about politics, the new universal health, etc. After what seemed like 15 minutes the Dr sd - "There, all done. You want to see?" They removed the tent from over my head and I wa able to see the leads on the monitor above our heads. The surgery was a breeze, you feel the slight prick of the needle and the rest of the surgery was smooth. Plese do not put off th surgery. The recovery, to me, was more problematic and even now after five months, I still deal with headaches, jaw pain, and stuff. However, Dr still working on my hypertension and that may be the cause of my small problems, but my heart is working fine. Don't be afraid.

You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

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