Scared

I'm terrified of receiving my pacemaker next Thurs April 7. I'm a 35 year old father of two boys (10 and 7) and I don't know what to expect. Please tell me positive experiences. How you coped with recovery and I think I've entered into depression because all I can think of are things I WON'T be able to do....Thanks in advance for any advice...

24 Comments

restrictions

by sarge - 2011-03-30 01:03:18

I am fairly new to the Pacemaker life...had mine implanted Nov 2010. Dude your not going to miss out on anything other than the healing process it is a breeze. Very liitle pain if any at all. Think about it this way, if you dont get a pacemaker; how much will you miss out then?

Welcome to our club..

by qwerty - 2011-03-30 01:03:28

I don't have alot to add. Everyone here is right on target. Be sure and take a button up shirt to the hospital. No pull overs. You really cannot get your arm up to get them on.
I do feel better since I got my PM. It was scary, but after you get past the Brain thing, life is good.
Just take your time and heal completely. Don't raise that arm up until they tell you you can. It wasn't even a possibility for me for a couple of weeks but after that, I had to make an effort to "keep it down" to insure the leads are set inplace.
Oh... and for me... Lots of pillows. Pillows provide support at night for comfort. I sometimes had 3 or 4 propping me different ways until my PM was "happy".
I have had mine since January 2010 and there is a lot more I feel like doing now than I did prior to the PM.
So relax. Let the kids and wife pamper you for a couple of weeks while you recoup and then move on. Life really does go on.
Welcome to our club and let us know how you are doing.
qwerty

dont worry

by kiwigirl - 2011-03-30 01:03:30

Hi,
please dont worry yourself sick. I had my pacemaker incerted in 1985 under a local anesthetic then had it replaced 21 years later in 2006 under a local. Frank has described everything you need to know very well indeed. I wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weeks but really that was mostly all I couldn't do. Afterwards you just live life how you have always done, with the addition of appointments for the techs to test the pacemaker.

good luck with everything.
Let us know how you get on

Katherine

dont worry

by hellua - 2011-03-30 01:03:40

Hi, my son just got his PM last week and had no trouble at all. He's only 7, so of course he bounced back faster than we adults, but his doctor assured us that he could do absolutely any sport/activity he wanted to do. She has a patient with a PM that does kick boxing and one that does karate! The one thing to think about is how much more energy you will have for your kids- my son didnt realize how much more energy he would have and is delighted!! As his mom, I would now like one because he is wearing me out!! Sometimes we get used to feeling bad and it becomes the norm for us, I'm sure you'll feel much better once you have it. Let us know,

Hope This Helps

by verlyciad - 2011-03-30 02:03:49

I haven't had mine put in yet either and was equally as scared. What calmed me was doing a ton of research on the procedure. Got most of my info from web md or google pacemaker installation. I also talked to several people, printed out all the packets I could, wrote down my questions for the doctor. I even printed out my doctor's credential to make sure he was board certified and that also helped quit a bit. Hope that helps. Thanks.

I agree with Frank & Katherine

by janetinak - 2011-03-30 02:03:53

I have had 2 PM insertions & it usually a piece of cake esp if you have an experienced doc as I do. Am not waiting my 3rd as am 100% paced & it is coming up on 8 yrs since last done. The arm lifting is something to think about & be careful of. Pain for me was handled by Tylenol for a few days. I had a very fast rate (Afib) so had the AV node ablation this was in 2000 & the PM at the same time. I felt wonderful after surgery & its been all good since. Needed some adjusting of rates (done in office) with a computer & all been great. So glad I did it. There are some things you have to be careful of but life is so good now it doesn't matter. Hey, who wants to hang around the store security system anyhow. Hah!
Try & think positive & let us know how it goes.

Janet

PM will IMPROVE your life!

by SaraTB - 2011-03-30 04:03:47

I note that you are focusing on what you think you won't be able to do in future: what things in particular? I think all of us here have been told by 'helpful' - but uninformed - friends and relatives that we wouldn't be able to do something or other with a PM, but most of us have realised they're wrong, because their information is out of date.
You shouldn't have any physical restrictions at all, once the healing has completed. I use electronic gadgets all the time, hold my cellphone under my ear next to my PM, and things like that, with no effects. I've used a Wii - no issues. Many here have been on roller coasters with no effects either. Some even go through security metal detectors, but that varies from person to person. My doctor has patients who run marathons, with PMs. Lots of women here have conceived and delivered babies, with their PM intact.
All I'm saying is don't let others' bad information worry you: check HERE, because this is the place with answers to questions.
Keep posting here: let us know how you feel after the implant. Many here have felt the same anxiety and have taken a while to accept what has happened (me too!).

You have already made a great step!

by KIRWEN1004 - 2011-03-30 08:03:10

Joining this group was a great step in anticipation of your PM.

If you already suffer from anxiety/stress/depression I highly recommend scheduling an appointment with a therapist. I had my first meeting with my therapist today and it went great and I wish I had made the appointment sooner.

Originally the doctor/nurses and everyone told me I wouldn't be able to lift my arm or pick up anything over 10lbs for 6 weeks. I even slept with a sling for a month so I wouldn't raise my arm in my sleep. And guess what - on Monday I went to my follow up appointment (it was just over a month) and he said I was better than new and I could carry on life as I did before!

Yes it is scary to have something like this done but this group is fabulous and filled with information and support. They helped ease so many of my worries it is incredible.

Best of luck to you. Take it easy during your recovery and enjoy life!

Kirs

Don't Worry

by ABelle - 2011-03-30 08:03:32

Don't worry. FIrst off let me say that I'm 32, I was 31 when I had my PM implanted last May. So I'm offically 10 months post op! And feeling more and more like myself everyday. I actually just went snowboarding for the first time since I had my PM implanted and it was a breeze! I won't lie, I felt like it took a while for me to really feel back up to 100%. But after the first two months, I really felt like myself again. Please feel free to use this site to ask any questions you might have after your surgery. I posted all the time in the first two months, and everyone was so wonderful about answering all of my questions. Good luck with everything, and don't worry it will all work out.
And welcome to the club,
Anna

my two cents

by DC Pacer - 2011-03-30 08:03:36

I am a 37 year old father of 3 girls (10, 8 and 7 years old), and I was 35 when I had my PM implanted. In fact, it was two years ago today! I will make a short list of things I have done since getting my implant (that I was afraid I would never do again):

Golf
Swimming
Picking my kids up with both arms
Basketball
Soccer
Coaching soccer

Do you have to be careful? Absolutely. Your life is not over, it is restarting itself in a new way. Good luck.

Stop thinking the worst

by Sue H. - 2011-03-30 08:03:49

You have to stop thinking about all the things you "think" you won't be able to do and think about how much better you'll feel. Some people, like Frank felt great on the table, for others it took a bit longer depending on why you're getting the pacer. Just remember to give your body time to heal. There is an emotional aspect of getting a pacer and if you have days of feeling blue or saying to yourself what the heck has happened to me that is normal for some but try to push those thoughts out of your mind and enjoy life. Janet is so right...Life is good! And your pacer will help you enjoy it more! Good luck to you and keep in touch with us.... Sue

No big deal

by Gellia3 - 2011-03-30 09:03:10

Hi,
Having a PM is really no big deal. I got mine when I was 26 (Darn thing weighed in at three pounds back in 1975!) and have had one for nearly 36 years now. I have also had 7 replacements.

Honestly, you don't have to miss a thing in life. I haven't at all (except maybe skydiving - I turned that down). Frank gave a wonderful description of the implantation process and the only thing I can add to is is that your life will go on as normal with only very few adjustments to it. And, as Magster said, "Life is good!", enjoy it!

Best to you,
Gellia

hate to be bearer of bad news

by sallybags@email.com - 2011-03-30 09:03:34

You keep worrying about things you will not be able to do. I don't blame you. here is a list of things that you will not be able to do because of your PM. Play pro football,be a kickboxing champion,become a test pilot,become a Navy Seal.Sorry to upset you with the bad news. Seriously,relax. Had mine put in 8 weeks ago and am 57 years old. Went back to playing basketball 3-4 nights a week and started lifting weights. You'll probably feel better too. Good health and long life

get a plastic surgen!

by mike z - 2011-03-30 10:03:00

I had my PM put in last November. I wish that I had checked around more before going under the knife!! I have read others who asked that a plastic surgen be brought in to do the closing up. They were happy with their results. I did not ask, did not get one and I am definately scarred up.

Get unscared!!!

by ElectricFrank - 2011-03-30 12:03:03

The process is really quite easy. In fact it is so easy that I have had both my original implant in 2004 and battery replacement in 2010 done with only a local injection and no anesthesia or sedatives.

After getting you prepped on the operating table they make a small incision usually on the left chest just under the clavicle bone. There is a large vein in that area where they insert two lead wires (one at a time), and thread them into the heart chambers. The leads are attached to the heart wall. You really don't feel this even wide awake like I was. Then back at the incision they make a pocket just under the skin to hold the pacemaker. The pacer is about 1.75" in diameter. This is what I consider the most brutal part of the process although I didn't feel much other than pressure. The pocket is made by a process akin to tearing the skin off a chicken breast. The lead wires are connected to the pacemaker and it is turned on. This is where I got the reward from being awake. It felt so good to have my heart return to a normal rate that I could have jumped off the table and ran around the room. All that is left is for them to insert the pacer into the pocket and suture it closed.

Recovery at this point is a matter of what you chose to have in the way of anesthetic. In my case I was rolled back to my outpatient room and went back to reading a book. The various levels of anesthesia that can be used have their own recovery times.

I should say at this point that I'm not pushing for no anesthesia. You need to talk that over with the anesthesiologist chose what you are comfortable with. I relate my experience more to let you know how I can relate the O.R. details, and that it was easy even under those conditions.

One suggestion that will help you get a good sleep the first few nights is to sleep on the side opposite the pacemaker and put a pillow in front of you to support your upper arm. This keeps you from squeezing the pacemaker area.

As for long term recovery they will send you home with a sling to support the pacer arm. It is optional, but helps when walking around. The most difficult for most of us is that you are not supposed to raise the pacer side arm above shoulder level for 3-8 weeks depending on your cardiologist. I like to stretch while watching TV so I gave my wife the job of yelling at me if she saw my arm going up.

Be sure and come back here with any questions. If you are like most of us you will have plenty when you become a wired gentleman.

best wishes,

frank

Scared

by drashmore - 2011-03-30 12:03:06

I'm 60 but I'm a "baby" to the PM world. I got my PM very unexpectedly in Dec of 2011. Acutally getting the PM was no big deal. My issues started with the meds they thought I needed. The key is don't be afraid to ask question and question everything. This site is very good with that...Read....read...read.

I'm very sensitive to meds and of course I'm seeing a Dr I don't have a history with so it took him a while to understand my sensitivity. What they put me on made me feel like a slug and I had trouble breathing when I walked. Once my evalutions proved I didn't need the meds., I then had to get past my brain. I kept thinking there was something else going on with my heart.

I have always been able to work through anything, but getting past things in my head that I didn't even know I was thinking has been the hardest part of this process. I have learned how to breathe deep and am know listening to relaxation tapes to break the pattern I have gotten in.

Just keep pushing forward and ask questions. Evaluate yourself, no one else can. You are the only one that knows how you feel.

Don't worry, you will be up there with Pacer doing everything you want with your kids. I'm at about 95% of keeping up with my grandkids. I'm expecting to be at 100% in a month.

Good thoughts coming your way.

Debbie

It went well for me

by Edouard - 2011-03-30 12:03:22

Hi Jwinter35
I'll keep this short because the regulars are going to roll up their eyes and say: "Oh no! There goes Edouard again".
Briefly, I collapsed last May, breezed through emergency (I went to the Heart Institute) and was quickly seen by the EP who diagnosed SSS. My surgery took place on the first business day following my admission. I was given a local and remained awake through the whole procedure. The atmosphere was calm and professionnal. There was virtually no pain or major discomfort, except perhaps some pressure when the surgeon inserted the PM. They programmed and tested the machine and after a few minutes wheeled me out of the room. The procedure took perhaps one hour to 90 minutes, post-op included. No major pain afterwards. I was released within 24 hours and up and about the house the next day. A week later, I was bouncing off the walls because my wife would not let me do anything. I had to favour my left arm for a week to 10 days and had to forego swimming for about 6 weeks.
Today I feel fine and am signed up for next April's swimming championship.
You've got a quarter-century age advantage over me, so you should feel confident.
Good luck and regards
Edouard

Thank you so much

by jwinter35 - 2011-03-31 04:03:15

I can't thank all of you enough for your AWESOME feedback... I guess I'm just in the "newbie" stages of "why me" and "this can't be happening" but I'm so thankful to all of you for posting a response on here that it actually brought tears to my eyes (yeah I'm man enough to admit it)...lol...

Your detail and honesty has helped me so much that I actually kind of look forward to it now... I'm just ready to get it fixed and move on with life!

I really look forward to chatting more with all of you and I'm sure I will pick your brains collectively and individually for advice.. Again, thank you so very much!

even been to Iraq

by wjhughes420384 - 2011-03-31 09:03:55

I am on my second PM. the first because of the nerve blockage. while I had that one I traveled around the world and even went into Iraq on a military flight. I had two very different experiences with my two PMs. the first one I had shoulder pain afterward and none with the second. the first I had under a local and the second under general. if you are nervous the general is probably better. with the local you feel some tugging and its just seems a little weird and you have your face covered, no pain, but a little claustrophobic. my second PM is due to CHF. okay, i retired this time, but hell I had 42 years in. I have returned to work 2 days a week consulting. I find that its about the amount of energy i expend over a week more than how much I expend in any one day.

Fast Recovery

by hjfarr - 2011-03-31 11:03:47

Be sure to have an experienced electro-cardiologist perform the procedure. Don't rely on a regular cardiologist who does 1 or 2 implants a year. Explain in detail to our doc your lifestyle, your hobbies, your exercise routines and even activities you would like to do in the future. This will help your doc chose the right unit & settings.
I am 68yo. I had my procedure in mid January. I am back to swimming, biking & running and was just released to lift weights again. Last week I was able to do an 8 mile run followed by a 1 1/4 mile swim on Friday and a 3 hour bike ride on Saturday.
I was back at work at a stressful executive level job in 6 days.
I know you are stressed. I was. As I look back, I've had dental surgery that was worse. You will recover & your energy level will be better so you can spend more quality time with your kids.

Presume Positive Intentions

by RGS - 2011-03-31 12:03:39

I have had my PM for about a year. My PM installation was a piece of cake and recovery was fast--I was back at work on the 3rd day after procedure. I count each of the days my PM has given me as gifts of time I can now spend with my children-laughing, playing, skiing, sailing, and actively enjoying life. When I feel sad about having to have the PM, I look at my wife and children, and think how wonderful it is to be well and with them.

Two things.

by sunblock - 2011-04-01 03:04:23

Getting a pacemaker is not a problem. Takes awhile for the pain to go away and after 3 or 4 months you tend to just forget you have it.

Two things to do. After the insertion MAKE the nurses get you an arm sling. Most hospitals don't want you to have one because you won't exercise the arm/shoulder and they are afraid it will get muscle restricted. Get one anyway. Just sit in the bed or chair and scream at the top of your lungs until they get you one. The difference in pain of having one or not is tremendous. Get one and use it.

Second, Go to Wal-Mart and buy TWO of the "Canopy" brand pillows titled "Contoured Memory Foam Pillow For Side and Back Sleepers" and put one on top of the other. They will allow you to sleep on your side without crushing your shoulder. They keep your head up even with your spine and are very comfortable. You get used to them fairly quickly.

Pacemakers are like listening to a Fuze anymore. Of course I don't do some of the things I used to but then again I'm in my 70's.

Good luck.

I do more since pm

by Hot Heart - 2011-04-02 07:04:03

Hi of course its understandable to be scared, but honestly I am 57 and do more than any 57 year old i know. I go to the gym, have recently started doing weights, first time in my life, love it. i swim a lot, i struggle and battle with my rhodesian ridgeback on his lead, im only 5ft. i dance loads, to be honest there is nothing i dont do. of course ive had it 2 years now and am over the shock, the why me, and all that stuff. i am sure you will be totally fine.

HH

Tomorrow is the big day

by jwinter35 - 2011-04-06 10:04:55

Thank you everyone so much for your positive and kind words of advice. Tomorrow (April 7) is the big day and I have to say, thank God for Ativan! I'm a nervous wreck but I'm also looking forward to moving forward after surgery. I'm very thankful for the Pacemaker Club website and all of its members. I look forward to learning more about life with a pacemaker and seeking your advice about Pacer Life. Who knows, maybe after a little time I'll be able to dispense my own advice to new recipients!

You know you're wired when...

You are always wired and full of energy.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.