fiona

My Mum just had a pacemaker fitted last week and now has a sore neck and sore aching thigh muscles she is also very depressed and tearful. Wondering how much is physical and how much is psychological ? Are these feelings normal after pacemaker surgery can anyone help ?

3 Comments

Fiona

by trekkienurse - 2011-04-16 01:04:24

HI,

I know what your Mum is going through. I was sore after having my pacemaker. My neck and whole left side was sore. It depends what happen when they placed the pacemaker. I went into Atrial Tachycardia when they placed the wires. They had to shock me to get me out of it.

As for the depression and tearfulness, yes I know about that to. After receiving my pacemaker, I was scared to death to just fall asleep. Your scared, will the pacemaker stop? If it does what will happen? I cried for a whole week. Really depressed. Felt like I was "damaged goods". Wished I could have been able to talk to someone who had gone through what I just had. It is normal to feel all this, it is a process we all have to go through. The doctor and staff wasn't helpful at all. Unless you actually are the person going through this, they just don't understand. Questions and more questions.

Thank goodness I found this site and everyone has been so helpful. Most of my questions and concerns got answered. The first thing you need to deal with is knowing you are better than you were before. I told myself I am now the "bionic woman". My life is going to better than before.

Your Mum is going to be fine, she just needs to go through all the different feelings she is experiencing. Just be there for her and listen to her concerns. Reassure her that there are a lot of us out there and we are here for her.

Judi

Fiona

by merlin - 2011-04-17 10:04:45

Hi Judi

Thanks for your reply and your support both my sister and I are worried for my mum she is very tired and depressed. I know it's early days in her recuperation but every ache and pain she has worries us even more. Great to have found this pacemaker club on line. I'll watch out for other posts and check back in if we need more help or support from others dealing with matters of the heart.

Cheers
Fiona

fiona

by jlo - 2011-04-17 12:04:05

I have 2 daughters, who were worried just like you,but be assured, mom will get better. It is very hard to accept the fact, that we have to have a battery to run properly. Mom's are the carers you know, and we dont do "cant" very well, suddenly we are faced with our own mortality, but with time she will get stronger both physically and emotionally, It will take time, but if she needs to cry, let her, just be there for her. I went out with my daughter and friend this week, and shopped for 5 hours," how about that!!! It's a miracle," I have never been a clothes shopper, but now, with the power of batteries, anything is possible. Look what she has to look forward to! It's all good

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