Starting to get freaked

I am one week from my procedure, which i have been fighting for quite awhile. Not sure what to expect. I took two weeks off from my job. Hopefully thats enough time. Its a new job as well. Very stressed and abit emotional. Any words of wisdom?

9 Comments

returning to work

by myrosie - 2013-01-16 09:01:14

Hi ka. I'm 5 weeks post pacemaker. I took one month off
of work and glad I did. What do you do for a living? Are you able to take more time off if you need too? I was stressed and cried a lot, prayed even more, getting better each day. Keep positive, keep the faith and share your feelings. This is a great site, your not alone. Keep in touch and let us know how you are.

Getting A PM

by SMITTY - 2013-01-16 10:01:00

Hi Kat97,

I can understand your concern about the upcoming PM surgery, but like you have been told, it is probably unnecessary concern. I had heart surgery (quadruple bypass) a few years before I got my first PM and the only thing in common to the two surgeries is the name "heart surgery." PM surgery is a breeze compared to the open heart surgery.

To give you an idea of what is involved in getting a pacemaker below is something I have written about my PM surgery experiences. I got my first PM in 2000 and the 2nd one in 2009. Both were done in the same hospital but by different Drs. Both surgeries were almost identical. So to give you some idea of what you are facing:

I arrived at the appointed time, which for me was 7 AM. I was given a some of the hospitals latest fashions to put on and told to lie down and get comfortable as it would be a little while before the surgery. I read the paper and watched TV for a couple of hours while other PM patients were also being readied for their PM . After about an hour I got an IV and spent the next 3 or 4 hours being "prepped" which consisted mainly of getting about a quart (at least it looked like that amount) of antibiotic through the IV and the surgery area cleaned and cleaned real good.

About noon the doctor showed up and examined the area for the implant. After another hour or so I was wheeled off to the surgery area where I spent another 30 or 40 minutes being "dressed or draped" for the surgery. Sometime after I got in the surgery area I received some medication to make me relax so they said, but what it did was make take a nap in about a half-sleep mode. I vaguely remember being told they were injecting a local anesthetic into the area where the surgery would be performed so I would not feel the anything. About 45 minutes later I was told, "okay Mr. Smith, we are through and your pacemaker is working just fine." I was wheeled back into a room where I had to wait for awhile to be sure I had no adverse reactions to any of the meds I had received. About 5 PM I was told I could go home.

I was not unexpectedly sore and my healing was no problem. I did have restricted use of my left arm for a few days, the main thing being not to raise my elbow above my shoulder, or to lift more than a few lbs. Each of us is different, therefore get slightly different instructions) with the arm on the side of the PM. I was not allowed to drive for about 24 hours and then for short distances for a week or so. All in all the pain is less than most dental surgery I have had, and since I was retired even with the first one, it did not interfere with any activates.

One last word, you will go home with your Drs best guess on PM settings. Most of the time these are good, but occasionally some people need to have those settings tweaked. If you think your PM is causing you a problem, even if it is just that you think something is amiss, let your Dr know, otherwise he will have no way of know everything is not perfect. Also, my best guess is the two weeks will be ample off work time. I certainly would have been for me.

Good Luck,

Smitty


Implant {ICD} Dec 2012

by ICDnFL - 2013-01-17 01:01:39

Kat and Kimbo,

The "unknown" causes more anxiety than any other thing for us humans. Which is why the horror movies work so well.

This is no horror movie, but it is very important that you follow your Doc orders and do not reach behind your back or head, do not raise you arm above your head and do not lift heavy items. MOST importantly though DO NOT get the site wet because if it gets infected you will be in deep trouble. Also, the pillow suggestion is very helpful and wise.

You are doing the right thing by reaching out and searching for information. It helps to be informed.

After the implant, take it easy and pay attention to what your body is signaling to you. Once you have recovered (each person/doctor is different), you will be able to feel the difference in energy, and be much more clear headed. After all, your brain needs good blood flow.

If you have the opportunity, make sure you have what you need to have around the house during your recovery in advance, because driving is an issue. Unless, you can call on family and friends when you need something.

You are both in my prayers, keep us informed on how you're doing.

Smitty said it well

by ElectricFrank - 2013-01-17 01:01:42

As far as work is concerned it depends a lot on what you do and how much physical effort is takes. I was retired when I got mine, but I'm very active. I was back to my normal activities the next day including a 2-3 mile walk. It was a bit sore when bouncing around, but no big deal. The main limitation is the restriction on raising the pacer side arm above shoulder level for 3-8 weeks depending on your doc. It can be easy to forget.

Oh, one suggestion. For the first few nights sleep on the side opposite the pacemaker and put a pillow in front of you to support the upper arm. This keeps you from squeezing the incision during the night. I slept solid the first night without any meds.

So, relax and it will be over in no time.

frank

Disability for 8 weeks

by lahbigbro6 - 2013-01-17 02:01:32

I went on Disability for 8 weeks, worked in an office. Why only 2 weeks ? Its actually very easy to get a pacemaker in. You should get proper rest and not lift arm. I watched the Yankees for 8 weeks. Good Luck and do not worry !

i feel the same

by kimbo - 2013-01-17 03:01:03

i have surgery tomoz 18th and i can say im really freaking out now but reading smitty's comment has helped im sure were gunna be just fine im in uk and my prep is in for 10am an hour before going down to lab iv antibiotics told should take about an hour to do then back to ward kept over night xray and measurments in the morn and if all ok sent home in afternoon. told 6 weeks for arm restriction and everything else is on how each induvidual feels .i will post when iv been done to tell you how it went were gunna be just fine this site is a real life line for help and advise.

kimbo

I'm UK too

by Suzie_G - 2013-01-17 04:01:54

Had my PM end Nov 12. Wasn't much worse than going to the dentist. You can't drive by law for a week here and may find changing gear heavy going.
Be very careful with movement - I have to go through it again soon as one lead has retracted and that has upset me greatly ! Just be careful - I had 3weeks off work, may take more next time as don't want to risk the lead moving again.
Best wishes, Sue

HI Kat................

by Tattoo Man - 2013-01-17 09:01:45

..............feeling freaked is, I reckon a pretty normal thing to experience..I'm the same myself. The Guys who have written above are spot on with thier accounts.

All that I would add is dont be afraid to ask for a good dose of Sedative, not everyone is tough and there is no shamein admitting it. My view is that the Surgeon wants a relaxed patient, so you could be doing everyone a favour !

I am writing this from my bed, awaiting an Op to take all of my existing kit out and having a new, single lead setup in my right shoulder..I asked for a GA and thats what I will get.

Best wishes to you and to Kimbo...we will all be thinking of you. Let us know how you get on.

Tattoo Man


,

Watching Yankees

by ElectricFrank - 2013-01-19 01:01:09

That's a no-no. You could get excited and pull your leads out. You must sit quietly and meditate (or medicate depending on your persuasion).

Me, I kept myself calm by driving around in the desert over rocks and boulders. Worked great. My original leads are still working after 8 years. That bouncing around must have screwed them in tight.

cheers,

frank

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