Post surgery complications

My 25 year old son received a pacemaker on Thursday. He came home from the hospital on Friday complaining of pain in the area of the pacemaker. On Saturday night, he had his first instance of the pacemaker working and it made him feel sick as well as he said it felt like his heart was racing and he wasn't sure how long that feeling was supposed to last. He told me today (Sunday) that he keeps feeling hot and then cold (like he battling an infection) as well as he wasn't able to sleep very well since he was experiencing shortness of breath every time he laid down in bed. My question is - are these symptoms to be expected or what should I be doing regarding taking him to the emergency room or calling his doctor?

10 Comments

Maybe adjustments are needed

by michelle29 - 2012-01-08 05:01:10

I am 29 and got my PM in August 2011. One week after getting it I went back to ER because I felt awful. Tired, weak, dizzy, shortness of breath. Doc made adjustments and i went home next day. Since then I had 2 more adjustments. Shortness of breath is common. Hot /cold flashes - I never really had. he may want to go back and see what they can do. All the feelings are awful and getting adjustments really help. Always good to make sure there are no infections as well.

Good luck to u all

P.s

by michelle29 - 2012-01-08 05:01:49

P.s Racing heart lasted a few weeks for me - uncomfortable feeling for sure. I still feel like its racing at times every once in awhile.

Check with the doc

by COBradyBunch - 2012-01-08 07:01:06

I thought my pacer was going off all the time when I first got it... turns out it wasn't, but I was uber aware of what my heart was doing and probably more than a bit freaked out by the whole deal since I went from being a healthy 50 year old male to having a pacemaker in 3 days. All of the things he is having I had but I would still have his doctor check him out.

Get him checked by GP

by jane32 - 2012-01-08 07:01:42

There is a lot of discomfort for some after getting pm but you are better to have him checked than worry. My lung was punctured during procedure and his symptoms sound familiar. Everyone is different, and got their pms for various reasons, but I would always recommend getting it checked. I am not aware when my pm is pacing but have to agree with others you are super sensitive when you first get pm. Keep in touch and let us know how he is doing.

Best wishes

Jane

Hot and cold feelings

by ElectricFrank - 2012-01-09 01:01:14

These concern me the most. Has he checked his temperature for a fever? Infections can range anywhere from in the pocket area around the pacer to systemic blood infections where bacteria has entered the vein where the leads penetrate. These need early attention as they can get very mean to treat.

So either check with the surgeons office or go to ER.

good luck,

frank

THANK YOU

by ncpacer - 2012-01-09 09:01:53

All,

thank you all very much for the great advice/wisdom. We have an appointment tomorrow with the surgeon but you have provided me with so much information. This has been such a whirlwind experience that I didn't have time to research or know what questions to ask. Now I do!

I'm incredibly impressed with all your knowledge and suggestions. I will let you know what the doctor tells us tomorrow. My son does not have a fever which i saw as a good sign.

Unacceptable

by Pookie - 2012-01-09 12:01:09

Take him to the ER......anything could be wrong from a punctured lung to pericarditis. Yes, one should be sore after surgery, but there should be no pain. Anxiety could be making his heart race, but wouldn't you rather have him checked out and have some peace of mind?

And shortness of breath - unacceptable.

Go to the ER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and insist they do everything possible, because this does not sound right to me.

Actually, he should have his pacemaker interrogated by a PM Tech or by an EP.

Just my nonmedical opinion, but better safe than sorry.

Pookie

more information.......

by Pookie - 2012-01-09 12:01:25

this is either from WebMD or the Mayo Clinic, I just copied and pasted what I thought you should know:

Managing Your Pacemaker

Do your part in managing your pacemaker. You may have to have someone help you, but there are certain things you'll need to do to manage your pacemaker successfully. These include:
Understand your acceptable heart rate. Before you leave the hospital, discuss with your doctor the specific maximum heart rate above your pacemaker rate that's acceptable. Discuss the programmed lower and upper rate for your pacemaker, too. Talking about this with your doctor early in your treatment will keep you from worrying unnecessarily.

Take your pulse and keep a record for your doctor. Counting your pulse is a good way to check that your heart is pumping correctly. Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through your blood vessels. By putting your fingertips on a point on the inside of your wrist or over an artery in your neck (as shown in the illustration), you can feel this beat (pulse). The number of pulse beats per minute is the same as the number of heartbeats. Count your pulse for one full minute, note the number of beats and see if it's in the range that your doctor told you was acceptable for your pacemaker. If your pulse is very slow or very fast, call your doctor. Use these guidelines for pacemakers and pulse counts:

If your pacemaker is beating regularly and at or above its proper rate, it's OK.

If your heart is beating close to or within the accepted rate but has an occasional irregularity, don't worry. Every now and then your own heart's natural pacemaker competes with the man-made one. Some extra beats that the pacemaker can sense electrically won't result in a pulse that you can feel.

If your pulse rate suddenly drops below the accepted rate or increases dramatically, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor will tell you what to do. It may be possible to program your pacemaker so it resumes working normally, or there may be some other problem.

If your pacemaker is installed for a fast-slow type of heartbeat and your pulse is rapid and irregular (above 120 beats per minute), call your doctor for more instructions.

If your pulse is beating faster than you've noticed before — but below 100 beats per minute — don't be alarmed.

Take prescribed medications. It's important to follow instructions and take prescribed medicine by following directions precisely. The reason is that the medicine works with the pacemaker and helps your heart pump regularly. Your doctor may ask you to keep a record of when you take your medication by marking a calendar.

Follow all instructions regarding diet and physical activity. Allow about eight weeks for your pacemaker to settle firmly in place. During this time, avoid sudden, jerky or violent actions that will cause your arm to pull away from your body.

Other warnings and information

Avoid causing pressure over the area of your chest where your pacemaker was put in. Women may find it more comfortable to wear a small pad over the incision as protection from their bra strap.

Feel free to take baths and showers. Your pacemaker is completely protected against contact with water.

Follow the program of activity outlined by your doctor.

Car, train or airplane trips pose no danger.

People with pacemakers can continue their usual sexual activity.

Perform some kind of physical activity every day, whatever kind you enjoy. You might try taking a short walk, or moving your arms and legs to help your circulation. If you're not sure about exercising, ask your doctor for advice. You may be able to perform all normal activities for a person of your age.

Don't overdo it — quit before you get tired. The proper amount of activity should make you feel better, not worse.


Report to your doctor if:

You have difficulty breathing.

You begin to gain weight and your legs and ankles swell.

You faint or have dizzy spells.

Tell physicians, dentists and other health professionals that you have a pacemaker. Physicians or dentists need to know that you have a pacemaker. Tell them about it before you have any work done. Notify the doctor or nurse where you work.

Modern pacemakers have built-in features to protect them from most types of interference produced by other electrical devices you might encounter in your daily routine. Household appliances such as microwave ovens, televisions, radios, stereos, vacuum cleaners, electric brooms, electric blankets, electric knives, hair dryers, shavers, gardening machinery, toasters, food processors and can openers won't affect your pacemaker. Most office and light shop equipment such as computers, typewriters, copy machines, woodworking shop tools and metalworking tools also pose no risk to your pacemaker.

If you suspect interference with your pacemaker, simply move away or turn off the equipment. Your pacemaker won't be permanently damaged and will resume its normal activity. Consult your doctor about special situations (such as working with high-current industrial equipment and powerful magnets). Surgical procedures also count as special situations. Certain types of medical equipment, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, can also affect how a pacemaker works.

Always carry your identification card. In any kind of accident, your I.D. card will tell the people helping you that you have a pacemaker. Your card can be particularly handy if you travel by air. The metal-detection devices in airports may detect the metal in your pacemaker, although they won't damage it. Showing your card may save you some inconvenience.

Keep all medical appointments. To work properly, your pacemaker should be checked periodically to find out how the leads are working and how the battery is doing. Today many thousands of people have pacemakers and lead full, productive lives. Pacemakers are usually safe and reliable, but they do need to be checked regularly. The easiest way to check your pacemaker is to take your pulse. Taking medicine as prescribed and seeing your doctor regularly will also help. Your doctor can explain things you don't understand.

Hope this helps.

Pookie


Dec 16, 2011

by Duke Heart Patient - 2012-01-09 12:01:39

37 M
I am and always have been very active and athletic. I've referred basketball and umpires baseball since is was 17. I had open heart surgery when I was 2 months old. Been on mess all my life. Dec 10 while refereeing basketball my rate shot to 236. I was rushed to the ER. Media didn't work and I was shocked while awake and alert. Then sent to Duke and stayed 8 days. Long story short , everything he feels is normal. I'm the same way , sore some , tired some , fine sometimes , worried all the time etc. I have had soreness to. Worried , yes ! Scared , VERY ! It's all new ....... I'm not overweight , never have been. It's all an adjustment for me and him to. Just pray that God will be with him. I know it's hard , trust me , I'm dealing with t all right now .....

Hows he doing now

by jane32 - 2012-01-12 04:01:44

I have been checking daily to see how your son is so hope all is going well.

Regards Jane

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