Planning extraction

Hi all just had a PM put in me last Monday. Long story short, went in for an ablation, primary doc told me afterwards all was good home next day. Middle of night awakened on multiple occasions with bright lights due to the other person in the room. Hence my body was flooded with adrenaline. (Ret Service) Told next day I had too low of a heart rate to go home held over till Monday. HR was 39 to 40 while sleeping, NORMAL for me. NO dizziness, no fainting, no trouble breathing. I do good cardio workout 3 to 4 times weekly. No blockage. Bad sleep for three nights due to roommate being a night person up all night. Made decision if my doc recommended it I would get the PM. New doc shows up Monday. I am tired and wore out from an unplanned extended stay. He (probably unintentionally) made it sound like he had talked to the primary and talked me into the PM. 30 after my ok PM was installed. Overnight stay next morning primary doc asks why was a PM put in, I didn't need it. YEOW. Hence working to get it out of me. It is set at 40 so I know it kicks in while sleeping but just did 5 mile fast up and down hill hike and felt good. I am going in for first check of PM and having it turned off. And scheduling the removal. BAD BAD experience. GREAT if you need them but BAD if you do not. I only have one lead wire I think. Any advice?

1 Comments

Something to learn from your experience

by ElectricFrank - 2012-02-06 01:02:27

I know it is hard, but when we feel the worst is when we most need to stay in charge when working with the medical community. It isn't that they are trying to be dishonest it more the culture which says "When in doubt, treat". They don't have to deliberately work at wearing us down, it is built into the system. It is rare that a scheduled O.R. time is kept.

On my original pacer they called me to come in and spend the night in the hospital so I would be read for an early morning implant. By the time they got me in it was 3:00PM, and I was off food and water. In spite of the way I felt I still insisted on staying totally awake during the procedure so I could keep track of what they were doing. At least I could have my dinner immediately after the surgery since there was no anesthesia to recover from.

On my replacement there were similar delays.This time I was able to make sure that they transferred the settings to the new pacer.

So the moral is: stay with it and agressive when you feel lousy so you can really enjoy life during the good times.

By the way if you intend to have the pacer and leads removed this is the best time to do it. The leads haven't had time to scar into the heart wall and will come out much easier.

best wishes,

frank

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