scared silly

Hi can someone please reasure me iv made the call to cardio to go ahead for a pm inplant and now await a date im in the UK. I am so worried to how he is gunna get the pm in my shoulder area as im so thin and i dont feel much muscle is this gunna end up looking an awful big bump? also when i had my ablation i could feel the wires as they moved them into my arteries awful sencasion will i feel the same as the wires are fed to my heart think its a duel chamber they are fitting (2 wires). can say ive never been so scared thought the ablation was scary but this is something else is it normal to panic like this or is it just me?

kimbo

7 Comments

Hi Kimbo......

by Tattoo Man - 2012-11-07 03:11:07

It WILL be ok ,..but being scared as Don said is a pretty reasonable emotion to have at this point.

Make sure that you get your max dose of Vallium or whatever relaxant is on offer. If you are cool , the Medics have a better chance of placing the leads and the quicker you will be out of Theatre.

There are times in life to 'Do drugs'..for me this was definitely one. Tell them how you feel and whether you can have another shot.

Kimbo..it will be ok. We have some Mega-Star Surgeons here in the UK.

It was freezing in Theatre for me..ask if you can wear some thick socks...you could buy some special PM OP socks specially for the big day. Everytime you wear them afterwards you will be reminded of the day you got your life back !!

Let us know when your Op date is and we will send out some good vibes from around the World

Tattoo Man...East Midlands

You are normal!

by ronilee - 2012-11-07 08:11:05

Sweetie, it is certainly NOT just you. It is a very, very scary thing to have done. I had mine placed, revised the next day, & a month later had lead removed & replaced. I never experienced any pain (or sensation @ all for that matter) during placement or revisions.

Now, yes I do feel uncomfortable, scary sensations very, very frequently.

This is wonderful place to "air" our concerns. Keep us informed!
Ronilee

RELAX, Kimbo!!!

by donr - 2012-11-07 08:11:55

Kimbo: Your reaction at this point is NOT UNUSUAL! You are authorized to be scared, but you MUST get control over your situation or you will turn yourself into a basket case!

Yes, I can assure you that you've made the correct decision for the PM.

You have no idea what the "Lump" is going to look like, nor does the surgeon. AT least not before the job is done.

As far as feeling the wires is concerned - these are two DIFFERENT procedures w/ two different sized "Wires." When they did the ablation, they threaded a catheter into your arteries. And probably over a much longer distance than the implant. They probably started in your inner thigh or the big artery in the arm. The catheter is larger than the PM wires.

Also, this time they will start threading the wires into the subclavian vein, right below the collarbone & it's only a short distance into the heart from there, so you should feel very little. They ALSO probably had you fully awake during the ablation, so you felt more. This time they will sedate you & give you a local anesthesia shot to keep you from feeling all this.

Please - do not worry - easier to say than to do.

I suggest you send a PM to a lady in London who has had both procedures & can tell you EXACTLY what it's like. Her name is Janey L.

Don

thanks everyone

by kimbo - 2012-11-07 10:11:21

thanks for the comments yes i have got things in prospective know i hope, yes your right why should i worry about a lump or bump at the end of the day if it solves my crappy messed up electrics then its well worth it. think iv been more apprehensive as iv had an ablation which was not pleasent but solved the svt plus iv had a implantable loop recorder fit so i know the pocket making thing is uncompfy pulling and pushing but still am a nervous reck when i think about it but am going forward and having it done will keep you all posted when i get a date and how i get on i pray it solves my problem.
thanks again for ya help and hope freddy your well on ya way to recovery.

kimbo

Just done

by freddycycle - 2012-11-07 10:11:28

I just had my device installed yesterday. Two leads. Everything was frozen, and I felt nothing, except for a bit of discomfort when the doctor formed the pocket for the device. It all went very smoothly, recovering with minimal pain.
I, too was very anxious about the procedure, but the reassurances of doctor and family calmed me down.
After it's done, you will wonder why the fig fuss. Really, compared to what others must put up with, this is not a big deal.

skinny too, not lumpy!

by SaraTB - 2012-11-07 11:11:27

Hi Kimbo - you've got good advice from everyone. I'll just add that I'm pretty small and skinny too and my PM is invisible, unless you know to look.

I should tell you that initially it will be a bit raised - creating the pocket makes some bruising, so the area will be a bit swollen, but this will go down. Don't feel that there won't be improvement from the first appearance: just be patient until the swelling goes. I used to be a bit self-conscious about the scar (my skin is very pale, so it looks a bit pink) but now I don't think about it, especially once I realised no-one else really cares anyway!

I had an ablation too, before my PM, and I can tell you the PM procedure is waaaayyyyyy less uncomfortable!

Don't be afraid to keep posting here, if you feel anxious: it's what we're here for. Good luck!
Sara

Hi from me

by Janey L - 2012-11-08 05:11:31

Hi. I'm Janey L that Donr referred to in his reply to your post. Just wanted to say hello & please feel free to private message me with any questions you have. I've had 3 ablations now & got my PM after my 2nd. I'll be more than happy to help you out in any way I can. I'm in the UK too. Hope to hear from you.
Best wishes
Janey

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

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