8 days Post op and super tired still

I'm 37 years old and had a single lead pacemaker set at 30 bpm put under my pectoral muscle with the aid of a plastic surgeon 8 days ago (I was under general anesthia as the surgery was more invasive and longer?). I have 2nd degree AV block that goes in and out of Type 1 and Type 2? I'm not textbook so says the cardiologists and EP's at the hospital. I had bad dizzy spells and blacked out driving which caused me to seek medical attention. It all happened so fast. One week I was racing an Olympic distance triathlon and felt great and then BLAM, I'm in the hospital for a week with a jillion tests being run.

Anywho, I'm new and I'm super tired. So tired that going to Target with help made me take a 4 hour nap yesterday. I'm frustrated b/c I just want to be able to run again and GO! I have 3 young children and I stay at home with them and we're always moving and on the go. I hate sitting and wasting time being lazy. When will I feel better? I thought this was supposed to be an easy surgery.

Amy

4 Comments

Maybe the PM settings ?

by IAN MC - 2012-11-10 03:11:07

Hi Amy It is a sad fact of life that people who are tri-athletes, marathon and ultra distance runners seem to appear on this forum fairly frequently. Regrettably there is evidence that such high intensity exercise can increase the chances of developing electrical problems in the heart.

But you are where you are now, feeling tired 8 days after PM which you weren't expecting. When you say your PM is set at 30 bpm I assume that you mean that is the lower limit and the PM kicks in if you drop below 30.

What was your resting heart rate before you developed any heart problems ? Very fit people can have a very low resting HR in the thirties but it is not usual. If , for example , your resting HR used to be 50 bpm and you are now just above 30 bpm much of the time then you would feel very tired. As you know it is all about having adequate levels of oxygen pumped around the body.

So for starters , go back to your EP and find out if it is a simple setting adjustment which is needed. There can be other causes of tiredness of course e.g side-effects from any drugs which you may be taking (not to mention looking after 3 young children) also there are other setting adjustments which could help apart from the lower limit.

Best of luck

Ian

healing

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-10 09:11:55

I also had mine buried by a plastic surgeon! Healing most definitely takes longer but it's well worth it in the end, imo. Don't worry about the napping, if you're tired, listen to our body and take a nap.

General anesthesia is a lot harder on the body than versed or a local. Are you still on pain meds? They can wipe you out, too. And having small children, I'd be willing to be you haven't been taking it easy and getting enough rest. We are all different but it took me about 4 weeks to get all the meds out of my system, for my heart to get used to beating in sync and for the incision to completely heal. You're not wasting time and being lazy! You are healing. It's frustrating when our bodies don't bounce back as quickly as we want them to. Try to be patient a bit longer, you'll get there!

I agree!

by ohiolaura - 2012-11-12 08:11:23

I agree,you are not being lazy,just an impatient mom,and patient.
You may be expecting too much too fast,I agree you need time,your body needs more time to heal and recover.
Having 3 youngins' to chase around isnt making it easier Im thinking,try not to be so hard on yourself,expecting maybe too much right away.
My magic number was 6 weeks,thats when I turned the corner.I was impatient,frustrated,you name it.
I had been working out for almost 2 years when my heart went down the toilet.I thought Id be ok not long after,Dr said to start slow back into workouts.I did,but wasnt happy with how I felt,as it kicked my butt.
You need to rest,I agree,a much needed part or recovery and healing,be patient Amy,as Ive been told here by many wise people,you will get there.
Funny isnt it,how maybe in the hospital it was made to sound like such a routine surgery?I agree with what you said,I was told the same thing,like its no big deal,and I didnt have an option,so it was like ok,how hard can it be?
A bit more than a walk in the park in my opinion,especially when you have a life,husband,kids,job,and have been basically invinsable,until that moment.
Tougher than the medical folks may make it sound.......guess its just different for everyone.
Please be patient with yourself,rest,drink alot of water,stay focused on the positive,and if you still dont start to feel better soon,call your Dr and have them listen to you.
Listen to those with advice here too,there are so many with so much to help you,believe me,its a blessing to have!
Good luck,and God Bless!
Laura

Placement of PM

by Drewgirl62 - 2012-12-18 06:12:25

Hello from NZ

I am a 68 yr old Grandmother of 12 with Cardiomyopathy and an Ejection Fraction now of 25% which leaves me tired and SOB all the time. I have been offered a CRT/ ICD device in the New Year. The questions I have regarding this have arisen since reading all these forums.
I thought after a few weeks recuperation I would be much better with my EF higher. But if I understand correctly, it could be a year or even longer for recuperation?

Unlike those super fit folk out there, I have been tired & fatigued for months now, unable to do the simplest of housework or meal preparation other than on the odd good day, so resting will be easy for me.

To the women who have used a plastic surgeon to have the PM buried deeper....does this mean that you don't get any rub under your bra strap? Is it a lot deeper than normal? And why does it need a plastic surgeon?
Is this something I should try for? Why did you opt for this way?

My op will be in the public hospital so guess I won't have too many options, but I was told it would have to be under a General Aneasthetic.

Look forward to hearing your feedback.
Christmas Greetings
Heather


Can you sleep on your stomach with a PM in? I hope so

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