New Member

Just joined the Pacemaker Club tonight. I got mine on Dec 28 at 11:00 PM! Went to the hospital about noon and laid in the ER till about 4:00 when they took me to the ICU ( my daughter works in this ICU). It was certainly a lot more comfortable in the ICU than the ER, they have air mattresses there. It was determined that I would go the the Cath Lab for the pacemaker around noon on Saturday. As I rested in the ICU my pulse was between 25 and 29 and that is with all sorts of drugs being put in through the two IVs. About 6:30 my heart decided to take a 5 to 20 second rest every now and then. Boy did I get dizzy when that would happen. The Doc came by about 8:00 and said let's not wait so by the time all the team could be assembled it was close to 10:45. I am certainly feeling a lot better.

2 Comments

Welcome

by ElectricFrank - 2013-01-08 02:01:44

I know that one. My HR was down to 26 by the time the pacemaker was implanted. I didn't have the pauses though. I chose to remain fully awake during the implant so was "there" when they turned it on. What a feeling to have my HR jump from 26 to the 70's. I felt like jumping off the table and running around the room.

Give yourself a chance to recover and you will feel as good as new. They are amazing little devices. Being an electronic engineer I understand mine so it is a warm fuzzy friend.

frank

Welcome

by RobertS - 2013-01-08 10:01:41

to the Club. Glad it all went well for you in spite of the long wait and the little 'rests'.

I was awake during my implant about four weeks ago now and the feeling when they turned the pacemaker on was something else - like Frank I wanted to rush off and do stuff. 4 weeks in and I forget the thing is there most of the time until one of the grand-kids bumps it! I'm lucky in that the intial setting seems fine for me and I don't have any discomfort.

But be careful not to do too much too soon and listen to the medics about what you should and shouldn't do during your recovery phase - usually the first six week post implant. Lots of info on this site so look around and there will be someone here who can answer any questions you may have.

I don't yet know how much work the pm is doing but my HR was down to 30 ish and is now up in 70s - when I get my check up in a couple of weeks I'd be interested to know if that is all the pm's work or if I have full time permanent block.

best of luck

Robert

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