1 day post op

Hello

I am 26 and had a pacemaker fitted yesterday. It was not an urgent operation but I needed it as a had a very slow and irregular heartbeat.

I am now feeling very emotional and in quite a bit of pain. I was amazed that I was just told to take painkillers so I phoned the Hospital today and they told me to see my GP to get something stronger!

They said lots of young people have pacemakers but I don't know of anyone. I just feel really down and I am dreading seeing the wound in a weeks time.

I would be grateful for any help and support.

Thanks

12 Comments

know how you feel

by michelle88 - 2013-01-29 01:01:18

Hi! I've experienced what you're going through. I had my pacemaker put in when I was 17. At the time I didn't have time to process what was going on cause it all happened so fast but afterwards I felt so many emotions and like no one could understand what I was dealing with till one day I just accepted that this was my new normal. And now at 24 I'm due to have a new one put in within the next few weeks. I'm scared, of course and worried but no one said any of this was going to be easy. You just learn to take it day by day. There's plenty of people our age and younger who understand what we're going through, we just have to continue to post on here and hope they speak out also.

Hope you feel better soon!

Glad you found us!

by Grateful Heart - 2013-01-29 01:01:58

Yes, get something for the pain for the first few days or week if you need it. You shouldn't have to deal with the pain right after surgery.

The emotional part is common too. It is a shock and scary for most of us to learn our hearts need help by way of a pacermaker or ICD. I didn't know about this site or of anyone who had a device when I had mine implanted. This site is a Godsend. Everyone here has been there as a newbie and is willing to help you through it. Ask any questions or concerns you may have...it will be answered here by some very knowledgeable, caring and experienced fellow pacers.

Just try to keep in mind that the pacemaker is there to help your heart. You should start to feel better after a short time. A positive attitude is important and knowledge about your device is key. It takes the fear of the unknown out of the equation as you learn more about it.

Now, about dreading looking at your wound. One of my sons is 20 years old and he just had knee surgery 2 weeks ago. He tore his ACL, meniscus and sprained his MCL playing basketball. He now has a fresh scar about 7 inches long with a staple inside (because the screw broke when affixing it. He didn't want to look at it in the beginning because he said he felt queasy.

Here's what I told him...I think it can apply to you too:

The scar is a part of your body now, don't be afraid of it. It was necessary to correct something that wasn't right. Each day it will heal a little more. Our scars inside and out help to make us who we are. It is part of the journey. Embrace it and in time you will not think about it much.

He will have some months of rehab ahead of him and he is now looking forward to it and looking at his scar too!

You will be fine, take it from us, it just takes time.

Grateful Heart


Thanks

by bexkibb - 2013-01-29 05:01:29

Thank you everyone, It really means a lot to hear your helpful and thoughtful comments. I am sure I will have lots more questions soon.

I've got 2 weeks off work and I am office based. Is 2 weeks the norm or do people have more or less?

Thanks again

the big bonus

by Reboot1212 - 2013-01-29 06:01:31

You're going to feel better! Your body feeling better -a little each day will do wonders for your frame of mind. I was amazed how quick the healing progressed. I also work in an office. Two weeks was just right for me. I accepted my PM right away (no choice) so I gave it a name - 'Sparky'. Have a quick recovery and follow the prescribed recovery rules!

welcome

by natalieaarden - 2013-01-29 10:01:16

Welcone to the club. I am 34 and had my pm for just over a year now due to a rare form of svt and heartblock. I felt the same way but since joining this club a couple of months ago it has made me feel like im not alone. I just wish I knew about it earlier. Returning to normailty and work will probably help but listen to your body and dont rush it. Your body needs time. Goodluck with your recover.

It Takes Time (and it sucks!) LOL!

by Many Blessings - 2013-01-29 10:01:27

Hi bexkibb,

I'm sure you've gotten the message from everyone by now that you can get through this. It really does just take time for a lot of people. You're dealing with a lot of stuff right now pain wise, emotionally, physically, and mentally. What you're feeling is normal, so don't you worry about that.

All of us here have been exactly where you are right now. You're so new in the game, I promise, promise, promise you that you are going to feel SO much better within the next couple of weeks.

They say 8 weeks is the "magic number" for really feeling good again, but I was feeling better after a couple of weeks. It's just different for everyone, so just hang in there. You'll get there too!

There are so many things that can affect your recovery. Weirdly enough, I had problems with the pain meds they gave me to help me sleep (I don't like to slow down much). They gave me Percocet and I did not tolerate it well at all. I was blaming a lot of my symptoms on the PM when it was the Percocet.

The PM did have some issues too (I have a CRT-P), but all in all, the meds made me feel just awful (bad dreams, out of it, numbness & tingling in my feet & hands, shocks in my legs, etc.) Others have other kinds of problems, but it all gets better, you'll see.

Just keep reading the posts on this site and take in everything that's said. It will help you so much, and you're going to be so comforted knowing there are others out there going through the same thing, right along with you.

You are going to be surprised how much better you feel once things get working in your favor. They may have to change your settings some, but maybe not. It just depends on how you do with the pre-set settings they have you at now. You be sure to tell them ANY weird feelings, sensations, or uncomfortable pain, fear, thoughts, etc., that you're having so they can help you.

Some people need anti-anxiety meds for a month or so. I didn't, but there are a lot of people out there that did. Don't be afraid to go that route if you need to.

I got a heatoma on my PM site/pocket. It was as big as a baseball. I didn't think it would ever go down, but it did, so don't freak if yours does that too. Some people have trouble with that, others don't. Do let the docs know if you show any swelling so they can check it out just to confirm what it is.

As for the PM itself, you can barely see mine through my skin at all, and I'm little. My scar did keloid, so it doesn't look too good, but it's better than my heart surgery scar, so I'm not complaining. It's better you're alive and feeling good (eventually), than worrying about your scar (I use scar make up to cover mine & it works great!)

Don't you worry about your scar. You worry about getting better, staying positive, and keep asking questions on this site so everyone can help you get through this. And, you WILL get through this. I promise you!

After about a week, you're going to start noticing that you're feeling better, you're no longer having little twinges here or there, etc. That alone is going to give you the confidence that this too shall pass. And, it will.

All of us are here to help, and all of us have gone through it, or are going through it now, right along with you.

With every comment that says "I understand" or "I've been there" or "Me too!" is going to make you feel so much better, it will sometimes bring you to tears, just knowing you're not alone, and confirming you will get through this.

Get your rest, eat well, drink lots of water, watch some good TV, get a little exercise, and stay positive! Read positive books & magazines, watch funny shows on TV, and listen to good, fun, positive CDs (I even bought some subliminal ones off of Amazon). You can also go to YouTube and watch funny things, or listen to some meditation music. It all helps! Relax & enjoy your chance to slow down some. :)

Take care, and best wishes for a quick recovery! Soon you will be out here answering others questions as well. You're going to do great! Hang in there!

You are not alone

by RobertS - 2013-01-29 12:01:00

there are a number of people your age and younger who have posted on this site with pacemakers. Some have had them since childhod whereas others had them put in as teenagers.

From memory - which isn't as good as it used to be- I seem to recall that many felt as you do at first but then go on to lead normal young lives. I do hope some of them see your post and come on to help you. If not then you might try posting again but heading your post: Any young pm people out there? or something similiar.

The pain after implant goes away in time, how long varies from person to person. I'm a lot older than you but I had my pm as an emergency about 7 weeks ago and the scar is small and I had little pain provided I didn't do too much.

There is lots of useful stuff on this site and the search button top right is a good place to start with questions. Lots of helpful people too.

best of luck with your recovery.

Robert

PS: should have though of this

by RobertS - 2013-01-29 12:01:15

Search 'Teenagers' using the Search button top right and if you scroll down you'll see a number of teenagers looking for others in the same boat.

I know you aren't a teenager but it shows you that there are those younger than you. I tried searching 'twenty somethings' but none came up so teen agers was the best I could do.

Hang in there and just pootle around this site and you'll come across people of your chronological age as well as those of us who still think we are twenty somethings! :)

Robert

Postop

by Zia - 2013-01-29 12:01:46

Welcome to the club!

What you're feeling is pretty normal/average judging by all the entries here. I'm three times your age and have only had my PM for three years, so we may not seem to have much in common. I have very little pain and have an almost invisible scar and your scar (the visible one) will probably be the same. But the emotional scar is the one that's probably bothersome right now. There are a lot of folks on here whose PM came to them at an early age, some as babies, and I hope you'll hear from them too with their thoughts on how to live with your new closest buddy. Until then, I wish you the best and know that things will get better.

bexkibb..............

by Tattoo Man - 2013-01-30 01:01:25


.................................I happily put my name down to endorse the wisdom above.

PMs do, for many, take a while to get used to...I really hated mine for months...I am ok now.

Regarding the scar..I'll be honest with you here...it wont look very pretty at first and it'll very likely upset you. Take a picture of it, put it away, and look at it in six months time....it will be SO much better and less obvious.

To me scars, and I have a few ,demonstrate how fabulous the human body is and just how fabulous the people are who fix us up. To get this technology at our disposal is my idea of a miracle.

You'll be just fine...and crying is fine too.

Tattoo Man.. from a gale-swept East Midlands

Pacemaker appreciation!

by Chewlaa - 2013-01-30 11:01:39

Hello friend! Welcome to the world of pacemakers.

I hope the pain from your operation has worn off a bit. Just make sure you don't overexert yourself or move your shoulder too much and it will heal in no time.

I got my first pacemaker when I was 11-12 years old due to heart surgery complications. I am now 18 and living a pretty happy and dandy live. I barely notice my pacemaker these days.

I assure you the scar will heal and begin to fade until it's hardly noticeable. Personally I've never had an issue with my scars. They are my medals for going through surgery.

Keep strong and be well,
Charlotte

LUV MY PM CLUB FRIENDS ~ ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2013-01-30 12:01:48

After experiencing some problems with Afib, a blood clot, etc., my heart doctor suggested a PM. I was so scared, That was in May, 2009. I knew of no one with a PM and had no place to turn to. Being real non-computer savvy ~ I somehow 'stumbled' upon the Pacemaker Club site.

This site is the most wonderful, God-send to me I have ever found. I 'whined' to anyone who would read my 'poor me' 'Post' about the Dr. suggesting the PM. The most educated, experienced, knowlegable people who already had been members on this site for years started 'commenting' immediately. That was in May. In November, 2009, I had the PM placed, scared to death, but more at ease after joing this site and hearing from all my newest Best Friends who helped me on here. IF I tried to name them all on here, I know I would forget some, but Electric Frank, Smitty, Jessie, Blue, TraceyE, Pacergirl, Pookie and so many others.

LOVE from TEXAS,
Carolyn G. ~ ~ ~

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

Member Quotes

I have earned my Black Belt. I now teach class!