newly diagnosed

My name is Denise. I'm 35. I never thought I'd be joining a site like this. Today I found out I may have to get a pacemaker. I'm a nurse, but still freaked out. I have a long medical history most of which is not cardiac related. I'm used to caring for my patents who have cardiac problems. I have symptomatic bradycardia. My cardiologist said there are no meds I can take for it. He is waiting to get the results of my holter monitor. He will decide what to do April 3rd. I have other batteries implanted in my chest for other medical problems. I also have a port-a-cath on the opposite side of my chest. Does anyone have a pacemaker implanted in their abdomen? And I know pacemakers are inserted with light/conscious sedation. Is it possible to have general anesthesia. I get too anxious with conscious sedation.

5 Comments

Anesthesia

by ElectricFrank - 2013-03-22 01:03:54

There is no pacemaker related reason for not having general anesthesia. Talk it over with the anesthesiologist.If you are actually going to have it implanted in your abdomen I would think they might use a deeper anesthesia.

I agree with you about conscious sedation. I went the other way with my implant stayed totally awake with just a local injections around the site. Mine is just below the clavicle on my my left chest.

A warning. I have noticed over the years that nurse, and yes even doctors are the most reluctant to question any of the medical hierarchy's decisions. I've often thought it would be better to have surgery done at a different facility and with hold your occupation. Anyway, remember when you are on the table you are not acting as a nurse.

best wishes,
frank

Pacemaker in the abdomen

by Grateful1 - 2013-03-22 02:03:15

Hello,

I have a pacemaker in the abdomen and I was under anesthesia for that procedure. I have had no problems with it being implanted in the abdomen. I am very active now and don't even think about it. I had it put in May 2012.

Best wishes to you!

Caryn

Nurses make the worse patients

by Rommom - 2013-03-22 09:03:44

I am a nurse too and had my PM inserted in February 2012. After having conscious sedation and and still being awake, I would have loved local MAC, but got through it with conscious sedation. Talk to your doctor and request anesthesia if that is what you want. They need time to coordinate that with anesthesia. With a port on one side, they will probably put on the opposite side. I think you will find it similar to the port as far as insertion but different with the wires. Good luck and I know you will do great!
Bev (I work in Interventionàl Radiology)

Doctors as patients

by swimmer212 - 2013-03-30 12:03:19

Thank you everyone for your support. It's hard to explain emotions to someone who hasn't been through it. I haven't yet, but just the thought of it happening is scary.
Doctors are the worst patients. It is true. I try not to tell people I'm a nurse. It can work for and against me. Sometimes knowledge is too powerful.

I get it

by singingtothewheat - 2013-05-19 03:05:01

I am one tough cookie generally. I'm a nurse as well. I have to tell you though. I've been through a lot medically in the period of a year and my nerves have worn very thin. I had to go through another procedure a few days ago, because my incision needed work and when the nurse jabbed my nerve with the i.v. cath I screamed like hell. I hope your doing better and I get it. I'm pretty sure a few others do too!!!

You know you're wired when...

You have a $50,000 chest.

Member Quotes

I live an extremely normal life now and my device does NOT hinder me in any way.