Hi! Help! Pacemaker Surgery

Okay,
My name is Brittany. I am 20 years old and am about to recieve my first pacemaker. I've had a reveal monitor implanted and explanted and currently have a port to recieve fluid. Howver, I am a bit edgy about getting a pacemaker. I'm worried about pain after. I'm used to pain but still get nervous about it. Tylenol usually doesn't help me much. Do you think the Dr. will give me a stronger dose? The same doctor prescribed Percocet for me when he took out my reveal monitor. My port is on my right side because i'm left handed, consequently they have to put my pacer on my left side. :( This means more pain? How long does the surgery usually last? Were you put to sleep? I have usually been knocked out during my previous surgeries but I did wake up on the table once. (Not a good experience).

Thanks !!!!
Britt

10 Comments

Dont worry

by billylittle - 2013-05-14 08:05:29

I'm not gonna lie, you will have some discomfort. Its not as bad as you would think. Yes they will give you some pain meds. They key to it is to rest, but not all the time. You need to move around. The more you move around the quicker your discomfort will get better. DON'T OVER DO IT THOUGH! A little at a time... surgery usually last about an hour.one I got on operating table that's all I remember about survey... you shouldn't know that your even there.

New Pacemaker here

by singingtothewheat - 2013-05-15 01:05:19

Try not to worry Brittney. I know that's not easy. I was nervous too. Post procedure I really did not have much pain. More just hard to get comfortable on my side which is how I normally rest. I got by with E.S. Tylenol and was able to move around till I was comfortable that first few days. By a week out it was much easier to get comfortable when I rested. Now at almost a month, I have no pain at all.

Tammy

by BStanding56 - 2013-05-15 04:05:53

Reading your post gave me so much reassurance Thank youx. I am having a 3 lead Pacemaker fitted next month and then an ablation 8 weeks later, I have to admit I am frightened and nervous about the procedure but don't have a lot of choice, have collapsed a few times, does not do a lot for your confidence.

Brittany

by IAN MC - 2013-05-15 08:05:13

I had virtually no pain and didn't need any pain-killers.but we are all different. My PM implant took under an hour.

I was not put to sleep and glad that I wasn't as I could ask the Dr loads of questions while he was doing it . Because i only had a local I was able to enjoy lunch immediately on return to the ward.

It really is a simple procedure !

Best of luck

Ian

I forgot to mention....

by Many Blessings - 2013-05-15 09:05:03

In all honesty, the worst part of the whole thing, was trying not to lift your arm (on the side of the PM) up over waist level for several weeks (or however long they tell you not to do it.) You want to do it SO bad, and since you're not hurting, you want to do it even more! LOL! This is so the leads can adhere to the heart, and not move or come loose, from what I was told. Some disagree how long is "normal" not to lift your arm, but I'd follow your doctors advice (okay, I did cheat "a little!") LOL!

When I had my CRT-P (PM) done, I had an AV Node ablation and other things done while they were in there, which is when they ran into complications & a longer procedure/surgery (that I mentioned in my earlier post). This happened ONLY because I had a lot of scaring from prior open heart surgeries. This is probably not the case with you, so if it isn't, I would bet you anything, you won't have any complications at all.

Even with the other things I had done, there still really wasn't any pain. My PM site didn't hurt me at all. I really didn't notice any discomfort at all (other than the side effects from the Percocet - I hated it!) I honestly would have no fear going and having it done again, or changed out, as far as the pain goes.

Again, I hope this helps you some! You have a lot of votes for "you're going to do great, with very little pain"! Trust us! :)

Me too

by Many Blessings - 2013-05-15 12:05:07

Hi Brittany,

I actually had very little pain regarding having my CRT-P done. My procedure went much longer than expected due to some complications, and I ended up having some actual surgery as well.

Even with that, I did awesome as far as pain goes. I have a high pain tolerance, and do not like pain meds, but I will take them after surgery. I was given Percocet too (like you and Angry Sparrow), and I did NOT do well on them at all! They made me feel absolutely horrible, and gave me creepy and weird side effects. As soon as I quit taking them, the weird side effects stopped immediately.

Watch what they give you. If you tolerate them well, great, if you start feeling weird or bad, let them know and see if you can take something else. There are a lot of different pain meds out there that they can give you. I actually did fine with Ibuprophan when I took anything at all (after the icky Percocet), but I actually really didn't need anything. I was surprised at how little pain I had.

Don't worry too much about the pain. I really think you're going to be okay with it. Hopefully, others will tell you the same! :)

Good luck kiddo!



I am also left handed

by Jax - 2013-05-15 12:05:29

The pm surgery was not terrible. Extra strengh tylenol worked for me but if you need somethi g stronger I'm sure yr doc will give you something. Having my pm on the left and being left handed took me a little more time to recover but after about 2 weeks I was fine and ready to resume my life. They were going to put pm on the right but in the procedure room they said that the left is closer to the heart and easier to do. That's all I needed to hear.

Hi there

by jane32 - 2013-05-17 04:05:45

I think if we are honest we were all very nervous about getting our pm. The procedure takes about an hour. I was awake during it, it was uncomfortable but bearable. You will be given sedation. One thing to remember is to take a button, or zip front top with you to wear home as it is too awkward to try and put anything over your head. Take it easy for a few days when you get home, listen to what the Drs tell you and you will be fine. Best wishes, let us know how you get on. Its normal to be nervous, but the thought of the procedure is worse than the actual procedure.

Cheers Jane

thank you!

by britt77016 - 2013-05-18 10:05:23

Thank you all so much for your responses! I know i'll be fine but everyone goes through pre-surgery jitters (i guess). after all, the surgery is on a very important organ of the body! havingt the surgery on my dominant side is a little unnerving because i do so much with my arm-especially during sleep. I may wind up ductaping it to my side lol! did anyone wear a sling??
thank you!!!
Britt

3 days out

by sramsey - 2013-05-20 05:05:05

Hi Britt,
I had my pacemaker implanted 3 days ago and, I won't lie, I've been in quite a bit of pain. Then again, I have three little boys at home (a 6 year old and 4 year old twins) and I'm certain that I've been over-doing it. Ice is the biggest help and I can get by with just taking Advil throughout the day, but when I settle in to sleep at night I definitely like having the Percocet. Morning is the worst time of day for me, but I think that is just due to being immobile for so many hours. Like you, I was very nervous leading up to the surgery. I was put under a light sedation for the surgery. I remember talking to the Biotronik technician in the OR and the next thing I remember after that is being wheeled into recovery. My doctor has ordered me to wear a sling for the next 10-14 days as a helpful reminder to not overuse my left arm. I generally sleep on my stomach with my arms above my head, so to be sure I don't roll over in my sleep I've started sleeping propped up on pillows with my arm elevated as well. I definitely think it is worth a few days of pain to not pass out anymore and not have to worry about really hurting myself and/or endangering my kids.

Good luck on your surgery!

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Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!