PM implant

Tomorrow I get a PM. I don't know what scares me more, the actual procedure or the fear of lifting my arm accidentally and dislodging the leads. I know I shouldn't be afraid as I've read what so many others here have gone through here in this group. I'm just nervous.

16 Comments

youre no different

by ohiolaura - 2013-06-06 10:06:50

I understand where youre coming from,the surgery,usually is a easy thing,as is the recovery.
Im at almost 1 yr from surgery,and had absolutely no time to get info before surgery,and I mean no info except what they told me in the hospital,which was total basic stuff.
The surgery for me was fine,sore after,but not bad,tired me out,as did the whole experience as a whole.
I just had to remember to use my non surgery side,which is the right,and Im right handed,it wasn't bad at all.Made it tough to do my hair,had to be smart when I got dressed,and my husband made sure I didn't lift anything or do much for the 6 weeks.
I did go back to work,hairdresser,but couldn't do hair,the arm lifting thing,lucky for me I do more nail services,which I could do.
Sleeping was a little rough at first,just being comfy,I used to be a stomach sleeper,now Im not,usually.Could b.,This PM really isn't in the way at all,except for being a reminder that a year ago my wiring went all to hell!
Try to relax,if you are confident in your Dr,get all the info you can,eat well,try to rest,and ask questions here,its important to know things.My world has changed so much this past year,Ive learned things that I never imagined would affect me.
Good luck with surgery, is the 1963 the year you were born? It is mine,just wondered.
Laura

Surgery is ok

by wandoloswki - 2013-06-06 11:06:16

Most people do very well for this type of procedure I have a dual lead type. Boston Scientific. had problems in settings but most people have no problems especially after the settings are adjusted after you first EP visit. Mine has Rate response on. It increases the heart rate when I move around. I have SSS sick sinus syndrome.

A step at a time

by Grateful Heart - 2013-06-06 11:06:32

Just think, this time tomorrow your surgery will be over with and you will be on the road to recovery. Then you can concentrate on keeping your arm below shoulder height for awhile.

I wish I knew about this site when I had my implant. Prayers for you and your Doctor. You'll be fine Betts and don't forget.....we'll be here.

Keep us posted,

Grateful Heart

Good Luck!

by Many Blessings - 2013-06-07 01:06:10

Good Luck Betts!

Once you get to the hospital for your procedure, things move really fast, so there's not a lot of time to worry about things. Once you get home, you may feel tired, nervous, anxious, and even a little regretful that you had this done. All of that is normal for a lot of people. Some people even have some depression/anxiety, especially if they're prone to that. Others feel great right away!

If you're not feeling well (tired, out of breath, heavy legs, shaky, tingling, etc.) you'll want to call the doctor and see if you can get in to get your PM checked. Don't panic if you're feeling any of these symptoms, as these can be a sign that your PM settings need to be changed. This is normal and an easy fix. You still want to call the doctor just in case it's something other than your settings, but a wrong setting can cause all kinds of unpleasant side effects. It's a learning process for you, your doctor, and your PM tech, until they get things right.

All of us were "pretty" careful trying not to lift our arm up higher than we were supposed to, and most, if not all of us, would forget from time to time and either lift it up to high while we were awake, or wake up and realize we'd been sleeping with it over our heads, without any damage or harm (but do be careful!)

Do watch for signs of infection at the PM site (they'll explain this to you). Other than that, follow your doctor's advice, stay positive, laugh a lot, and lean on your family and this PM site when you need to vent or need any questions answered.

Good luck with your procedure! We'll all be thinking of you and saying a prayer or two!

Blessings,

it should be starting NOW

by ford truck guy - 2013-06-07 01:06:19

Here it is Friday and depending on your scheduled time you should be resting comfortably! See , all that worrying for nothing!! Starting now you will be enjoying life without the fear that your heart will not keep up it's end of the bargian.... Rest Well , feel better , listen to the Doctor and you will be back to your old ways soon enough..Joe

PS:

by Many Blessings - 2013-06-07 01:06:39

I forgot to mention:

A lot of us had diaphragmatic pacing afterwards. You will know this is happing if your diaphragm feels like it's hiccupping or moving with your heartbeat. This is a weird feeling, and you'll know right away if it's happening. This happened to me (and many others). Since I didn't know what to expect after my procedure, I thought it was "normal". Luckily, I decided to mention it to the PM tech at the hospital the next day. He knew exactly what it was (you could see it by looking at my stomach/chest area) and made some quick changes and all was well within seconds!

They make these changes by placing a device over your PM that's hooked up to a machine that reads all of your settings (not a good, detailed description, but easy to understand). This doesn't hurt at all, but can make you feel a little weird and woozy while they're doing it.

Again, ANY time you feel anything weird, uncomfortable, painful, etc., make sure to let your doctor know so they can check things out right away. It will most likely be normal, and easily fixed with either a PM setting change or a little more healing time.

Still thinking of you!

You are lucky I didn't...

by donr - 2013-06-07 01:06:49

..use my analogy between putting in leads & Moby Dick. I used it on my cardio enough times that he finally got a bit exercised & showed me what it took to get one of those harpoon like leads SUCCESSFULLY embedded in the wall of a heart.

He did not tell me how they get in there w/ a screwdriver to sink the other type heads.

You'll make it in fine shape.

Just talk their ear off when they roll you into the OR. Ask a ton of questions about everything they do. Make it a point to tell them how nervous you are. Guess what - they already know. But if you bring it up, any good OR crew will do their best to relieve your anxiety.

Where you going for the big event? Charlottesville?

Don

Good luck

by Ian - 2013-06-07 06:06:59

Hope it all goes well Betts

You'll still have loads of questions and worries afterwards as i do, so keep talking to people on here as i've found it very useful.
Ian

Betts...

by lubro - 2013-06-07 09:06:05

just wanted to say hi and pretty much agree with all the others who have posted here. Great group...I've only been around a short while, but it's a great place to learn, laugh, share, and just feel that you are really not alone... Most people here who respond have been around a while and are very knowledgable...
and you can always count on donr to make you laugh...
let us know how you make out...

Lou

today

by Hope - 2013-06-07 10:06:08

Hi! Today is a special day for you. It is the beginning of of your heart receiving the help it needs to give you a better journey. Yes, you will have questions and probably some bumps in the road, but you can do this. Mixed feelings/emotions ate natural, but most of us learn to appreciate that there is help available and we are receiving it, even though that.takes time, some more than others. I will.be thinking of you. Keep us posted, and remember we are here for you. Hopeful Heart


thanks

by Betts1963 - 2013-06-07 12:06:06

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. To Laura, yes 1963 is the year I was born. Having heart issues is a shock for me.....my heart is lazy now it won't elevate when I'm active which we all know finally led to syncope for me......unfortunately two episodes were behind the wheel. I came out lucky both times not s scratch on me, others or my car. Haven't been driving since.

PUlling leads

by donr - 2013-06-07 12:06:42

Ah, Betts - Unless you join the "Flying Wallendas" in their flying trapeze act the day after surgery & become their headliner, you cannot pull your leads out. There is enough slack in the leads that you would be very hard-pressed to stretch them out to the point they would pull on the lead ends buried deep in the heart of Betts! Further, they are held w/ a suture at the point where they enter the sub-clavian vein for their ultimate plunge into your heart. There is slack inside the vein. there is slack inside the heart chambers.

Ever had an echo-cardiogram & heard the machine going "Slosh-Schloop; slosh-schloop"? well, that's the sound of all the blood in there turbulently moving around, back & forth. The leads are in that turbulent environment, being whipped back & forth once per second as the heart beats. Those anchors have to withstand the tugging of the slack in the leads being sloshed around. They are pretty darned well secured - either w/ a screw thread or barbs, like on a whale harpoon. (Don't ask me whether the screw head is Phillips or chisel blade - I don't know).

BUT...having said all that, you still will feel pretty antsy about raising your arm over your head at night while sleeping. Here's how to solve that problem - two solutions - your choice.

1) You are a Biker, Get an over-sized Harley Tee & slip it on w/ the PM side arm INSIDE the tee.

2) Buy a sling - which is really worthless - & get a long belt, wrap it around your waist & thread it through the sling. Buckle it.

Either of these will work as a reminder while sleeping to keep the arm down.

Report in when you are home & feeling better

Don

don

by Betts1963 - 2013-06-07 12:06:50

You really know your stuff don't you?? And this happens just when I planned to join the flying wallendas.

I'd better get some sleep gotta leave early as with all this rain we may have to swim to the hospital in the morning.

Progress Report, Please

by donr - 2013-06-08 06:06:30

Betts - when are we going to hear from you - we are all holding our breath.

Don

Sorry I took so long

by Betts1963 - 2013-06-09 11:06:28

I came home yesterday. Don -- I went to Fredeicksburg -- at Mary Washington. I'm not a fan of Charlottesville my old neighbor was a hospital inspector and well she gave me enough reason to believe that Mary Washington was a better hospital than people say.

My surgery took an hour longer than expected as they had trouble placing one of the leads. Oh and I let everyone involved in my surgery know I was nervous. Mostly because some made it sound like I would be drowsy not asleep. So I just kept telling them that I didn't want to remember a thing. So they last thing I remember was me telling them the difference between a flood watch and flood warning......then two hours later I woke up to a member of the OR team wearing a Cowboys surgical cap. So my first words when I woke up were.... oh hell a Cowboy fan!

I do feel like I've been punched just under my left collar bone however I know the PM is working. I don't feel it working but I also don't feel the fluttering, the pounding, the fast....slow...you know all those strange feelings I used to have. My slow heart now doesn't drop below 60. I can handle and understand feeling punched but my neck hurts. I can't figure out why it would hurt so bad. It hurts on each side.

My doctor gave me an sling with an immobilizer strap for sleeping which is very helpful.

Thank you for all the support, it means so much!

Congrats - you are now truly one of us

by donr - 2013-06-09 12:06:27

& can start telling Newbies it's a piece of cake!

Wait'll you get to enjoy the secret glee of chuckling to yourself while you type "I TOLD you so" to some new kid on the block who went in scared crapless. Realizing, of course that we are ALL just a bit apprehensive at best.

Remember my comment above about Moby Dick? Sounds like you experienced the challenges of sinking that harpoon! My cardio really got chapped about the tenth time I used the analogy. That's when he grabbed one of his "Doorstop" sized textbooks & showed me what it takes to get the barbs placed well. Moby Dick just laid there in the water while Capt Ahab had his boat rowed up to his side & sunk that harpoon in his flank. Your heart NEVER sits still, the walls are continually moving in & out, back & forth - & you cannot see them - you are using a shadow on a fluoroscope as a guide. Not much 3-D to the image they use.

The space where they go into the subclavian vein is pretty crowded & they are truly hard-pressed to see exactly what they are doing there, either. A lot is done by braille. If it took them more than one try, you could be pretty sore from all the grubbing around they had to do. That's why they gave you pain pills!

Just give that a couple days - after all, you just lost a knife fight to a pro & you were unarmed. Probably took your bike chain away from you before wheeling you into the room, to boot.

Sounds like a typical day in the OR - except for the Cowboy fan in the DC area.

Don

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