Questions about PM

Just got a PM yesterday at the age of 35 and was really depressed about it until i stumbled upon this site. The reason for getting it was my heart was stopping and i was passing out, while driving on the interstate and then during the tilt table test my heart stopped for 13secs and they had trouble waking me back up.

The questions i have is how long post op does the pain start to subside. And how fast can you get back to normal activitey minus of course the arm raising.

The reason i ask is my father n law died the day before the surgery so we are going to have to drive to texas next week, bout a 9 hour drive, my wife has severe spinal problems that limit her driving ability so i was hoping to get an idea of what kind of shape i will be in.

Normally i have a very high tolerance to pain but i am finding i am in a pretty good amount of pain and tightness around the incision, which is on my left side right below my cleveical.

Thanks in advance for any pointers or info

4 Comments

SO

by jeanlancour - 2013-06-19 08:06:52

have only a pacemaker? That makes the difference, I had a pacemaker implanted and was driving with no problems the next week. Sparrow has a lot to contemplate there if you have a defibrillator. You really need to talk to your cardio team ( EP and cardio Dr.) That's a long trip. Best of luck Jean

its a dual chamber pm

by jrclancyjr - 2013-06-19 10:06:54

Just a pacemaker....and my cardio team said i was good to start driving when i feel up to it, thats why i was asking about the pain.

pacemaker pain

by KathyB - 2013-06-19 11:06:20

I had pain for about 10 days after the pm insertion, mostly due to incision. I was driving after 2 weeks (doc said 4) but was back to full time nurse duties at 4 weeks. But long trip may be difficult if you are the only driver. Is your wife able to drive maybe an hour so you can take a break yourself. Good Luck, you have to decide what is best for you. I am sure the family would understand if you couldn't make it. Truthfully an ice pack really helps the discomfort and when you are sitting to rest your arm on a pillow.

woke up today

by jrclancyjr - 2013-06-20 10:06:24

And most of the pain has subsided, today it is this burning pain right where the pacemaker is...which i am quessing is the inflammation that comes with having a foreign object in your body.

Kathy yes she can drive for an hour to give me a break and i have been using frozen peas 15 min on, 15 min off...it has keep the swelling down alot.

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