how is the recovery after second device implanted

My husband will have his PM/Defib replaced with a new one this Thursday. Will he feel as good as he felt when he got the first one in?
He has slowed down quite a bit more than I ever thought he would. His dementia do to the strokes has not helped him.

Anyone else suffering from dementia do to stokes and or very low BP/P?
A concerned wife. Thanks for listening.

3 Comments

replacements

by Tracey_E - 2013-08-20 03:08:12

Replacements are super easy! If the leads are good, then all they do is go in the same place, pop out the old one, test the leads then hook up the new one. Most of the restrictions the first time were from the new leads, none of that this time. Most of the soreness the first time was from creating the pocket to hold the device, none of that this time either. It's just waiting for the incision to heal, nothing to it! I'm on #4. If I get an early appointment, I'm home fixing my own lunch.

What heart meds is he on? Many of them, esp the beta blockers, lower bp as a side effect. Maybe the dosage needs adjusted?

I'll tell you a story, no idea if your husband is in the same situation but I'll tell you the story anyway ;) My grandma had dementia, progressively got worse over several years after a series of small strokes. We blamed the strokes. She was on meds for bp, cholesterol, arthritis, strokes and I forget what else. When it was time eventually to move her to Hospice, we stopped all the meds except the ones that made her comfortable. Within a couple of days, I had my grandma back, her mind was clear for that last month. I guess my point is different drs add meds to a patient's regimen and sometimes no one is looking critically at the full list to see if that's part of the problem. That doesn't mean you can just stop the meds, but it's something to be aware of and try to minimize.

Same Page with Tracy

by Jim_Ed - 2013-08-20 05:08:10

I couldn't have said it better myself. I will add one thing about my replacement back in Oct 2011. Apparently my first PM had some issues, because When I received my 2nd, I felt a lot better. Possibly because the new one would automatically speed up with my current activity or whatever I may have been doing. I also will agree with the Med's Tracy mentioned. But, here, nearly two years later, I have to walk a fine line with my meds. If I get them out of synch, I have problems with POTS, or eg; Blackouts anytime anywhere. I wish the best for y'all.

Thank you

by llee - 2013-08-21 10:08:01

Thank you for your responses. Sometimes it is nice to know I am just being listened to. He has his diagnosis fro a neuropsychologist so I feel confident about that. My husband is only 57 years old. He can think out how to do something but when it comes time to actually putting thoughts and actions together that is where there is the disconnect is. Many Vets are coming back from serving with Frontal Temporal Degeneration.
God bless you all!

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