Help: After surgery issues and questions?

Hello all,

I just recently had my third pacemaker implanted, the exact date: August 14th 2013. Before my device was implanted, it was not working correctly; the device, in order to conserve energy, dropped to its emergency power source. My device is set to pace at 95 but then it was pacing at 65. Needless to say, I was exhausted; mentally and physically drained. I got the new device implanted and went back to the doctor; he said the everything looked good and there was no sign of infection. I explained that I have been deep breathing more and that I didn't know if it was working liked it was before the surgery... Meaning that I didn't know if the pacemaker was working like it should. They did an EKG and it came up normal and that the device was working. However I am having trouble sleeping because at night, I don't know if my heart is having palpitations... But it feels loud; I don't know how to explain it well. I do know that I can feel it beating... Almost like the pacemaker beating and my heart beats aren't the same.

The doctor wasn't concerned, because the EKG came back normal. I didn't tell him the bit about why I was having trouble sleeping. He just thought that I was getting used to the device.

Another issue that I'm having is that one stop near the incision site, is very tender: painful to the touch. I know that it hasn't been that long since my surgery, but I was wondering if that was normal?

Can someone explain what Pocket Infection is? My doctor looked at the incision, and said it was not infected... Can a Pocket Infection not be seen by the doctor? My post-op was a week after the surgery.

Just looking for some needed advice! :)

1 Comments

Follow-Up question

by PacerRep - 2013-08-26 12:08:47

You said you had your thrid device implanted....did they change the wires or re-use them? If they kept the same wires the only thing I can think of is your either experiencing PMT or for some reason you are pacing with your bottom wire when you weren't before. I'd ask to see the pacing percentages for A and V.

Pocket infections vary, tenderness post op is normal. Typically you will see one or all of the following

Soreness
Redness/inflammation
Fluid build up
Errosion of the skin
Pus at the incision
Low grade fever
Unexplained "night sweats"
Unexplained weight loss

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

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