Just got my PM two days ago. Surprise.

Hi, my name is Danielle. I am 25 years old and just received my first pacemaker two days ago (10/28/13). It was an emergency surgery and wasn't expected on my part. I knew a pacemaker was a possibility in my future after having two ablations, just wasn't expecting it Monday. I went in to my EPs office to discuss some results of a heart monitor and next thing I know I'm being told my heart is stopping for more then 6 seconds at a time along with being in junctional rhythm almost always. I was told to go straight to the hospital and they'd get the pacemaker in ASAP.
Non of this has completely sunk in yet. I got home yesterday. I'm in lots of pain (i can feel the PM rubbing against the skin, incision, muscle and chest bone) but just want to go back to my normal routine. I'm planning on going to work this evening and see how it is. I teach ballroom dancing so I will have to be careful with my left arm. I also have two very active sons. Luckily they are old enough to do small things for themselves so they can "help" mommy out a bit.
Anyone on here for a PM after ablations for IST?

Looking forward to getting to talk to everyone on here.
Thanks,
Danielle

11 Comments

IST ablations & pacemaker

by golden_snitch - 2013-10-30 01:10:33

Hi!

I have had permanent sinus node reentry-tachycardia, similar to IST, and had four ablations for that. I got the pacer after the third ablation. Don't know anyone with sinus tachycardia and ablations who hasn't ended up with a pacemaker.

With all that pain and the limitation that you should not move your left arm above shoulder level, I'd probably not teach dancing lessons just two days after the implant. Give your body and yourself some time to rest and recover. It wasn't a big surgery, but still, the site needs time to heal.

Best

Inga

Understand ...

by ItsmeWayne - 2013-10-30 02:10:15

Hi Danielle,
The pacemaker is the smaller issue. The leads are screwed into your heart muscle and need time to heal into the muscle. Pulling them out, will not be a good thing and could be life threatening. Call you doc and ask him about this. I am sure he will caution you on this very important issue.
Ballroom dancing... really, you need to use your head with this! You don't want it to become a death dance!

I hope you heal quickly (a couple of weeks at least) and you will be back to yourself again.
Itsme Wayne

caution

by judyblue - 2013-10-30 10:10:19

Danielle:
I know you are young and eager to get back to work, but be careful!! I went back after 10 days and that was too soon. (I teach high school). I am still in pain after 5 weeks. Also, my ventricle lead may not be taking.
I agree with advice here to ask your doctor. Call the office and get an answer. Don't deprive your body of the recovery it needs.
Judy

Recovery

by Dcapelli - 2013-10-30 10:10:57

My doctor said that most people can go back to work two days after the surgery. He said most people won't because of the pain, but the heart can handle it. I am taking it "easy" and not using my left arm. My PM settings will need adjusting and the sooner we figure out what my body needs the better on the road to recovery. I wouldn't put myself in harms way. The doctor gave the ok and just warned me about the pain and tiredness. To some degree sitting at home and recovering would be bad for my mental health because then I may get sad and upset that all this happened.

hi Danielle

by Pcwhit - 2013-10-30 11:10:12

Welcome. It takes a while to recover. I felt my pm for a few weeks it has to set into your body. Watch your arm be careful. Everything will he fine.

Thanks

by Dcapelli - 2013-10-30 11:10:42

Thanks for the quick reply:-) ill take it easy to help with recovery. I look forward to not feeling the PM.

PM Implant

by gleesue - 2013-10-30 12:10:31

Danielle,

With IST your heart goes to fast. You got the pacemaker because your heart was going 6 seconds between heart beats. I've had every arrhythmia you can come up with but the last time I got cardioverted my heart started going 6-10 seconds between heart beats. They rushed me up to the Cleveland Clinic and the next day I got my PM.

Ablations can slow down the heart, I've had 4, and that probably caused your extended heart beats. But welcome to the club. You will get lots of thoughts and advice here. I Might suggest that you wait a few more days before you start using your arm too much however.

Finally. I felt mine moving for a while. It was really weird when I started playing golf again. But I don't even know it's there anymore.

Good luck,

Jerry

Awww....wee little men!

by IdyGal - 2013-10-31 02:10:04


Hi Danielle and welcome! I am so jealous of you! I had three boys and they are all 24 to 32 and I am missing the wee little guys. My soft pink boys turned into grown men with jobs, wives, and their own little guys.

Having said that....girl, slow down! Give your body this time to heal. I realize how automatic it is to do certain things...espec with kids...but the best thing you can do for your kids is to take care of yourself. If you need to get back to work because of finances then wear that sling as a reminder not to lift your arm. (also, wearing the sling is a visual for other people not to bump into you during your daily activities. People do tend to give you a bit more room.) Seriously tho....now is the time to be gentle with yourself. Tearing out a lead isn't fun. By laying low now you create the best opportunity for that lead(s) to really attach well. I just had a 2-yr old PM replace with a defibrillator and it was way too easy for my surgeon to pull out a lead and I had always been careful! It hadn't 'scarred in' as much as expected.

If you can afford the time off, take it. Not worth creating a problem when you have so much to live for!

give it time

by jbjlll - 2013-10-31 11:10:33

I had first PM installed in 2003 and second installed last year. Have not had any problems with either. Just take it easy for awhile if you can and let it all heal. The only problem or discomfort I have experienced is some annoyance when driving because the seatbelt rubs across the pacemaker. Also have some occasional itching or burning-nothing more. Most time don't even know I have it. Travel extensively all over world and have not ever had a problem. Also walk several miles a day. So you will be able to resume almost all normal activities. Hope this helps.

use a pad

by BillMFl - 2013-11-01 12:11:19

For a couple bucks you can get a sheepskin cover that Velcro's onto your seatbelt strap. I have one in each of my vehicles! So much more comfortable and no rubbing.

Thanks everyone

by Dcapelli - 2013-11-01 12:11:48

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll be trying to take it a bit more easy. Still in pain and trying to get used to having the device dig into my chest bone and rub against me.

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.