Going in Tomorrow for PM & AB :-)

Hi everyone,
I have been following the club for about a month. Reading the good and bad.. Well tomorrow is the day heading in for the removal of the loop monitor,My third ablation and Medronics PM MRI safe.
I have been pretty cool minded about it all until now . I am freeking out. The Dr said it will be a breeze.I have Afib, Vaso Vagle, Brady.
I am a huge gym rat, and have not been up to par for a very long time. HR goes to 35 , then to fast.
I am hoping this will make me feel 100% better and be able to live a good quality of life.
Questions for all of you :
1: How long before I can do normal house stuff?
2) When can I drive:
3) When can i go back to the gym lightly?
4) All I hear about is not moving my arm, I just realized how much I really use my L arm lo.. that is making me really nervous! ?
5) Once its all done will i be able to use my phone and PC in the hospital? or will i be out of it.

I wish all of you the very best and much health and happiness and a wonderful holiday!

Cindyredd

10 Comments

Best of luck

by Bostonstrong - 2013-12-15 01:12:58

And keep us posted

Good luck

by Marianyork - 2013-12-15 05:12:02

I am 4 weeks out from PM insertion, like you I was very nervous, prior and found this site just before going to hospital. Unfortunately I must have read all the things that went wrong to people which made me even more nervous. BUT I must say this site has saved me from many trips back to ER. There is such a lot of good advise here and make you feel you are not alone. I had terrible trouble with my shoulder after the op, not sure what it actually was, Dr suggested that wires were close to nerves and it would settle, I felt that is was more a rota cuff tear from being stretched out on the table ( am a nurse) so felt I knew the pain from nursing people with it. Anyway it has settled a lot, still aches a bit occasionally but much much better than it was post operatively . PM site is great and I am getting used of it being in my chest, each day is better, absolutely no bruising so I was very lucky. Hope all goes well for you and remember that first day when you are feeling "why did I do this" it's 4 weeks since mine and I wondered why I didn't do it years ago when the doctors suggested. Instead have struggled with heart block all that time.. All the best
Maz

All great advice

by ohiolaura - 2013-12-15 05:12:43

Especially from Don,who was a major savior for me,when I found this site,with no PM info at all.
I went back to work 10 days after surgery,I am a hairdresser/nail tech by trade.
I wasn't allowed to lift the left arm,PM side,for 6 weeks,above the shoulder,so I listened.Didnt lift more than 5 lbs with the same side also,all good there.
Drove at 10 days I think,maybe sooner,but was good there too.Used a small towel inbetween the seatbelt strap and me,for cushioning which worked fine,as the strap is on the PM side when I drove.Worked for me.
I too was working out a lot when the wiring went haywire,I think it was about 10 days to 2 weeks and I started walking at my local rec center,sitting on a bike and slowly peddling,which was fine for me.
I waited til I saw the EP,6 weeks after surgery for the green light on the full workout.He gave me the go ahead,and from then on,I started back,slowly but increasing daily.
That was good for me also.
Sadly,the house didn't clean itself for me,so the dishes didn't interfere with my Doc's orders,and the vaccuming,I used my right arm,which was my usual,and that was good.
I followed what my Dr said,and was good,but that's just me,and my situation.
You are somewhat more fortunate in being able to get info and advice beforehand,knowing more of what to expect.
I went in blind,had 5 days in hospital to wait and trust,which I did both,and came home in a fog,and feeling very scared and ignorant.
I don't feel like that anymore,havent in a long time,much of that is due to getting advice here,and believing in positive thinking.
I am back to full work outs,5 days a week minimum,have been for a long time now,and feeling amazing!!
You'll be there too,follow instructions,ask questions,and stop by here when needed.
Good luck with the surgery,and I also have the MRI Medtronics PM.
Laura

Thank you " Wonderful Friends"

by cindyredd - 2013-12-15 08:12:22

I can not thank all of you enough for sharing your wonderful valued information with me! " Thank you "

I am a go getter full speed ahead, kinda of gal... I am thinking positive more nersouse for my poor hubby 20 years my Sr and my mom I am a caregiver to, they are a wreck.
I have been feeling so crummy for the past 2 years I a almost excited that I hopefully will feel like my old self.

I will try and be good, I must say I have laughed hard at allot of your PM messages to me , as some of you are not good listeners as well , I am a vacuum freek lol.. actually I am getting ready to do it now since no one else will volunteer at my house :-)

I am soo going to miss working out , how soon can ride the bike? that will work.

I will try and be a good girl ;-) , But I must sneak my pad and phone in the room.

I will post to all of you tomorrow , and also will read the newbie posts as suggested.

Again thank you all for your wonderful insight to my new adventure tomorrow and I wish all of you a wonderful holiday!

Best to all
Cynthia

cindy...

by lubro - 2013-12-15 10:12:00

I'm sure you will hear from more experienced members, but just realize a few things... each of us heals differently...just try not to stress about what you read... it's quite normal to be worried about these issues, but try not to stress over them...the "left arm" thing seems to be a big concern at first...I remember, shortly after implant, I woke up one morning and stretched... left arm going right up over my head... I freaked... pulled that arm down quickly, and hoped that I hadn't yanked wires loose ... but nothing happened, and I realized that you just need to take things slowly and allow your self to heal... driving, going to the gym, house work... these are things that you should be able to pick up where you left off... after you've given yourself time to heal...take it slow at first...but mostly, try not to stress...take care... good luck... hopes this helps...

Hi

by Moner - 2013-12-15 11:12:20

Hi Cindy,

Like Libro said, try NOT to stress out about this, it's fairly a routine procedure for an EP.

You'll receive a list of things to avoid.

As for exercise, you should have no problem, just avoid lifting you arm above the shoulder for 6 weeks.

I was out jogging 5 days after the procedure,

Take care, and let us know.

Moner
>^,,^<

Many here to help

by KAG - 2013-12-15 11:12:42

If you've been lurking on this site hopefully you've done searches for newbies or new to this. There are loads of posts.

As lubro said, we all heal differently. They'll give you instructions when you leave the hospital. The big thing about not raising your site side arm above your shoulder or putting it behind your back is to allow the wires to set in. Every DR seems to give slightly different instructions, but most seem to restrict arm movement and how much weight you can lift with that arm to 3 to 4 weeks. However that doesn't mean not to use it. You need to move and use that arm so you don't get frozen shoulder. Listen to your body, it will tell you if you're pushing it to hard.

I wore the sling only at night for a few nights. For me I took it pretty easy for the first week. Yes I hurt but as Don says, I had been cut open (His "some tough love for newbies" is a good read) and needed time to heal. I drove 4 days after implant. My PM is on the left and with an automatic I didn't have to move my left arm much. I put a cloth over the site to pad the seat belt. At the end of a week I was doing household chores, maybe slower, but doing them. At 2 weeks I got back on my exercise bike. I'd say by 6 weeks I was pretty much doing my normal activities. Then it was getting stamina back after sitting around for months when my bradycardia came on suddenly.

Get back to your normal activities as soon as possible. Again, listen to your body, I'm sure it will tell you if you're pushing to hard. Also, I think it's good to get to know your device. Get a copy of the interrogation report. It will have the modes and setting for your device. There are many on this site who can help with any questions you might have. Sometimes the settings they use need to be tweaked to support you. Very simple for them to do.

As for using devices, so far I haven't found any issues with phones, computers, house or yard equipment. Any lists on restrictions usually will be very conservative and are CYA lists. The most common advice seems to be to not put anything within 6 inches of your device, but even that can be conservative. The first time I used anything I usually started out slow. Like the leaf blower. I sat it on a table, turned it on and slowly approached it. Didn't feel any different so put it on and went to work. If you do find something that makes you feel funny just move away from it.

Remember to ask questions, lots of folks here to help you.

All the best and keep us posted on how you're doing.
Kathy

I'm gonna help you out...

by donr - 2013-12-15 12:12:50

...First of all, go to the SEARCH function, top right corner of this page. Enter "Some Tough Love for Newbies" (Omitting the quote marks.

I took time out for breakfast, so if this seems repitive, so be it...

Read it. It will put a lot of what will happen to you in some sort of perspective.

Yes, it will be a breeze.........for the surgeon. He/she hasn't the foggiest idea how you will react & recover.

Another BUT (& this is a BIG BUT, but not as big a butt as the one we all collectively sit on) - Napoleon once said (Ca 1806) "In battle, the mental is to the physical as three is to one," Old Bonaparte was correct for all that is about to befall you. Go in expecting the worst & psyching your self up for it to be that way & it will. Go in prepared for the worst, but expecting the best & You will do just fine.

The best to you.

Don

Recovery still in hospital

by cindyredd - 2013-12-17 02:12:56

Hi everyone I am on my cell in the hospital room so I hope you can read it
I made it ok !!? Will post all about it when I get home for some reasons I cannot log in on my tab. It hurts like the dickens..

Cynthia

Back From Outerspace

by cindyredd - 2013-12-19 07:12:04

Hi Everyone,

Well I am back finally from outer space. I would have wrote earlier but the general anesthesia they gave me well lets just say is was not a pretty site and I forgot how to speak English and me nice .

My hospital stay was a true nightmare, never again there, was the first time at that crazy place, The surgery went well I have a wonderful doctor. That being said.

I have quite a bit of pain, ( I know Don :-) allot more than I thought, have just been taking advil all day as I am still really loopy from the drugs.

I can not get in a good position in bed i feel like i have a 10 pound weight that is going to fall out of my chest. My mouth is cut on the inside and my throat hurts .. waaaaaaaa..

But I have soooooo much energy... OMG, I could go a 10k run right now if I was not in so much pain.

I almost hit the trifeta, He did the EP study first but fell short this time finding the fast beat to ablate. They took out the loop monitor and it showed HR in 35 ,40,32, 150 ,180

They put in the Medtronics MRI safe and did std settings 72 low 150 high. Dule chamber. I did have the Medtronics guy as you requested :-) , give me a full print out of my new friend which I have yet to name. I am not sure of the settings but boy and I going fast.
I am so use to feeling my heart pounding I do not feel anything now, kinda freaking me out.

I am already a issue with my left arm its like scrunched up I am trying to move it all over gently to keep it mobile , and my shoulder and top of the back feels like I got hit with a hammer.

Just before I went under I looked and was talking to my Dr's team, they all looked like rugby players, big guys and I thought I am in trouble lol.. They were not gentle that is sure ..

But I feel sooo much better, I can think better, I can breath better, I do not need a nap, wow it like I dont belong to me anymore. Its kind of strange. But in a good way.

I will read more if I can find the link on the settings, he has it on when needed now, most of the stuff is turned off. I am not sure if 72 is to high after being at 55 most of the time.

I am so glad I found all of you before I went in , It made me much calmer when I woke up and got home . So again I THANK YOU ALL .. I will post to you on my wonderful hospital say its quite funny or scary under the proper post.
all of you will get a kick out of it ..

Oh and my hands are actually warm for the first time in 15 years my hubby is sooo happy ...

Going to pop some advill and figure out what not to do and what to do today i am still freaked out about the ARM.. do not move the arm....


I hope all of you are well .. talk soon

Cynthia



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