PM being fitted

Hi all have finally got a date for my pm being fitted had my pre op today going in on 1st August! Has anyone got any advice for after starting to get nervous all getting bit real? Cheers Ben

4 Comments

What to expect...

by Lurch - 2014-07-22 07:07:11

I checked into the hospital at 5:30am. Went through the paperwork, signed a million forms, paid my co-pay (got to get the money issue up front!), then went to the Cardiac floor.

Once there they took me back to my room. They shaved my chest on both sides (just in case), started an IV and put me in the lovely hospital gown!! Shortly after that the doctor came in and talked to my wife and I.

About an hour later they took me to the room where the procedure would be done. They moved me to another table and gave me the knock out drug. I next thing I knew they were waking me up and telling me everything went fine. Or they might have said that the cow jumped over the moon; I was still pretty out of it!!!

Took me back to my room where my wife was waiting and put me back in bed. Doctor and ICD rep came in about an hour later, did an "interrogation" of my unit (they hold a round device over the PM/ICD that allows them to check everything, doesn't hurt at all).

I had to spend the night, which really sucked, cause there is no way I can sleep in a hospital!!

Next morning they took me down to X-Ray to check the wire and make sure it was OK.

After that, the Doctor came back in again, said thanks for paying for his new car and they sent me home.

The first couple of days I was still tired (combination of no sleep in hospital and the drugs from the surgery) and didn't do much. By the third day my shoulder and chest were sore but I was fine getting up and moving around. Even took the dogs for a short walk.

Some doctors apparently tell you to wear a sling for a couple of weeks to prevent you from lifting your arm above your head (lets the wires set in with some scar tissue). My doctor was upset when he saw me with my arm in a sling the morning following the surgery. Told me to use it only when I sleep to prevent my shoulder from locking up. The limitation on arm movement typically lasts a couple of weeks, but you really should make sure you move the arm at the shoulder, just don't raise it above you shoulder.

Usually within 7-10 days post procedure you will visit the Doctor's office where they will check the incision to make sure it is healing OK (they removed the seri-strips that covered my incision) and check you device again (interrogation).

According to an article in the paper today, 200,000 Americans get this procedure every year so it has become somewhat routine for most hospitals.

You sound like you are stressed and that is understandable. It really, for me, wasn't that big of a deal considering what the device can do for me.

Good luck, take it easy, don't stress (I know, easy to say) and check back to let us know how things are going....

I realize you have a different system "across the pond" but probably won't be too far off from we go through over here!

pretty uneventfull...

by highdesert - 2014-07-22 07:07:14

At least that was my experience. My main concern was not missing the Seatttle Seahawk football game that Sunday. They did a great job and got me back in my room in time for the kickoff! Been 6 months now and i have to remind myself that i even have it... have alot more energy now and able to exercise more than ever. Just take it easy for 6 weeks afterward... no heavy lifting and keep that arm down.

Similar to Lurch

by KAG - 2014-07-23 12:07:28

but mine was done as an out patient. They actually had me walk to the op room after the prep stuff. Maybe saving on wheeled beds? :-)

Guess they used a local, no breathing tube, but I don't remember anything. At the end of the install the Dr said I was now 100% paced in my ventricle. So I went from suddenly (in a few weeks) having 50% AV block to 100%. Good timing on the install I'd say.

They had me propped up in the recovery room. I had to wait for 4 hours (they did let me take restroom breaks when needed and gave me a breakfast that actually was OK). After 4 hours they took an X-ray to make sure all was in place and turned me loose wearing a sling.

I wore the sling for 4 nights only since I tend to raise my arm above my shoulder. Yes I was sore and bruised but those went slowly away. Couldn't sleep on my side for a while but now I can. Gently moved my site side arm below shoulder level as much as felt comfortable. Used ice. My Dr said no heavy lifting or raising arm above shoulder for 6 weeks. I did start to push that at 4 weeks as I felt pretty good.

At about 2-3 weeks I fortunately found this site and started into the adjustment phase of the process.

Kathy

my experience

by culver001 - 2014-07-24 03:07:47

I had to spend the night. my daughter drove me to the hospital (5:30am)on Friday. got checked in. i met the doc that was putting in the device and he asked if i had questions which i did and he was awesome answered them all and told me not to worry he would take excellant care of me. the worse part of that was the IV. i was wheeled down to the procedure room where they then had me get off the bed and walk into the room. i have several horrible memories of this area 1. they place these EXTREMELY cold and i mean COLD things on my back. then they had me lay down which intensifies the cold. they did bring in several warming blankets which helped. 2. its like a twilight they gave me and i came to with what seemed to be the doc standing over me and with all his might shoving something in my upper chest area. i told him to stop it it hurt and he said just go back to sleep it is ok. so i did. 3. their choice of music was not to my taste HA!. The team was awesome they told me everything that was going on while i laid there and waited shaking, freezing and just praying i would survive.
next thing i knew i was in my room with a catheter and my daughter. i was super sore and felt like i had a steamer sized trunk in my chest. i wanted to get up put to move was very painful and my shoulder and neck were killing me. they took the catheter out. i ate and drank and felt better. sleep was tough and i had to use a bed pan due to the fact that i was not allowed to get up till the next day. i did however get myself up to use the bathroom and did ok.
the next day the PM rep came to my room and slowed down and sped up your PM which lucky me i am in the small percentage of people who get really whoozy from this. so hold on to your hat in case you are sensitive to the adjustment also.
then i was released and i went home. was suppose to have help but did it all on my own.
was back to work on monday with restrictions and walked by 80 lb dog on his lease by tuesday.
i followed the docs orders and in 3 months i was back to boxing on a heavy bag. i think in 6 weeks i was back to the gym (limited). Good Luck!!

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