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Ok looks like my emotions are starting to get the better of me!
3 weeks post op yesterday. I feel so sad and also angry. When am I going to get my energy back? I was very active and now the least little thing wears me out.
Also, I feel like this PM is up high on my chest. Can not even wash my hair!
I am not usually a negative person but I feel like my life has changed forever. Do not go to pacemaker clinic till Sept 29th
Think I need a day with the girls!

10 Comments

Give it time....

by Sue H. - 2014-07-15 01:07:58

What you are going through is normal. Give yourself time and try and focus on the positive, the little energizer bunny in your chest is now taking care of you. It is your internal guardian angel.

Yes go out with your friends and have fun. Angry Sparrow is right on with the advice. Get out of the house and keep active. You will feel better.

Sue

Keep busy

by TPMan - 2014-07-15 03:07:43

Hiya Heartthrob,

We are about the same timeframe, I had my PM installed on June 20th. Not sure why you don't see the tech until September, I saw mine after ten days, then I am on a three month schedule. My settings seemed fine for now but next visit I will get on a treadmill and they will check my response to exercise.

If you can, see if you can get an appointment now rather than later for peace of mind.

I have been walking 20 to 30 mins a day and it seems to be getting better each day, I would really advise getting as active as possible as you will feel better and the device adapts to your movements.

I can't share your issue with hair washing, a guy has it easier, but you can do quite a bit with one hand, I wash my hair with one hand and a hand attachment in the shower, works well. You can dry it bent over, just be careful using the left arm, not extending too much. I am trying to make a game out of learning to do things slowly and differently than before. Just takes more time.

Keep your chin up
Tim

Sore

by @Heartthrob - 2014-07-15 04:07:06

Should I be feeling some soreness in my chest to right of PM?

Friends

by @Heartthrob - 2014-07-15 04:07:09

Went out to lunch with my friends then stopped t see the new house they are building. It did wonders for me! I think I expect too much too soon and need to be patient
My PM also sits up high to the collarbone.

appointment

by Shell - 2014-07-15 04:07:22

First, I'm surprised you don't have an appointment until the end of the September. If you can't even go for short walks without feeling tired I would call the office and say you want to be seen now. They may need to do adjustments.

I had my pm replaced on July 2. (my 3rd one) I had a new lead put in so I have the restrictions also. I saw the pm tech last Thursday and go again the end of the month. Then it will be 2 months.

Last week my kids were away so my husband and I went out a few time alone.Yesterday was the first day I drove because summer school started and I had to go back work. This one feels higher on my chest and closer to my arm pit than my other 2 did. I'm just hoping once it settles it will be better. (I find putting my deodorant on the opposite side the hardest) I just wash my hair with one hand. I'm also lazy and don't dry it. (too hot to now anyway) I am putting it in low ponytails (talking my time) because it's too hot not too and those I don't need to raise my arm up high. (my hair is a few inches below my shoulders)

Definitely get our with friends and enjoy yourself. Hope you feel better soon.

Tech

by @Heartthrob - 2014-07-15 04:07:29

I did see a tech about a week after procedure. They just looked at the area and told me to not lift left arm over head. I am trying to be active, walking and doing things around the house. My appt in September is when they check the pacemaker. I feel fine, just a little tender in the chest to the right of the PM.
I am just in disbelief that I have a PM . I. The long run I am sure I will adjust

Girl power

by Gotrhythm - 2014-07-15 04:07:32

Hair was an issue for me. Mine needs washing every day. It really does. And my PM is also high on my chest. My chest is very small, matching the rest of me, and the PM takes up a lot of room, relatively speaking. When I raise my left arm fully, the PM touches my collar bone.

Here's how I washed my hair (after the first week) without raising my arm past my shoulder. I leaned over the tub, and brought my head to my hands. A hand held shower thingy would have been great but I didn't have one. I rinsed by putting my head under the tub spigot.

If I had it to do over again, I would get the shower thingy. They are not expensive and require no special tools.

But hair or not, what made the difference in learning to adapt to my new normal was my girl friends. They assured me I looked better. And I did. I might still be weak as a kitten, but I LOOKED better. And they laughed with me, and were willing to listen to every detail, several times.

Okay, you're in the dumps now. If your hair doesn't look good, it's hard to feel good. But you've got the right idea. Call those girl friends. Share with them. Let them be there for you.

Studies about recovery and longevity have repeatedly shown that the women who do best have a strong FEMALE support system.

Sore

by @Heartthrob - 2014-07-15 05:07:38

Tim
I when I went to my first doctors appointment the did not check my leads. I called pacemaker clinic to see if they would move my appointment t up . They told me it takes 3 months for the leads to secure themselves snd they could not check me till then. Told me if I go hi ur to be sore to call my doctor. I sm not red or swollen so I assume I pulled a muscle or slept on my left side.
I appreciate site your journey and sharing with me
I am not usually a depressed person so I will pull myself up snd look forward to my future.
Stay in touch. My best to you

Sore, tech postings

by TPMan - 2014-07-15 05:07:44

They should have checked your PM on first visit to make sure leads were ok and that your settings were good, did they do that? If they did not, go back, it only takes a few minutes.

My incision site is still a little sore but I find some ice helps and an over the counter medicine if you need for pain. If the device is moving or something or is very painful, again, back to the docs. I expect this will hurt for another month. I also expect when I start working out and playing golf at six week to have some initial pain and I tear some of the sac tissue.

As far as the mental side, that's a little tricky. My issues are with family who now seem to think I am some type of invalid and I don't intend to be. I expect to be better than I was. I'm about a year younger than you and expect another 25 to thirty years of life. Without the PM, I doubt I would live a few more years as my SSS was a real issue the last few months with my heart in the 20"s and 30's.

I can understand the disbelief, I was otherwise ok and passed all the other heart tests fine, in fact I could not get my cardiologist to issue and order for a Halter monitor , had to go back to my GP and he ordered. I was surprised but wanted to face this head on (which you did too)

I would just offer one more piece of advice, if this is really weighing on you, go talk to a professional, don't let the days pile up feeling bad, do something.

Again, let me know if you want to compare notes further

Regrds
Tim

Sore

by TPMan - 2014-07-15 08:07:48

Hi again,

I was told that the leads are secure in six weeks, a good reference is the Cleveland Clinic as well for post op. Are you wearing a sling to sleep? I stopped using mine at three weeks but I sleep with an arm over my head so I made a simple sling with a piece of clothesline and two slip knots, just tied to my knee and wrist. I was told not to raise arm over head for six weeks so being careful on that issue.

Give it a few days fir the soreness and they the ice thing. I would still ask for a tech to check the PM

Tim

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!