No Meds

Hello, Today is day one after having my 2nd PM replaced with a shiny new Medtronic. Since my husband is unable to drive, I insisted on having it done without any kind of pain medication or sedation. I was given .25 xanax during pre-op and was fully awake during the procedure. While I can't say this is the answer for everyone, it did work for us. PM replaced at 4pm and I was home eating a Cuban sandwich from my favorite restaurant (take out of course) at 730pm.

3 Comments

No exception in the Netherlands...

by sherida - 2014-10-11 05:10:18

I hope you are doing well with this pacemaker!
In the Netherlands pacemaker implantations and device changes are usually done with local anaesthesia only. Except in children.
As I understand from your posting this is not the usual procedure in the U.S.?
Anyway, glad to hear that it went the way you wanted

No Meds

by wanderlost - 2014-10-11 06:10:42

I think it may be different, depending on what area of the US you are in. My two previous PM's were done with local anesthesia (1992 and 2001) . I am now living in Florida where this was done at a teaching hospital. My physician commented that PM replacement without sedation was practiced in the "dark ages". I sometimes wonder if this change is driven by the drug companies.

I want the Cubano

by Griddlebone - 2014-10-12 09:10:25

I've heard lots of people say they had their procedure with local only. I had sedation but was more or less awake and communicating through the procedure.

I can't find a good Cuban sandwich here and that is what stood out in your post to me. Says a lot about my state of mind, huh?!

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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