I join tomorrow

Hello,

It's 22:45 in Scotland and tomorrow I join the club. Wish me luck.

12 Comments

New Member

by Sylvia1 - 2015-11-22 11:11:31

Wish you well for tomorrow.This club has been a great support to me since got my ICD and you get advice and support from people who know what you are going through.

Best of luck

by admin - 2015-11-22 11:11:34

Please let us know how you make out.

Blake

Good luck

by Mona - 2015-11-23 01:11:58

Good luck. You are going to be very happy with your "new battery operated parts". Give it a little time and you will be feeling so much better.

Best Wishes

by paced57 - 2015-11-23 06:11:26

Good luck to you, its not all that bad, I'm on my second pacer now. I am actually more active now.
Aloha

Thanks

by rbowie - 2015-11-23 06:11:27

Thanks everyone. The procedure went really well. I was the first patient of the day and as a result I got home at 4pm.

I'm a little tired and a little sore but a lot better than I was expecting.

The hospital ARI (aberdeen hospital) were first class - all the nurses and doctors were just so good.

I've not been brave enough to touch or look at it... That's one for another day.

For your info, the reason for the pacemaker was Vasovagal Syncope (VVS). I have been fainting all my life but got through some periods that are worse than others. For 10 years I was wrongly diagnosed as epeleptic and it was only 4 years ago I was correctly diagnosed. I'm crossing my fingers that the PM will make things better... Time will tell!

I'll try and keep people updated on my progress as I've read these forums for a few months now and found them to be fantastic. Where else could I hear others experiences? Reading the forum made me very relaxed regards today... That's not to say o wasn't anxious when they started wheeling me to surgery.

Thanks everyone.

Well done !

by IAN MC - 2015-11-23 07:11:56

It was great to read that your experience was not that traumatic.

It seems that we are all different! . Like you I returned home on the afternoon of the implant ; my op was at 11.00am and I was allowed to return home at 5.30 pm My actual time away from the ward for the procedure was well under an hour.

Unlike many of the people on here , I didn't need any painkillers, ice-packs , slings, or counselling. I do wonder if the skill of the person doing the implanting is incredibly important in the whole mix.

' Slightly sore " is the strongest term I would use to describe my experience.

I write this for the benefit of those people reading these posts, who are waiting for a PM implant, in case they get a distorted idea about what is "normal" . Some people have a tough time (and they are attracted to this site ) I believe that the vast majority of people don't !

Best of luck

Ian

Welcome !

by IAN MC - 2015-11-23 09:11:32

It's 9.00 in England ( b****y cold it is too ,so it must be freezing where you are ! )

Welcome to the club that none of us wanted to join, The alternative is not that attractive though , so enjoy your new bionic life.

Let us know how you get on

Ian

Getting A Pacemaker

by Good Dog - 2015-11-23 12:11:00

Getting a pacemaker is like being born again. It will give you the opportunity to have a wonderful life you otherwise would not have had.
Best Wishes!

Sincerely,

David

Glad to hear...

by BetsyQ - 2015-11-24 02:11:10

...that all went so well for you and welcome to the club! I ended up in the hospital for several days afterward so it's always encouraging for me to read how well it goes for a lot of people. Four months post implant, I've adapted very well with no pain other than some soreness when I overwork my shoulder area while cleaning, etc. I hope things continue to go so well for you.
Betsy

2 weeks Later

by rbowie - 2015-12-07 01:12:50

Howdy,

I think I'll update this post over the next year to show how things are progressing... I'm hoping it will be interesting to someone in the future reading from day 1 to day 365.

So... that's two weeks since my operations and I have to admit I'm already getting used to the PM. I got the dressing off after 8 days and it didn't need redressed again.

It was pretty weird having my first shower with the dressing off. When my hands swipes over my chest it feels really odd but im getting used to that too as each day passes.

I was back the work the following week (I work at a desk) and I was also driving the following week (In the UK you cant drive within a week after the operation).

So, life is already pretty much as it was before the operation. The only issue at the moment is lifting. That's a pain as I have a little 16 month girl, so mum is having to do a lot more... Its only for a short time. I'm also missing exercise but fully expect to get back into it after my 6 week check up.

I've not had any blackouts since the PM was inserted, but I think its far too early to know if that's a success or not. I'll cross my fingers that's still true this time next year.

6 weeks later

by rbowie - 2016-01-06 07:01:46

Hi,

I'm pleased to report that I thought twice about writing this. I thought twice because now it seems like such a small thing to have occurred in my life. Its only when I remind myself that prior to getting the pacemaker I was desperate for information and I'll stick with updating this thread with that in mind.

I generally stuck to the no lifting / no arm in the air rule for the six weeks. I felt I would be ok a few weeks ago but better safe than. Now I'm feeling very motivated to get back in fitness and become active again. I've been for three runs in the last week and started some light resistance training too, with no issue other than feeling a little less fit than i did 2 months ago... but I'm sure that's down to taking it easy and eating too much over the festive period.

And no syncope's either in the last 6 weeks, maybe still too soon to count my chickens. I have my first check up next week, it will be interesting to hear what my gadget has been doing that I'm not aware of.

Over 3 years now....

by rbowie - 2019-02-15 09:26:23

... and not 1 syncope since I had the pacemaker fitted. 

You know you're wired when...

You know the difference between hardware and software.

Member Quotes

One week has passed and I must admit that each day I feel a little stronger.