New to pacemaker

Hi all I have just been advised I need a pacemaker in the next few weeks and forgive me for my ignorance but apart from reading the booklet they gave me a few days ago I don't really know what to expect and how this will effect me , thanks for reading I appreciate any advise !

3 Comments

The good news

by Good Dog - 2016-05-09 11:05:27

The good news is that getting a PM is pretty quick and easy surgery. The better news is that living with a PM should not slow you down at all. In fact, it should speed you up (depending upon your current condition). I have had a PM for 30 years and honestly, it has had no negative impact on my life whatsoever. Obviously, there is the minor inconvenience of getting it checked periodically and battery changes every 10 years. With the latest technology, the periodic checks are really quick and mostly done from home. The battery changes are out-patient and only take a half day.
So after you get your PM you'll have a little over a month of of easy recovery (they won't want you to raise you arm above your head for about a month). It takes a few months to completely heal, but you'r feel really good after the first couple of weeks. Then you just get on with your life. You really can live as though you don't have a PM. There isn't much, if anything that it wil prevent you from doing. So go out and enjoy your life..................
Sincerely,

David

easiest surgery I've ever had

by techiej - 2016-05-10 07:05:44

Over the past 2 years I've had 7 procedures and the PM was the easiest one by far. Checked in the AM, procedure before noon and was out the next morning after breakfast.

While I was unconscious there was no general anesthesia (just an injection) so recovery was much easier & simpler.

The entire procedure took 70 minutes and right after they woke me up they took x-rays and then fed me lunch.

Have felt 100% better since the PM - at least with regard to energy and ability to exercise...now just have to deal with some other, unrelated on-going issues.

I agree with good dog

by hawaiilad - 2016-05-10 09:05:55

I have had my PM for about 7 weeks and there isn't much I did before I can't do now. I gave up lifting those 90 bags of cement and the stack of 2x4's...but at 71 I really don't wish to do that anyway. I am still a little sore under the skin. I tried swimming but decided to wait awhile for that.

I am a wood worker and spend nearly part of every day working in my shop with out a problem....feel much better about everything since my heart is not beating at 30 BPM and longer so I have a lot more get up an go

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.