Pacemaker is in.

Well, I received my implant on Monday and so far, so good.  I have a lot better range of motion in my left arm than I expected I would.  I'm definitely sore and I have had some weird thumps now and again.  I'm writing down dates and times to ask at my coming follow up appointment.  So far the most noticeable change is the lack of dizziness when I get up...lol.  Here's hoping that things will heal quickly and remain positive.

Tomorrow I get to take off the bandage (and shower! yay) so I will get to see what the incision site is gonna look like.  I'm nervous to make sure I take care of it well and avoid infection.  They considered going back in the next day because my lower lead is kinda tight/taut, but they said my numbers were all great and the xray showed it is attached well, so they've just asked me to add a couple extra weeks of not raising my arm over my head.

Reading everyone's stories here was pretty reassuring (for the most part).  This forum is a great resource!

4 Comments

Congratulations!

by Lurch - 2016-07-14 10:41:49

And welcome to the World of the Electronically Enhanced!  Glad to hear it all went well.  Hope you thoroughly enjoy your shower!!!

Weird thumps

by Bostonbionic - 2016-07-15 15:35:06

Most of us had them too. If they are keeping you awake  ask to have all self tests off or find out if yours is doing its checks at certain times. Sometimes lower heart rate setting and delay ventricle pacing reduces this.

here everyone tries to help each other. This site has been great support for us all.

Shower wasn't that great...

by SaraToga - 2016-07-16 18:57:30


too much worrying about avoiding the spray to really enjoy the shower!  lol 

I think I definitely have a test that happens every night from 12:35 to 12:36 am.  This NEEDS to be turned off if possible.  That seems to be right about the time I usually start falling to sleep then all the sudden my heart rate ramps up to 85-90 bmp and I feel almost sick to my stomach.  Makes it kinda hard to get to sleep for awhile after that!

I've also noticed I am having some dizziness again, not sure what that might be about.  Any thoughts from you long timers?  Can having the rate too high make you dizzy?  I'm not sure what they have my bottom set at and I can't tell when I'm pacing.

They mentioned in the hospital that they were going to tweak the settings to limit ventricular pacing as much as possible, though I'm not sure what that really means...lol.

I appreciate the feedback from the folks on here, hopefully one day I'll be expert enough to offer help to the noobs too.  :)

Sara

Self tests

by monkeyman - 2016-07-24 13:18:50

Your pacemaker should have the self test time adjusted. Mine, in the beginning, went off religiously between 330 am and 400 am. When I finally got in to see my cardiologist, have the pm adjusted, l finally slept and continue to sleep, all through the night. 

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

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