Worried..

settings

by Cabg Patch - 2016-10-05 17:21:59

ah, in case you didn't know it's settings. Your doctor set the device to make you downright miserable and nauseaus if you violated his instructions. Guess we know it works...

Seriously, it's likely you over did it, however in your best interests, call the doctor and let him know you've been a bad girl and see what he says. alternatively if you have a home monitor you could do a download to check things.

Overdoing it...

by FaithGrace - 2016-10-05 19:25:25

I feel for you taking care of your little ones while you try to follow your recovery instructions.  That would not be easy! It does sound like you've just over done it and need to rest.  Take it really easy and rest up and I bet you'll feel much better.

My device check tech said that the restrictions were more to prevent the incision from coming open and not so much the leads coming out of place. He said the leads are wrapped around the device and should be fine. (This was at my 1st check about 8 days post op.)  

I agree with Cabg Patch that it would be a good idea to call your Cardo's office and get their advice.  Also - I did not know that our devices were set extra low at first so that we would feel terrible if we over did it!!! I was wondering why mine was set at 40!! I thought that seemed extremely low!!  hmmmm.....  

Common PM setting

by Artist - 2016-10-05 22:22:26

60 BPM is a very common setting for pacemakers.  If your heart rate was usually at 30 BPM before surgery, that is considered to be bradycardia, too low, and typically a PM in implanted to prevent such a slow heart rate.  My PM is set to prevent my HR from falling below 60 BPM. My concern would be if my HR fell below 60 BPM because that could indicate there is a problem.  As time passes and your PM is interrogated on follow up appointments, the low setting could be tweaked.  Some PM club members have their PMs set at 50 BPM.  The most important consideration is how you feel.  It is doubtful that you pulled any leads and it is more likely that your soreness is a result of the stress placed on the incision.  It takes some time for the incision to fully heal and the PM to be fully "rooted" in place in the surgical pocket. Some PM club members recommend icing the incision to relieve that pain as the incision heals and sleeping with pillows on their PM side.  I don't know about the nausea you are feeling and know that alot of flu is going around now.  To relieve your anxiety, it would be a good idea to call your doctor to see what he recommends.  

Odd Location

by monkeyman - 2016-10-06 06:59:21

Your PM is under your arm??? I never heard of such a implantation location as this. Not to sound rude but, that is really a weird location. Might as well have a permanent sling put on your arm so as never to use your arm again. Your cardiologist must have put it there for a good reason. Otherwise, I'd say that he/she never took into account that you actually need to use your arm.

PM Placement

by robinclaire93 - 2016-10-08 23:38:58

Monkeyman, my cardiologist decided to put it slightly under my left arm because I am a 23 year old female. Basically, it was a cosmetic reason. I didn't tell him I would rather have it there, but I did have concerns over it sticking out when I wear tank tops and stuff if it was in the more traditional placement. He said when he is dealing with young females he puts it there to make them feel better about the way it looks. He also uses glue instead of stitches or staples so the scar isn't as noticeable.