Post surgery

Pain meds

by AgentX86 - 2018-07-12 23:02:36

I'm not sure what you mean by "can't have any".  Does that mean you can't have opiates, like Oxy?  What about the anasthesia? Local or general?

When they implanted my pacemaker, last February, I was awake during the entire procedure (including AV node ablation). They gave me a local in my groin and chest and something to take the "edge off" but otherwise, nothing.  Without the locals, it wouldn't have been good but as it was, making the pocket hurt some but the rest was a big nothing.  That night, the nurses almost forced me to take a pain killer (probably Oxy) and sent me home with a prescription for a week or so.  I didn't take any.  No need.  I wasn't completely without pain but it felt sorta like a sunburn.  I don't like Oxy so didn't take any of them.  For me, the whole odeal was a big nothing.  Actually, since I was alert during the whole thing, I found it to be rather interesting.

Pain

by Bostonstrong - 2018-07-12 23:20:16

I took only Tylenol in the hospital, had some minor discomfort and Tylenol helped. I did take a low dose narcotic for the pot hole riddled drive home but could prob have just used Tylenol again. It normal to have anxiety about surgery but once it's done I think you will feel relieved.

Thanks

by Celeste67 - 2018-07-12 23:37:31

I’ve had 2 ablations both times I was awake with just a local anesthesia and only needed Tylenol at home. And yes I’m highly allergic to all opiates. (Had 2 c-sections with zero pain meds) so I do have a high tolerance. Just concerned with the incision and any pain in that area. I just want to feel better and I’m hoping th PM does the job.

Thanks for the advice   

different for me

by bluevelvetcake - 2018-07-13 07:34:38

I am posting my experience because I went in hearing how "easy" this surgery was and how all I needed was a few Tylenol for a few days and I'd be good, especially since I am younger. (43.) My surgeon said that and the Internet said that. 

I also have allergies to certain medications, particualry Percocet and Oxy. They make me itch really badly. 

So after the surgery my left area hurt so badly. I had muscle spasms like crazy. You could see the muscles spasming. I had IV morphine that the nurses had to administer and Tylenol. I used the morphine in the hospital but it didn't work hardly at all, maybe ten minutes before the twitching started back up.  

The next day the doctor came in to check on me and all that and he said that the surgery was one of the hardest he's ever had. He said that my muscle was super tough and he had to use some instrument to insert it because he could just not get the pocket right and get it in there. He said he's only used this instument in a handful of surgeries but had no choice. He said because of this it probably would take longer to recover. ON the bright side he said he can't imagine the PM to move. Ever. He had sent me home with Tramodol and Flexeril but the Tramodol stuff didn't do anything but make me feel drowsy and want to sleep but it hurt to lay down in any position so I just laid there miserable.  I felt so much pain, I was almost panicked since I read how simple the recovery was for this surgery.

I went back after a week cause I just couldn't take it and thought something could be wrong. He took an xray and said it was all good but he changed my meds to T3 and Flexeril and once again reminded me that I had a rough surgery and it had only been a week. I took the T3 and Flex for two days and the T3 took the edge off while allowing me to do things around the house. Being able to move around and get my arm in motion really helped.  After only two days of those meds I felt good enough to stop them.  By two weeks I was jogging. 

The bottom line is it might hurt worse than what everyone tells you but if you do try to relax it and take the medications your doctor can prescribe you, it will heal. You just have to be patient. Unlike me, ha ha. I wish I had known that it could hurt that much before I went under so I didn't feel like such a whiney baby for hurting so much. 

Tylenol

by Flo - 2018-07-13 08:02:02

Hi Celeste,  after my dual chamber PM I was offered Oxy or tylenol for the night in hospital and I turned both down as I felt fine but was hitting the nurse call button not long afterward and asked for the tylenol which took care of it.  I took tylenol again the 2nd night post PM and I think that was all.  The PM has helped me feel better.  My best to you.

ice

by Tracey_E - 2018-07-13 09:53:25

I'm also allergic to most of the pain meds I've tried, delivered two babies with no meds because I was afraid of finding a new one I'm allergic to while trying to push out a baby. I got by on tylenol and ice after my pacer. Lot and lots of ice! If they don't give it to you in the hospital, ask for it. I don't know why they don't automatically give it to everyone, it cuts down so much on the pain and swelling. Good luck. 

Tylenol

by Bionic Dan - 2018-07-13 11:12:16

I had a dual chamber ICD implanted in January. I'm a 61 year old in reasonably good shape other than heart issues. I was instructed to take Tylenol for pain and offered nothing in the way of prescription pain killers. I really didnt have issues with pain, a little sore but that was about it. Took the Tylenol for a day or two after the surgery. Had the surgery on Thursday and went back to work the following Monday. Not really a big deal.

I'm Male but...

by AgentX86 - 2018-07-13 13:33:40

If you managed two csections, you'll be just fine.  ...and your pacemaker won't require 2AM feedings.

Not really pain. . .just sore for a couple of weeks

by tedd - 2018-07-14 01:22:42

I wouldn't call the incision for the pacemaker really pain, it was more sore. Sore that you feel if you might get lightly burned, somewhat constant.

primarily a minor nusiuence. It dimishes greatly in a few days. It is hardly noticeable in a couple of weeks. I was given tylonal with codiene. Took a few pills a couple of times, but still have pills left.

Be brave. It's a small surgery so you got to expect something, but I wouldn't expect in any fashion any great pain. Relax, you probably experienced more pain from a wrist or ankle sprain. 

I too, lost sleep a couple of days before worrying if I could stand the pain. Happily it wasn't anything  like the anticipation. 

Concentrate on the good writers who say how great they feel after getting their pacemaker. They are right! You'll be just fine! Go for it confidently!

Nothing to worry about

by MissFitts - 2018-07-14 03:50:01

I agree with Tedd; just a bit sore and a tender area around the device. 

Luckily (?) mine was more of a sudden emergency than yours sounds, Celeste, so I didn't have any time to worry about it.  I can see that thinking about it over a few days, and not knowing what to expect would make you anxious, but judging by most of the replies here most people experience little pain. 

I don't remember having any pain killers after the procedure, though maybe the intravenous stuff you have for the op lasts  a day or two, nothing extra was needed.

You will be fine! 

Being anxious is perfectly normal

by phil54 - 2018-07-14 05:53:12

The pain wasn’t as bad, nor did it last as long, as I expected.  That night and the following morning I felt like I’d been smacked in the shoulder with a baseball bat but the pain was pretty much gone by that evening.  I didn’t feel the need to take any pain medication (and I’m a big sook).  For me, the longest lasting effect was the embarrassment I felt after talking rubbish as I came out of the sedation.  Have you ever seen those YouTube videos of people talking nonsense as they come out of sedation?  Well that was me!  I could hear myself but I couldn’t make myself shut up.  I kept going on and on about how young the nurse looked, asking if she was doing work experience etc!  Nothing untoward I hasten to add.

Best of luck tomorrow!

by Electric Elise - 2018-07-15 16:43:58

Hi Celeste, first and foremost good luck with your surgery tomorrow, I just noticed the date! Secondly, I had my PM implanted last Friday and, to be honest, I wasn’t exactly thinking about the post-surgery pain etc. For some reason, I had it in my head that the surgery was THE thing to get through. I will admit I felt quite a bit of pain the night right after the operation but I stoicly stood my ground and refused to take any meds. I did NOT enjoy that night at all. However, as all nights do, it went away and so did the next - and along with them so did the pain. If you truly cannot take meds, try not to worry yourself too much, it’s not too pleasant to do without, but it is do-able. Hope to hear good news from you soon!

Twice in a week

by Paulb - 2018-07-18 00:45:36

I had my op for my PM at 12pm on 6 July and only needed two Tylenol about 3 on Saturday morning because my arm was aching enough to wake me up. Unfortunately I joined the 1% club later on Saturday evening and just after returning home collapsed and was carted back to hospital to have the leads adjusted. The painless OP was on Tuesday with a local on the site and in my groin for the temporary pacemaker. Once again I only needed to Tylenol that night to stop waking up around 3am.  Now home and building confidence as a robot. 

Home Sweet Home

by Celeste67 - 2018-07-18 01:15:03

Thanks for all the well wishes and advice 😊 I survived my surgery and the first night in the hospital with only Tylenol. Now I’m home, in a bit of pain and finding it hard to get comfortable to 💤 sleep. I’m sure in a few days It will be fine and I can sleep in my own bed. Let the healing begin and being able to have my energy back. 

Thanks again!