Pacemaker surgery, under the muscle

Procedure

by viv1972 - 2018-08-06 23:07:16

They told me I would be awake during the procedure but I think I’m just very sensitive because I was out as 2 seconds after the nurse said she was giving me something to make me a little sleepy.  I woke up in the recovery room.  The most uncomfortable thing for me was wearing the sling.  The pain wasn’t too bad.  I had my procedure 7 days ago.  The real issue for me has been feeling disabled because I can’t use one of my arms.  Just the thought of being this way for 5 more weeks is making me crazy.  Don’t worry about the procedure itself I think you need to be prepared for the recovery.  I’m not the type of person that ever takes it easy so it has been very difficult.

Procedure

by AgentX86 - 2018-08-06 23:21:34

I was wide awake.  I don't even think they gave me anything to "take the edge off".  I'd already had three ablations, a heart cath, and a carotid cath, all with locals, so it was all BTDT.  I also had an AV ablation done at the same time by another team of doctors.  I hardly noticed them, though.  The PM team was working by my head, so were harder to ignore.  ;-)

Bottom line, it was a simple procedure and I had very little pain.  The only painful part of the surgery was making the pocket for the pacemaker.  That was a bit more than uncomfortable but manageable.  I spent the night in the hospital (only because I was now PM dependent) and went home the next morning.  We stopped at my favorite toy store (woodworking tools) and for lunch on the way home.  I was feeling pretty good and no painkillers. 

The procedure isn't as easy for everyone and things can go wrong but in my case, I think it was easier on me than my family.  I didn't have much of a choice but the choice was mine, if that makes any sense.

Don't worry!

by MissFitts - 2018-08-07 08:48:50

My procedure certainly didn't hurt a great deal. I remember a thump when they embedded the PM in place, which they warned me about and I was conscious throughout. I actually had two procedures; when they tested the connections, one wasn't working.   The surgeon said 'We're going to have to do it again" . I said , "what, tomorrow?" . "No, now" . Not ideal, husband a bit anxious but all was fine and it still didn't hurt second time around.

I felt sorry for the poor lady who had been scheduled to have hers after mine, and had starved all day; hers had to be postponed until the next day.

Being awake

by Gotrhythm - 2018-08-07 13:32:14

Awake, when it comes to surgery, is a very relative term. Awake, and conscious enough to play a game of tennis is not the same thing as awake during conscious sedation.

Talk to the anesthesiologist about your concerns, but as you probably know with Versed, you may be conscious, i.e. you can move, follow directions, answer questions, feel things, but you really, really, really don't care, and most likely you will remember little or nothing about what happened during the surgery.

Anesthesia

by Darcymarie1 - 2018-08-07 21:19:00

I was given IV conscience sedation but I was asleep the whole time. Didn’t know a thing!  The procedure was fine and went home in 3 hours.   

Exactly!

by MissFitts - 2018-08-08 08:22:54

Gotrhythm-

what a brilliant and totally accurate description:

you may be conscious, i.e. you can move, follow directions, answer questions, feel things, but you really, really, really don't care, and most likely you will remember little or nothing about what happened during the surgery.

Ask questions and communicate

by Dinah W - 2018-08-11 18:08:56

I had my double lead PM 2 days ago. 

Prior to surgery I asked lots of questions. I told the nurses that I wanted to be well sedated. I told them I was very scared and I told them I trusted them to take really good care of me. Take note of everyone’s names so you can talk to them in theatre. Thank the surgeon  in advance. I made sure I was comfortable (with the right pillow supporting under my neck) and I let them know I was cold. Consequently I felt safe and calm. You will feel tugging amd a ‘whump’ But it’s painless. Keep reminding yourself that the more relaxed you are the easier it will go in. So breathe. And  communicate with your nusrses. 

Ask for strong painkillers post surgery. Don’t muck around. The next few days you will need it. You will feel instantly better though as more oxygen is made available to your body. It’s well worth it. 

I have pinned my pyjama arm to my side so I don’t forget to immobilise it over the next few days. 

All the best! 

Not to bad at all

by lloyde - 2018-08-12 20:15:37

I had an AV node ablation with the installation of a PM on July 18, so it's been nearly four weeks. I slept soundly through the procedure. Then my shoulder hurt (pain from the incision, I assume) for two nights, one in the hospital and my first night at home. I was supposed to wear a sling during the day (I did) and an armbinder to bed. I wore it for several nights, but it was too small for my chest and I switched to wearing a T shirt with my arm inside the shirt. 

So far I've been delighed with the result. I have more energy, more enthusiasm for projects I want to do. Before, I was metering my energy - "I can do these two things if I rest for an hour after" - and now I don't think in those terms. I'm increasing the distance I can walk without stopping for breath. I feel so much better all day, and my wife says my color is better and I seem less depressed.

All in all, I'm delighted I had the procedure. I was apprehensive before because an AV node ablation is a "last resort" treaatment and is irreversible. But I'm glad I took the advice of my cardiologist and went ahead with it. I even went swimming yesterday,very gently, without lifting my arm above my shoulder -- in other words, I lay on my back and kicked the length of the pool. Delightful!

I hope all goes well with you.

Completed!!

by Kkozakmusic - 2018-08-24 01:05:08

Your comments helped so much!! Thanks for helping to ease my mind 😊 I am two days post op and although I’m in pain I’m glad I got this done. Thanks so much