Today is the day.

New pacemaker

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-25 08:36:57

Well, Dave, good luck today and welcome to the group. I hope you stay around and let us know how you're doing as you recover. I'm sure it'll all go smoothly.

Your experience with the antiarrhythmics and ablation follows mine pretty well but it's not clear exactly what they're doing. Are they implanting the pacemaker to keep your heart rate up so they can keep up the antiarrhythmics or will they do an AV ablation at some point? Do you know what sort of pacemaker they're going to use (1-lead, 2, 3, AAI, VVI)?

As far as the power tools go, my EP told me the exact opposite. I cannot use a riding mower but a walk-behind is fine. Power tools are fine, except welders. The restriction on rising mowers is because of the crappy alternators they tend to use and the fact that I'm pacemaker dependent (no escape rhythm, even). If I'd had only the atrial lead and no AV ablation,  it wouldn't have been a problem but as it is, he's being very conservative.

Get used to being cold. A pacemaker won't get you out of taking your Eliquis. I _might_ get off it at some point because I've had my left atrial appendage closed but even with that, I may be a lifer.

Am I missing something?

by Theknotguy - 2018-09-25 17:54:32

Your comments: "Well, today is the day that I will get my pacemaker... I hate that I will never be able to do my yard work again...just a self propelled walk behind...but the EP has said no to that."no push/pull mowers, no power drills...)..although he said I can use a riding mower It makes me wonder what else he will say no to."

For about the first four weeks you can't lift over about 10 pounds with the arm on the pacemaker side.  Can't lift arm above shoulder level, etc.  Standard precaution for about the first four weeks.  After the first four weeks you can start going back to "normal" activities.  

I've had my pacemaker for four years now.   No restrictions on push or riding mowers.  No restrictions on electro/mechanical equipment.  So I don't understand why you're saying you can't ever do yardwork again.  If I don't have a restriction why do you?  

I volunteer at a furniture bank woodshop.  Run all of the power equipment and have written on this forum about running a larger DeWalt 110 volt power drill while leaning on the drill as it was running.  My pacemaker was lying on the drill as I was pushing it.  No problems, zilch, nichts, nothing.  So from where did your restriction come?  Why is your doctor saying you can't run a power drill?  Am I missing something?  

With the older, larger, pacemakers I can understand there were some restrictions.  I remember one of my college buddies telling me his grandfather had one of the newer  pacemakers that had a switch.  When he needed to do some exercise he could flip the switch and it would increase his heart rate.  Pacemaker was about the size of a small book.  But that was 1970.  Quite a few years back.  With our newer pacemakers we shouldn't have the restrictions they had from 48 years ago.

The hospital at which I volunteer has an advisory sheet for people with pacemakers.  Ten items on the sheet.  Four are completely wrong, six are partially wrong.  They even tell people you can't use your cell phone on the same side as your pacemaker.  I've always used my cell phone on the same side as my pacemaker and haven't had any problems for four years.  

I can understand some doctors want to be conservative but compared to what I'm doing your doctor is way too conservative.  If I were in your position I'd have a serious discussion with some serious questions.  Unless there is something else that would cause problems I don't see a reason for your life being so restricted. 

Restrictions

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-25 22:45:01

There are two issues that justify restrictions on even modern pacemakers.  One is a high static magnetic field, (very) close to the pacemaker.  The issue here is activating the MRI "default" reed switch.  A common antagonist is the rare-earth magnet in high-end headphones.  My EP told me to beware of carrying my cell phone in by shirt pocket, not because of the transmitter but because the magnet in the speaker could trip the switch. 

The other issue is rotating magnetic fields inducing a voltage across the leads which will mask or mimic the signals the pacemaker senses.  The common issues here are with large transformers, large motors, and welding equipment - places where there are very high AC currents flowing.

For those of us who are pacemaker dependent, any upset of the pacemaker is really a big deal so EPs tend to be very conservative.  It's a good idea for patients to listen to their doctors.  They're not stupid. 

Play Russian Roulette with your life but it's not a good idea to tell others to ignore their doctor's orders.  It's irresponsible, at least.

100%

by Claracluck - 2018-09-26 03:46:08

I had my box fitted in march i am  100% pacing. I can

garden (kept me sane)

use a ride on mower twice a week for two hours

an i phone

a dyson cordless( others available)

use a hairdryer (lol)

shout at my kids

in others words live your life its that simple dont be scared take one day at a time.good luck .

Restrictions

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-26 08:46:56

Note that the difference between being 100% paced and being dependent is large enough to drive an aircraft carrier through. No, telling someone to ignore their EP isn't doing them any favors.

One week down.

by daves52 - 2018-10-04 18:22:05

Just an update.

I followed advice and took the pain medication before I thought I needed it. That worked great. The first day was really much easier than I would have expected though much of it is a blur. The first night I had an allergic reaction to something that they gave me...and then I went into Afib...I doubt that the two were related. The next morning went fine. BUT...The person who was to pick me up was driving my truck to come pick me up from the hospital. He was run off the road. It totally diabled my vehicle...he was OK. So..here I was in the hospital contacting insurance. 

I was released by 1 on that day. I went back into Afib that afternoon after talking to insurance people again...grrr.  I have had several episodes this week. The EP warned me that I might. We know that the pacemaker will not help with that but that it might happen more frequently during the healing process.

I am learning just how much that you use your non-dominant hand/arm!!! My implant is on the right since I am left handed. I had to remind those who were doing tests...especially when they went to do the chest x-ray and asked me to lift my RIGHT arm over my head. The person said she had never had anyone with a pacemaker on that side..she was very sorry.

For those getting ready for this journey. If you live alone..be sure that you have everything that you need in an accessable place!!!!

And...he still says NO to any push/pull mowers!!!!!

AgentX86---you asked about my Pacer..it is a two lead..Right Atrium/Right Septum...if that make any sense.

Thanks for your support.