pacemaker for swallow syncope

recovery following pacemaker implant

by Gemita - 2019-11-10 05:39:49

Hello Pacemaker_Sally,

Not quite sure how to follow AngySparrow's comments.  I am in the UK and there are quite strict rules getting any treatment on our NHS (National Health Service) and I do not believe my pacemaker was implanted without following the guidelines.

I do in fact have evidence of swallow syncope and have had many episodes over my lifetime.  I also have arrhythmias and prior to pacemaker implant (2018), I had sudden periods of both bradycardia and tachycardia.  The bradycardia now is controlled by the pacemaker which is set at the steady rate of 70 bpm, but of course a pacemaker cannot fix my arrhythmias or high heart rates, so I still need to be on rate control meds, in my case, a beta blocker, to stop me from going too fast during my frequent, intermittent arrhythmias.  

A steady pace and higher heart rate is helping to pace me out of some of my arrhythmias so I do feel better overall and I dont get the long pauses and bradycardia any more and I am able to take my beta blocker without causing extremely low heart rates.  However I am still getting (pre-syncope episodes and have been close to fainting during meals).  The problem is also blood pressure which may dip during digestion so drink plenty of fluids and if your daily average blood pressure is normal to low, ask your doctor whether a bit more salt added to meals might help.

The big companies will always give the best possible recovery outcome for their products, but in reality each one of us will have a different story to tell.  I had a lot of shoulder discomfort for 6 weeks and felt some minor pacemaker discomfort for several months.

I am fairly new to this forum.  There is so much good advice here, sometimes far too technical for me but I am here to learn.   We all speak from "the heart" here even if what is written sometimes leaves me with my mouth wide open !    Good luck and I hope you will soon be more comfortable and the pacemaker will help you

Pian

by Gotrhythm - 2019-11-10 14:28:22

The amount of pain after implantation is a very individual matter. I was one who required only a the occasional Tylenol--so their promise really is true for some people.

About pain, remember ice is your friend. Also do not restrict the movement of your arm and shoulder. Gentle movement--just the kind that happens as you do your daily routine is fine, and in fact it is good for you. Restricting movement because of pain will only lead to more pain.

Even after the skin is closed, healing is still happening on the inside for a month or longer. Itching, drawing, pulling, or pinching sensations are all normal and nothing to be alarmed about--they are just what happens as nerves heal. If they are bothersome, ice is effective in calming the area.

Updates and clarifications

by Pacemaker_Sally - 2019-11-10 15:24:19

In an attempt to keep my post short, I left out some details, which I'll provide here to address some concerns above. The pacemaker is 100% medically necessary. My heart is awesome but it gets interrupted by over reactive "vagal tone".  I'm in Canada, so there are strict guidelines on getting pacemakers. Anyone with a long AV block who's had to wait for surgery, knows how terrifying it is to wait for the pacemaker surgery. I felt the block daily but "only" for 5 seconds max. Enough to be prohibited from driving but not long enough to actually faint. 
The 'extra' recovery time is explained by a longer surgery with complications and a giant 8x4" bruise. I just wish I had been one of those "two days on Tylenol" people!

I have had really excellent medical care and lots of reassurance that all is well. 

I find Arnica cream very helpful for the pulling and odd sensations around the incision.  It is a blood thinner so I waited until a week post-op and avoid applying it directly on the incision. 
Be well everyone and thanks for all your support!