St Jude’s 2 Leads

PM

by Persephone - 2021-08-10 22:35:32

Hi Chickee - it certainly sounds like you are taking the right steps given the symptoms you describe.  In my opinion, the key things right now are understanding where the PM will be placed and what your post-implant restrictions are, and ensuring that you can make yourself comfortable when you're released after surgery so you can get the rest you need.  There will be plenty of time ahead to learn about your device.  A lot of good information is available on this site using the search box, and many people here pitch in to help answer questions you may have.  I hope all goes well with your implant and you're feeling improvement afterwards.  In my case, as soon as I woke up after surgery, it seemed that every cell in my body felt better since blood oxygen was being properly provided (and it wasn't because the happy drugs hadn't worn off yet :)

recovery

by Prof P - 2021-08-11 09:58:55

Recovery means different things to different people.  If you were very active, you'll be slowed down for a little while.  If you weren't, then a little more activity will likely be part of your recovery.  Be patient.  It will take a couple of days for basic recovery, a couple of weeks for some obvious healing, and a couple of months to feel better than you did before.  Lots of advice on this site will be helpful (it was for me).  

advice

by Tracey_E - 2021-08-11 11:38:09

My best advice is go into it with a positive attitude.  For me the worst part was the anticipation, building it up in my head to be something awful. I found the surgery easier than expected and after felt better than I ever could have hoped for. 

Wear a button up shirt to the hospital. You won't want to be pulling anything over your head the first few days. 

Ice makes a huge difference in pain level and healing. 

Don't be shy about asking your questions. I find it helps to write them down because I get amnesia when a doctor asks if I have questions, then I think of them later driving home lol. So, I always take a written list. A lot of people don't care to know the details and a lot of doctors don't bother to explain much. I've found that if they know we are interested in knowing about our condition and how the pacer works, they are usually very good about explaining things. Now they all know me and I don't have to ask, they know I want to know everything. 

Goo luck!!!!

Questions

by AgentX86 - 2021-08-11 12:04:45

What Tracey said (add loose to "button down").

It also helps to bring some with you who is also interested in your condition.  An interested third party can often remember what you can't when you're stressed (both questions and answers). A word of caution, he/she can also take over the conversation, so talk about your expectations and the kind of support that you want ahead of time. Even though a spouse may be as stressed as you are (often more), it still is your body and you are the one who needs help.

Perspective is everything.

Wisdom is found here

by TLee - 2021-08-11 14:40:43

Don't be afraid to ask questions here. Everyone is very nice & has a good sense of humor, and they don't seem to mind answering the same questions over & over.

Unless you are one of the lucky ones who feel great immediately, you may find yourself asking, "When will I feel better?" I sure did! In a nutshell, my advice would be to give it time. Time to heal physically & time to adjust menatlly & emotionally. Also to keep in mind that there are millions of people who live wonderful lives with pacemakers & so will you; and that of those millions, very few have managed to break theirs, so don't worry about every little push, pull or bump. (But do be careful for the first month or so). Good luck! 

Clothing

by Persephone - 2021-08-11 17:24:16

Good advice about the shirt!  I had to "borrow" a hospital blanket when discharged because I couldn't get the pullover shirt I'd worn on the way in (granted this was unplanned and through the ER) over my head and could only step into the shirt and pull it up to armpit level.  None of the staff seemed to object to me setting off with the blanket, but I would have preferred being properly covered with clothing.

Sounds Very Familiar

by Marybird - 2021-08-11 17:29:23

Hi Chickee,

The same thing used to happen to me more times than I can remember- not just in the car, but when I stopped any activity anywhere I was for just a bit- scary when you're up on a ladder washing windows and your heart rate drops into the low 40's- before I got the official diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome ( tachy-brady) and a dual chamber St. Jude pacemaker in June of 2019.

As others have said, recovery will take a little time and you might have some ups and downs while you are healing and your health care providers adjust your pacemaker settings for your needs, but from my perspective of two years after the pacemaker implant, I can truly say it was a game changer for me, and I feel so very much better for it.

Don't know if your diagnosis is sick sinus syndrome, but in the event it is, I will add that I felt very much better after they turned on and adjusted the rate response on the pacemaker at my 6 week post-op visit to the EP.

Best of luck to you, and happy healthy days ahead.

Words of whatever..

by ROBO Pop - 2021-08-11 19:31:29

Get that thing installed, then get out there and enjoy the rest of your life worry free.