6 weeks in, got some issues.......

Hi Guys...

Right, deep breath, I'm 7 weeks down the road from my DDD Medtronic PM fitting for 3rd Degree AV Block and 29 years old living in Milton Keynes (UK), haven't been on here for a while so apologies for the intro ;o) The op went ok, and I'm yet to have my first pacer clinic check up, which maybe the answer to my fist concern but the wound is still pretty sore to touch and I'm struggling or maybe afraid to pick up my 2 year old daughter or when I do I cringe as it stings and is uncomfortable, its seems to rub right under the skin and god know why he didn't bury it a little deeper. I mentioned this to the cardiologist who performed the op who told me to keep an eye on it for a couple of weeks as there could be an infection below the surface of the skin, I'm thinking I should wait another week to see if it takes to my body a little better as I'm fully aware of peoples different healing properties? Also, and call me naïve as I thought I’d done all my hours of paranoid research but I wasn't aware that I shouldn't feel it pacing, as for the past 7 weeks I definitely do feel it working away, not often, but even last night around 02:00 (which is the time when my heart rate slows or when the ECG used to pick up AV block) is when I can feel it pacing for a min or so and I have to sit up in bed, maybe its me being hyper sensitive which I am naturally, so maybe it needs to be tinkered with to establish the best setting for me, which I understand, but correct me if I'm wrong, is partly what the first check-up is for. Just a little concerned and obviously very interested in the views of experience (you!),as I really don’t fancy the PM being re-sat lower in the muscle if I can help it....Thanks a lot. Gary

5 Comments

Welcome Back

by Blueaustralia - 2008-02-22 03:02:25

Welcome back. Sorry to hear you are having problems
I am no good in answering technical questions. I leave that information to Electric Frank and Smitty. I don't know what we ould all do without them. You will be surprised when I tell you I come from close to Milton Keynes. My sister lives there. Perhaps you can help me with the information of where you were operated on and where you go to get your Pacemaker checked. It makes me wonder what I will do if and when I visit my family. Hope you get everything sorted soon. All the best Billie

Thanks guys.......

by GN - 2008-02-22 05:02:09

Frank, Chrissie, Billie - First of all, thank you very much for your independent advice. I really do wonder why on earth patients are not explained the basic principles. Anyway, as always I tend not to moan too much as I'm a pretty down to earth guys who hits himself back in line when I visual others in a worse situation than myself. Frank, it does makes sense as Chrissie agrees with, I do only really notice it late at night, early morning and Chrissie, what you are saying does make perfect sense regarding the healing process and glad that you are now feeling better and able to get out in the garden! The information provided as always enables people to arm themselves with ammo as I am still keen to visit my cardo to have a chat.

Billie, the PM clinic I know of (haven't been for my checkup yet) is located in a town called High Wycombe, located in the county of Buckinghamshire, although there are private hospitals in the area, but as always a cost attached. Costs me (or my insurance company) £100-£180 for a 'chat', the same as an ECG, these are called BMI Hospitals. My op was conducted at 'The Shelbourne' which is a BMI private hospital on the same premisis of High Wycombe General (NHS).

Again, thanks ever so much to you all, have a great weekend.
Gary

Chrissie...NHS Issues

by GN - 2008-02-22 09:02:45

You are correct Chrissie, I do choose to go private, my choice entirely. Better information would be an incorrect assumption as most doctors would have received the same training at some stage, with even my Cardiologist performing for the NHS when needed, so a little contradictory in some instances. The reason purely for me always requesting a private hospital is that its much more comfortable with a room with home comforts to yourself and the non-urgency feel to the whole place which I prefer. I also, don't like to say but this is an open forum with a freedom to speak so will anyway ;o), but the NHS, the way its currently managed and funded really stretches the service to the limit. In the past ten years, open heart surgery, hip and knee replacements and keyhole surgery have become routine, but the NHS simply can't keep up with the phenomenal growth in medical advances - all of which require costly equipment and more highly trained staff. Remember Chrissie, this is my interpretation nobody else’s. Take Care!

Night time symptoms

by ElectricFrank - 2008-02-22 12:02:20

Gary,
The feelings you get around 2:00AM are most likely the pacemaker doing its self test. This involves the pacer driving your heart at a higher rate (usually 85 or 100) and then testing what voltage your heart requires. If you happen to be awake you will notice it. There is no need to sit up or anything, just give it a couple of minutes to finish.
If you have 3rd Degree AV Block the pacer is pacing your ventricles pretty much all the time. When the pacer is working normally you don't feel it. If they have Rate Response turned on it can try to take over your HR and is noticeable. Unless you have a sinus rhythm problem it should be turned on though.
As for the depth of the pacemaker in your chest, it is pretty much determined by the thickness of your skin. If you are thin it will lie against the muscles of your chest and be very noticeable. That shouldn't be a problem though. I have thin enough skin that I can feel the leads and shape of the pacer and don't have any problems with it. I drive offroad with my 4wd truck and the shoulder harness doesn't bother it. It may be an infection.

frank

where on earth have u been mister???

by rdelvis07 - 2008-02-28 05:02:27

Gary where have u beeen? Lol I miss talking to u like crazy!!

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