PM on Friday, 11/21...

Ok, so I go for my PM on Friday. I am a bit nervous, as one might expect. One, I hate having to have it because I'm only 35; two) any kind of surgery is a little scary; three) I'm worried about recovery and not lifting my arm for 6 weeks with a 2 and 4 year old.

The more I read, the less I feel I know about it all. My heartrate sits at 40 most of the time so I know it'll be pacing me 100% of the time. I see comments about the top of the range. I'm wondering if I even need a top? I do exercise though haven't gone over 70-80 in a long time, but used to get up to 150 or better in Spinning class before all this came about.

Also eager for this extra energy that I keep hearing about. Not sure if that happens right away or later.

Thank you for any comments. Mostly looking for a bit of encouragement as this approaches.
AC

7 Comments

You'll be great

by Michele - 2008-11-17 04:11:10

I just had surgery on November 6th. I am coming up on 2 weeks now and I feel great - you will too! I have increased energy and will start back at the gym tonight. I use to run, but have been unable to for the past few years.

Allow yourself a week to really get up to speed. All the best, Michele.

Welcome

by Suze - 2008-11-17 04:11:19

I'll be thinking of you on Friday. This will all be behind you before you know it.
Chrissie has given you good advice when she says to let your kids be part of your recovery. Although, if you have really little ones, you may need a little help for a couple of weeks. Mainly because of the lifting.

I'll bet you see a difference right away in your energy level. I know I did.

Let us know how it goes.
Take care,
Suze

ok

by Tracey_E - 2008-11-17 04:11:20

You have a block if I remember correctly. If yes, then yes you'll have an upper limit as well as a lower limit. That is the maximum level the ventrical will pace the atria. With a block, your atria is generally perfectly normal. The standard setting is 120 or 130, and many of us get it turned up higher. Once you are back on your feet, if you get tired or dizzy when exercising, you'll know to ask to have it higher.

35 is old! I was 27 :o)

I wish I was close enough to come take you out for coffee to get your mind off it, hold your hand on Fri, and stick around next week and help with your kids. I know you have lots of help and I know you'll be fine! I'm willing to be in about three weeks you'll be back here posting about how good you feel and how much more energy you have.

Good luck! Know that you'll be in our thoughts and prayers.

Good luck

by Angelie - 2008-11-17 10:11:12

I think you'll be amazed at how you feel the morning after your implant. Yeah, you'll be sore from the actual procedure, but I can't wait to hear how it's helped you.
You'll do great.......don't worry.

I'm 33, and just got my first pacemaker in August. It's only been a few months, but I'm doing great. You'll do the same. You'll need a little help with the kids at first, due to your arm and lifting restrictions, but after that is over with----- I think you'll be surprised at how easy your life has become.

Blessings,
Angelie

You'll do fine

by Jonn - 2008-11-17 10:11:48

Hi ADC,
I had my pm implanted 11 months ago. The procedure was not nearly as horrific as I imagined it to be. I was so nervous. I was diagnosed with 3rd degree heart block. And was taken to the hospital on Christmas eve with the surgery 2 days later. The anesthesia they gave me put me in a twilight state-don't remember the procedure (45 min) or any pain. I have no restrictions and bike 30-40 miles a week and feel great. Admittedly it's a little strange reaching up and feeling the pm. But there is no discomfort or side effects. I know the wait is nerve wracking but hang in there. You'll be feeling much better when it's over. Good luck ADC. Must apologize if this sounds jumbled but this is my first time doing this. Let us know how it goes.
Jonn

Magnetic card readers and Spinning

by Rodrigues - 2008-11-17 11:11:40

Hi ADC (Alternate Direct Current) good name for PM,back to topic Magnetic card readers, I to work all day with one no problem to be safe stay away from PM area.Spinning,I to love spinning my wife is a spinning instructor start slowly set a HR to start with ,my goal was 120bpm then 130bpm and so on till I reached my max HR goal no problem then again my PM low is set at 40bpm, rate response off .

Don't worry you'll be fine.
Francisco

Implant surgery

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-18 01:11:50

A couple of suggestions.
1. If you think you can handle it, choose to have the implant done under local anesthesia. You will recover much faster.
2. For a few nights after the surgery sleep on the side opposite the pacemaker and put a pillow in front of you to rest the pacer arm on. This keeps your arm from squeasing the incision site. This seems so simple, but the hospital staff had never heard of it when I had mine put in.
3. If the hospital gives you one of the cheapy slings, get a good one at the drug store.Adjust it for good support and then get up and around as soon as possible. Judge your activity by whether it hurts.

I used all these and awake to feel the energy when they turned on the pacemaker in O.P. I walked a mile when I got home from the hospital and 3 miles/say after that. Also, slept like a rock the first nite.

My only warning about all this is that we are all different in our response to surgery. It also depends on how deeply you are having it implanted.

Best of luck and post us all a note about how great you are feeling on Friday or Saturday.

frank

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.