Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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New pacemaker

Hi,

I had a pacemaker fitted on Thursday in Edinburgh. Due to complications with sedation, I had the operation under local anaesthetic. I felt such a hero. For about two hours, I felt great. And then the anaesthetic wore off.

The pain at the side and down my left arm is horrendous. I am not able to lie down and have to sleep sitting up, which is not something I find easy. 
I also from time to time can feel a heartbeat. Sometimes two or three. My surgeon said that I will...

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ICD armpit restriction

Hello,

I'm just shy of 3 weeks post op and have noticed when I try to move my left arm across my chest to wash the right side of my face or just to reach across that way it feels like the ICD/pacemaker sticks out into my armpit restricting how far I can move my arm across my chest. Has anyone else had this? Did it resolve with time/healing or is this something I need to learn to live with?

Thanks 

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Surprise sedation

Hi everyone. So I'm at the hospital before my pm change and learned I will get light sedation after all, not just a local.  Yes!

see you on the other side!

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I am due for a pacemaker change..

Between two and 5 months I am get new pacemaker.  Mine is eight years old. They check battery getting low. Not sure if I was told. The new ones are 1/3 smaller or 1/3 as big as mine from 2015, matronic. Told it is out patient procedure. In and out by the afternoon. If anyone has had a change recently.  I would appreciate any advice, or what to expect. 

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Pulse below pacer low limit

Hi---new member here.
Just had a pacer put in this week with a low limit of 60. Things were going fine until yesterday, when I checked the pulse ox my pulse bounced around 40s and 50s even going to 30s once. I do have AFib and when pulse ox was registered 60 the first days was likely out of it. I believe I'm probably in it now. Even so, the low numbers scare me (I dont mind when it goes 70s 80s).

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Unexpectedly extreme pain following implant

Hi. I'm new here... I just got my ICD implanted 4 days ago, and the post-surgical pain is extreme; much worse than I expected. I usually have a pretty high tolerance to pain, but this is really bad. My doctor says that's not normal, and the Tylenol I'm taking should be managing it just fine. (I got the impression they don't believe me about the pain, or they think I'm being a baby.) 

The pain is only bearable when I have ice on it, which I'm keeping on const...

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bump

Hi, I just received my pacemaker last week, is there supposed to be large bump where the incision is? The area does not hurt or look infected, just wondering if it is just normal, or maybe a hematoma? It's been there since day 1.

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This newbie got the shock of her life--(no pun intended)

Hi--after 2 years of telling me nothing was wrong with my heart my cardiologist ordered a 21 day event monitor. I had a 5 minute conversation with him about the results on June 29. He told me I needed a pacemaker and he walked out of the examing room. My implant was scheduled for July 11, then postponed and then finally happened on July 18, 2023. 

I had no clue what I was going to experience and  am hoping some of my fellow members can tell me if they have experienced any of t...

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New device and cardioversion

Thank you all for letting g me be a part of this club.   I have had my PM for 12 years and am getting a Medtronic PM replacement on 8/14.  However, I have been in afib for 3 months and will have a cardioversion prior to the PM implant.  A couple of questions..  What happens if I don't come out of afib with the cardioversion?  Also, what can I expect after the PM replacement  (it is only the device, no lead replacement)?  And, how long will this all...

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Weird but brief complication of leg pain after PM procedure

This week is my 2-year anniversary of receiving a St. Jude PM, am finally taking the plunge and posting after 2 years of lurking.

The procedure went fine 2 years ago, no complications with anaestheia or anything.  I was sent home the next day, and felt OK the rest of that day.  The next day I could hardly walk.  I could sit down and get up out of a chair all right, but when I tried to take a step forward, had extreme pain at the very tops of my legs, like the muscles...

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Greetings - new to the 'club'....

I am actually just jumping around and reading different subjects and your input on things.  I am a newbie, just 5 days post op since my device was implanted for afib.   The more I learn the more I realize I don't know anything about this heart of mine.....

I am curious though, I read someone advise against wearing the sling longer than a couple days?   I was going to wear it to remind myself NOT to use the arm.   Oh I am most likely the middle...

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Pain during recovery

Hi everyone I'm new to the club, I had a Medtronic Azure pacemaker implanted in June 28 of this year.(4 wks ago )For the first week or two I felt great and energetic, but recently I've felt tired with a sharp pain near my  left armpit area.It last for a few seconds and some times ( specially at night time feels like throbbing pain) I was wondering if anyone has felt the same during  their recovery.

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Rejoining the club

When I had my transplant, my ICD was removed. Then recently I started to have fainting episodes so the transplant team organised a 48 hour monitor by post, which I duly wore and posted back on Monday. First thing today they rang to say we have a bed for you - please come in to have a pacemaker implanted. You have heart block. No details - waiting for the consultant  - 7but I'm all prepped and waiting for a slot in the lab. 

 

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Pacemaker Implanted 2 Days Ago!

Hi All!

I just had a dual chamber pacemaker implanted on Thursday 13/July. My symptoms were immediately cured, and I'm super thankful! The pain immediately afterward and the first night was so bad that I couldn't sleep and could barely walk to the bathroom. Last night I took an Ultram that I have for migraines and was able to sleep while propped up on the couch, but the pain was still a 5 or so (all relative, I know.) The pain is much better today, but I've noticed...

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Post-op discomfort

Hello group

I am eight days post op from receiving my pacemaker, and finding that I am having a lot of discomfort in my elbow on the operative side. It hurts to fully extend my arm (definitely not raising my arm over my head, and wondering if that is the cause). I have returned to work pretty quickly after surgery. I work as a surgical technologist. I am working within my restrictions and my doctor approved. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this arm pain after surgery? If...

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New to pacing and feeling lightheaded

Hi all,

I have had my new pacemaker for 8 days after my bradycardia got too bad. At 63, they found a 30 bpm at night at the hospital after being admitted through ER for  cardiac pauses of 3 to 5 seconds. Anyway, they diagnosed that as 2nd degree AV heart block and so I received an Assurity dual chamber pm2722. My heart other than the sinus node issues is very healthy. I am only taking Synthroid and Esomeprazole. No blood thinners needed either. I like lifting weights and cycling.&n...

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New pacemaker

New pacemaker four days ago with leads to upper and lower heart chambers. Purpose to stabilize slow pulse. Currently experiencing dull pain upper chest. Particularly when take deep breath. Speculate could be from upper lead but not sure. No reply from pacemaker clinic in Victoria BC so far. Anyone with similar experience?

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Post op wound care

Hello friends,
 

My recovery continues well, I've had fewer of those unusual feeling beats (PVCs?), my blood pressure is coming down (based on sensations, I'm travelling without a BP monitor), I feel it pacing less often (whether this is from the AV block getting back to my "normal" or simply being used to the sensation more). In short, while still very hyper aware of my body, I am recovering mentally and physically.

My biggest concern now is infection....

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Increase in heart weirdness just after first PM, is this common?

Hi again,
 

I've posted here a few times now, and first of all, thank you everyone for your replies. I didn't expect to be a member of this club quite so soon but it's been highly valuable getting a glimpse of other people's experience and perspective from relies and older posts.

As posted elsewhere I've had an AV block know since my early 20s, possibly something I've always had. It's not affected me much, no fainting, I've been able...

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Avoiding raising the arm and pulling out leads during sleep

Hello again,

PM newbie here, but third post. I really appreciate that this community exists!

I've seen the advise here against relying on a sling too much and staying mobile post op which makes sense. I'm curious though about how people sleep?

I'd usually lie on my side with the left arm straight up and under the pillow which isn't recommended at all. To make sure that I don't end up doing this in my sleep I've started sleeping with my left arm tied i...

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