Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

More to deal with at Xmas

Hi, I’m just feeling a little sad and feeling sorry for myself but no one worry, I get over it. Had my PM implanted in Mar ’09, and there were some nasty complications. I expected to at least feel well afterward. If I just sit in a chair I feel fine. As soon as I move around get angina and tired. Sometimes just getting in bed at night was problem. I have griped at my Card.since I finally made it home. They made one adjustment to the PM and that was it. Upped the lasix and potass...

Read More...

Came across something

I came across this quote while looking for helpful hints about my stress/anxiety.

I wanted to share this with anyone working through the same issues.

“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.”

Read More...

PAC's

Are there any vitamin supplements I can take to lessen the PAC's?

Read More...

Panic and Anxiety

I've come here before...for the same reason. And I'm sorry that I'm coming here again....just have nowhere else to turn.

I'm having PAC's, still on Xanax and still scared to death. I've come to figure out my tingling hands and feet are from hyperventilating due to the fear.

I feel cripled with fear since the pacemaker was implanted. I know it's there to help but I am more worried now that ever before. I've been praying everyday...everytime I close my eyes to sleep.

Read More...

3 weeks and a few questions

Hello all - I am 3 weeks post PM placement. How long do the implant site and surgical site stay sore to the touch? Just wondering what is a reasonable expectation on my part.

Read More...

CRT-D Implanted...finally!

Hello everyone,

First of all, all of you who share your stories on this forum and to those who shared their experiences and advice with me will never be forgotten, this forum made my personal ordeal much more manageable.

Secondly, three days prior to my surgery, I got a prescription for XANAX from my PCP...never had it before. I took my first dose as soon as I got it and from then up until the surgery, what jitters I did have were cut in half...so for me that was good thin...

Read More...

UPDATE!

Wow! I have been getting server error messages on the site all day and have not been able to get into anything. Glad to see things back up and running.

Ok... here's the deal. I called my cardiologist office today and went a few rounds with the staff to actually see my cardiologist instead of his, in my opinion, less that par nurse practioner. Of course they were giving the run around and said they couldn't get me in with him to Febuary! I was also telling them I needed to speak with s...

Read More...

What the heck keeps poking me??

Ok... I called my doctor yesterday and asked about this an they said it was ok, but has anyone else experienced this and should I make them do a chest xray?

My PM is on the collarbone, left side. I feel like something is poking me on the right side of the brest in the same place. It's not painful really and not consistent. The equivilant of being poked with a ball point pen, but it's always in the same spot. 3 weeks post op and not sure if this is just a sensation vs. something really...

Read More...

PAC's

Does anyone here experience PAC's on a regular basis with the pm? I was told I am having them after wearing a moniter. I was told they could be treated with medication but that they were harmless. The doctor said he would rather not suppress them with medication until it got to the point that they were unbearable. I might be there! and not to worry. At this point in the "healing" process...I worry about everything. I don't trust doctors and don't know what to believe.

Got to the po...

Read More...

Calling all sub-pectoral implantees!

Those of you that have a sub-pectoral implant (e.g. under or embedded in the pectoral or chest muscles)- how long did it take for you to have complete mobility in your affected arm/shoulder again? And, did you see a physical therapist or just do some sort of exercises yourself? I can raise my arm about 130 degrees versus 180 on the other side etc. - loss of mobility at 2 weeks post-surgery but I want to do whatever I need to in order to regain it. I have hardly moved my arm until about three...

Read More...

Brand new defib/PM impanted 12/1

Not sure what to expect. I am still in A Fib, and Dr is waiting four to six weeks for cardioversion to allow for optimum medication levels to acculablate in sytem.

Read More...

high heart rate

12/09 pace maker implant.

Excellent pulse and then woke up feeling bad with no pulse.

My heart rate is now fluctuating in the high 70's, 80's, etc., when at rest. Seem high when they say 60 + is the objective

Doc says O.K.

What is your experience? Info please.

Ann

Read More...

24 hrs post op

Hi,

I am now the proud owner of a pm and am 24hrs post op, doing well...albeit surreal. Have only had 3 lots of panadol for pain over incision and that's it. After some discussion with my surgeon the pm was inserted on my right side underneath the collarbone, I had looked at having it under breast instead, but went with traditional placement.

I was discharged from hospital this morning and other then a sore chest, feel great! The pm was checked / tested and technician said...

Read More...

Yikes!

Well it has been a month since they put my pacer in. I came home with a nice bandage TAPED to my upper chest/ shoulder. The nice nurse fellow spent a good deal of time shaving my whole chest. So I didn't wonder too much about the irritation under the bandage. Figured it was the operation and the hair growing back. But when I removed the bandage I was RAW from an allergic reaction to the tape. I had a rash from my shoulder to below my pectorial. The rash has gotten less, and the raw areas have...

Read More...

No diagnosis...but still getting a pacemaker

Hi all,

Firstly, I'd like to say how nice it is to have found this website and how supportive everyone is...it's a great comfort!

I have a history of dizzy spells since I was 13 and am now 27. A few weeks ago during a test to see if my spells were caused by Epilepsy, a single heart rate monitor that was placed on my chest picked up that my heart stopped for 8 seconds during a mild spell. I have had many 24hr holter monitors before, and it was sheer luck that I had a spell...

Read More...

Ablation?

Hi,
Found out last week that another ablation attempt is in my near future (Dr. wanted to do it the next day...I walked out without scheduling). My last EP study never got to the ablation part because they couldn't induce the arythmeia for a long enough period of time to map it and fix it. It was an aweful experience and not one that I am looking forward to repeating. My question is what is the liklihood of it not working a second time?

Anybody had more than one not work?

Read More...

2nd pacemaker tomarrow

Hey everyone.I have a dual lead pacemaker.My pacemaker went into backup mode.Im having right side lung pains.But the reason im posting is ::: Im getting a wifi pacemaker tomarrow.My doctor will use the merlin.net to keep up with it.My question is:: Has anyone here delt with having this type and what can I expect with one. Thanks to anyone that responds! Karen

Read More...

Chest pains

I am two weeks post lead replacement. (Failed medtronics recalled lead) for the past week I have had a number of episodes of debilitating chest pain - inability to breathe or move - Sometimes, but not always, preceded by sharp burning pains under my left breast. I ended up in the ER one night this week - and they ruled out punctures, an MI, wandering leads, infection and clots - but this is ridiculous - my left arm goes weird (not numb exactly - just puffy feeling) , my entire lower jaw ach...

Read More...

Stress Test

I am hooked up to a halter again. I am still having palpitations, extra beats, skipped beats, maybe even PVC's. Not sure, hence the monitor. I should be able to take it off on Monday.

Going in for a stress test on Monday. Just to make sure everything is ok. I was supposed to have it before the pm was implanted but it seems the complete heart block they caught while on the monitor put the stress test on the back burner for a while.

Can anyone tell me what to expect. Is ther...

Read More...

Mayday Mayday Mayday

Good Evening,

I live in the Denver area at relatively high altitude and was dx'd with Cardiomyopathy seven years ago. Three years ago, my cardiologist suggested an ICD implant...I stalled and luckily am still alive. However, yesterday...after a 24hr holter, he said I need a Pacemaker asap! So I will meet with an electrophysiologist on wednesday to discuss the options of a Pacemaker, an ICD or both. Frankly, I only want the Pacemaker.

Obviously confused with the details...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.