Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

irritation

Now 8 mos post pacemaker and doing well.The only thing that bothers me is the sensitivity over the scar. Looks like a keloid formation secondary to poor wound closure-my first pacemaker.My skin up to 2inches away from the scar has developed small superficial viens.My GP had suggested a steroid injection near the scar. Any suggestions?
Will

Read More...

Complications after surgery

Hello,
I had my PM implanted in February. I needed the physical therapy to increase range of motion. I am finished with that part which helped a lot; however, I still can't raise my arm without pain due to a pinched nerve.
Has anyone else had this problem after having the PM surgery?

Read More...

how long will I need physical therapy?

Hi, I'm a 33 year old mom of three. One day, without any prior health problems, I suddenly felt dizzy and fainted. While I was being tended to by EMS and transported to the hospital I lost consciousness several more times. A heart monitor in the hospital detected arrythmia. I got in touch with an excellent cardiologist who had me tested for every possible cause, but could not come up with any. Since the syncope kept recurring while I was in the hospital for several days, and the monitor show...

Read More...

old pacemaker

Thank you for answering. Yes, I do go for my annual check ups but that is in the fall. I will see the new doctor at that time. I am not having any trouble at this time, just concerned about the new doctor and getting the pacemaker replaced. 20 years sounds good to me but mine is paced most of the time. I have sarcoidosis in my heart as well as other places so you never know what the future holds, but for now I am okay. Short of breathe but that is due to overweight. My heart rate is only 3...

Read More...

Decision-making to have a PM or to not have a PM

Hello everyone, I stumbled upon this website through a Google search engine on pacemakers. My cardiologist, neurologist and now electro-physiologist have all recommended and enforced that I am a very strong candidate to receive a pacemaker since September 2005, (more so now than before). I'm currently taking midodrine hCl and zoloft to control my episodes of fainting (very severe). I am going into my third full year of taking medication, and even though my symptoms have improved, they are not go...

Read More...

PM implant location

Hi folks,
I had a pm implanted 3 weeks ago today after spending the last 3 months, fainting, gasping for air and generally feeling weaker by the day. Upon realizing that my pulse would not go above 28, I was rushed to emergency for a pm. It has given me a new life. I still get dizzy and have strange feelings of pressure in my chest and back and twinges at the site of the incision.
The reason I am posting is that, due to severe scarring in both my lungs due to a childhood illness & ha...

Read More...

Just found out today

Hi- My name is Candi and I am 31 years old. I was diagnosed with Left Ventricular Non Compaction in March. We just found out today the people with LVNC have a higher rate of cardiac arrest so I guess I'm getting a defib on June 2nd. I put off the implant until school was out because of not being able to drive after the implant. I am very worried about recovery time. We have 5 horses, 2 young children and I work with children so you can see we are very active. It was horrible after having t...

Read More...

sleeping soundly

What a great resource this site is for those of us just joining the pacemaker ranks. I am a 49 year old with a medtronic dual lead pacemaker. I am one week past implant. I am a quick healer and pretty healthy and am feeling pretty good now except for being sleep deprived. I am a side and belly sleeper and just cannot get comfortable on my back. I've tried to sleep on my right side but feel like the incision is being stretched. I've tried wedge pillows behind my shoulders and knees and Ambien as...

Read More...

I just got a pacemaker a week ago...

I am 48,and was having fainting episodes several times a month...once in a patient's room!When my pacemaker was inserted,I felt better almost immediately.Now,a week later,I have returned to work,and feel exhausted.I am freaking out that maybe my pacemaker isn't working,or maybe a lead slipped.I check my pulse,and it is always over 60.Is this normal..did you find yourself "hypersensitive" for a while?

Read More...

New to PM

Hello All,

Iam 39 years old and Iam going to have my first PM on Wednesday.I have had a 2:1 av block since childhood but never any symptoms but now Iam dizzy all the time and have spells of nausea so my doctor has insisted that I need pacing.
Iam worried how it will effect me afterwards as I have a 3 year old and I still want another child.My cardiologist has just said everything will be better after.Iam also worried about recovery time and the possiblity of getting depression. A...

Read More...

To the ladies!

I was wondering if any ladies would be able to answer this question for me. Have any of you had a breast reduction after having a pacemaker? If so how was your recovery and was it more complicated?
Thanks,
Tammy

Read More...

recent surgery and comments


Hi All,

I had a dual chamber pacemaker implant exactly two weeks ago . Two days after implant, I suffered very strong diaphragm twitches as a result of which the kick in rate was adjusted from 60 to 50. I have had no twitches since then , however am suffering from pain in my left arm which at times becomes severe. I have also slight neck pain.Has any one had similar experience? Is this a short term pain or likely to persist?Like to hear from any one with similar experience or ot...

Read More...

Urgent Help Needed Complex Case

I am in need of some urgent advice regarding my Father, who has the following condition:

* serious congestive heart failure (20% of heart working)
* 20 yrs ago 4 bypass, with complication of staph infection in chest, loss of most of breast bone, and dorsal flat reconstruction
* coumadin use 5-7 mg per day for 20+ yrs.
* diabetes on insulin with 8-9 A1C
* blood clots in his heart currently and at least since 2006
* received 4th pacer 3 yrs ago which is a combo...

Read More...

#3

yeah,this my third pacemaker since aug.'95.I needed the main lead replaced(original)so they replaced everything.FINALLY going back to work after 5 weeks.Anybody know where I can find pacemaker jackets?

Read More...

5o yo doc

Thanks to all that responded. Went ahead with the pacer yesterday thought I would trust the EP didn't want to miss time from work or stop driving cause I might black out. He told me it wouldn't get better, funny my symptoms were from multiple PVC's and the pacer wouldn't cure that so I am on flecainide an antiarrythmic that is what has made me feel better but according to the EP( electrophysiologist) I needed the pacer to be safe. Over night at the hospital it paced 29% of the time. It's the med...

Read More...

bi valve pacemaker defibrilator

Hello all; i am very happy to find this site.. i am a 72 year old male . i have a guidant pacemaker tha woks well for the last 6 years I am a symptomatic but I have a low ejection fraction of about 25% My cardiogolisrs office , called me friday and told me he wanted to send my records to st barnabus hospital in livingston new jersey and is recommending that I have a bi valve pacemaker defibrilator implanted in me..I am very hesitant to have this done because of all the recalls of medtronic lea...

Read More...

What were they doing?

During my recent pacemaker implant, I was of course heavily sedated but woke up during the procedure to a lot of pain - it felt like something was being jammed into my chest (above my left breast). When I started talking (hello that hurts!) the doctor said that I shouldn't talk because it could collapse my lung. What I'm wondering is...what was he doing? I thought the leads were fed in through veins, so what could collapse a lung?

I read in someone else's post here about the surger...

Read More...

New pacemaker

Hi Friends,

Do you have also problems too make an appointment bij the
pm-controller.? Last nov. I had problems with my pm.I felt terrible,specially at night.My doctor could not find anything and he has too made an appointment fo me.He talked with my cardiologist and I got a holter for 24 hours. Two months before that my pm-controller asked me if I had an accident.He thought there was something with one of the leads.He discussed it with my cardiologist and changed something of the...

Read More...

Helping my Dad!

My Dad had a defibulator/pacemaker implanted 3 weeks ago. He is 77 years old and doesn't use the computer but I am worried about him and found you all online. HE doesn't really have any specific complaints but just generally does not feel good. The incision and site he says he cannot even feel anymore. He does really have any energy, wants to sleep all day and no zest for life or going back to work. I think he is just in a funk because this is life changing and one of his first realities to agin...

Read More...

Thank-you

I am still pretty fragile(3 weeks post implant). It is very comforting to know that my problems for the most part are not unique. I went back to work last week. I still do not have the stamina that I would like, but being back in the office was therapeutic. I am moving on, albeit slower than I have anticipated. It is easier to move on having had the benefit of the comments from a "caring group of new chatline friends". I had an appointment @ PM clinic thurs. and my ventricular setting was set lo...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic man.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.