Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Well tomorrow is pacemaker day!!!

I have surgery in the morning. I am getting a little nervous but you guys helped me see it was going to be ok. Thanks alot for the responses and also for the info as I read other posts.

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Stress

I am scheduled for an EP study 9/4 and a biventricular pacemaker/ defibrillator implant the next day. I have an extremely stressful job - but not one that is too terribly physically demanding, I have been told I will be able to return to work on the Monday after the Wednesday implant. (9/10) Is that realistic? If I am going to be out much beyond that I need to try to plan in advance as much as possible. Thanks.

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Still not myself

I had a dual chamber put in on May 24th with a diagnosis of SSS. I had passed out my whole life and it was always attributed to a vasovagal response as there was always a precipating event. I always felt good and had a high level of energy. The last time I passed out I was sitting at my desk at work eating lunch. The stress test and cardiac ultrasound were normal but the holter picked up a HR of 18 for several seconds. They told me a pacer was needed. In the initial weeks after surgery, I h...

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How Careful Do I need to be?

I got my PM three weeks ago and now that my surgery wound is getting much better and I am getting more active, I have begun to wonder just how careful I need to be about the implant site. The only information I received was to not engage in activity that results in "pressing" on the PM site. How easily can damage occur? If I bump into a wall, slapped on the chest, or hit during a pillow fight....will those things cause damage? Any insights?

Jack

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Thanks for the infomation

I started reading the posts from this site about a month ago. You all have certainly helped me prepare for the big event and know what to expect. I am a 56 year old male with sick sinus syndrome. Had the PM implanted on Friday August 16 . I was in OR for about two hours. Doctor had said it would be take about an hour so my wife and daughter were definitely getting concerned. It is a strange feeling being awake during the operation and talking with the doctor and nurses. I could feel some...

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Doe's anyone fell this way

Its been 4days since my PM was put in and i feel really spacy all most like I am on L.S.D or stoned. I feel really wierd about my perception of my suroundings, its like I am out of body. Has anyone felt like this do to the surgery or is my head just playing games with me.

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Recovery

I am 5 days post OP from PM for SSS and have a couple of questions. My BP has gone up to 163/93 and previously it was controlled at 130/80 or less with medication. Is this normal or should I be concerened? Also, I am still symtomatic, with light headed and dizzy and all I want to do is sleep. I wondered about the experience of others.

Thanks,
MH

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New Member

Had my PM implanted on 8/09/2007 and now in the recovery stage. There a lot of things I want to get back to doing. Golfing(normally 5 days a week), weight lifting (modified for PM), However, I will take my Doc's advice on the 60 days for golf and strennous exercise. I certainly don't want to pull a lead out. I found this group quite by accident and it is quite comforting to know that you can share your concerns with others in the same boat. I am still quite sore and black and blue from the...

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Thank you all for the encouragement!

Thank you all so much for the encouragement! The anxiety along with the pain is a Bear! I feel so alone and it is great to have this website. I stumbled on it accidently and I'm SO glad I did. All of your suggestions and info were very helpful. It's good to know that my feelings are normal and part of the process.

Cornellgirl

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New Pacemaker

Hi All,
I just had PM put in this past Friday and it is REALLY painful. Feels like it will never stop hurting. My arm's in a sling and I cannot sleep or eat much (i'm a chubby girl, so that's prob a good thing :)

I'm staying with my 24yr old daughter while recovering and it is a challenge since we both live alone & are quite independent. Fortunately my heart is healthy other than the Sick Sinus Syndrome they said I had which should be corrected by this PM. I have alot of anxiety...

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lost voice

I had my pm implanted on Friday. Sunday when I woke up I realized I could barely talk. This lasted most of the day and seemed a bit better at night. Today it is back to normal. Just wondered if anyone else experienced anything like this?
Judy

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Hi Dani

Sorry to hear you are headed for a pacer as well.
I have no family history. I actually got a virus and it went to my heart and I got ectopic atrial tachycardia. Long story short
it took 4 ablations to get rid of it and ended up with heart rate too slow and it stopping multiple times a day for 8 seconds.

I was very dizzy, short of breath, and had no exercise tolerance. It happened pretty quick after my last ablation. I do feel 100 % better since the pacer though, other than t...

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new to club!

Hi all
I am a new pacer pt. Just received pacer almost 3 months ago at 26 for SSS. I was wondering if anyone ever experienced increased pain in pocket and sharp electric like pain in lead area. I have a dual chamber that was placed under the muscle. I have had increased pain and low grade fevers( up to 101) over past two months. All blood cultures negative. Is this normal and has anyone had this? I am trying to convince myself it's normal but any experiences would be appreciated! Thanks

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Finally got my PM

Well everyone,

Finally got my PM yesterday. I am in a little pain and have been taking paracetemol (tylenol). My shoulder and wound area are sore. Feels weird when I breath in. I got a chest X ray yesterday and thy said that it was ok, but still have concerns.

I hope that it is just brusing and will sort it self out over the next few days.

Finding it difficult not using my arm, but I know how important that is.Still to attempt washing and drying my hair. That...

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Getting Nervous

Hi all, hope you are all well.

Well tomorrow is implant day, and I have to say I'm really nervous. I have read so many posts on here, but I still feel anxious. I know that the PM will make me feel so much better, I have heart block, so faint at the weirdest of moments.

I will be logging on frequently over the next few days.

Talk to u soon

fiona

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Pacemaker

On 6/8/2007 I had to go to the emergency room due to sharp chest pains, at first i didn't want to go thinking it was gas!!! but pain was getting worse so i decided it was time for me to go to the hospital. As soon as I got into the emergency I had a heart attack!!! my heart stoped for 5 seconds (flatline) hr later second heart attack, heart stops for 6 seconds, minutes later third heart attack, this time stops for 8 seconds, I only woke up for the cardiologist to tell me I needed a pacemaker and...

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Defective Pacemaker

Just recently had to replace my pacemaker (model #5370) because of a "defect". The surgery this time took alot out of me - can't seem to get my energy level back and I'm unable to walk long distances. Has anyone experienced this? It might be that I'm expecting too much too soon. My surgery was just last week. Would appreciate any comments or advice you might have to offer. Thanks.

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What's recovery time/process like?

After 15 years of dealing with an idiopathic arrythmia I've arrived at the point where it's time for a pacemaker - bottom end of my heart rate is now going too low. I'm pretty cool with the whole idea, given that I figured out 15 years ago that I'd need one of these things eventually. I'm just glad the technology exists and that it works - thanks to all those who have done this before me! So I go for my implant sometime in August.

But being the active (and otherwise healthy) person t...

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I went. I'm done!

Just got my 6th pacemaker implanted. For all of you that have to go for generator failure surgery, I'm getting to be an "old hat" at it. Still it causes a bit of trepidation. Mine is now finished and it went great. This is my 6th in 32 years with a dual implanted 25 years ago. I still have the same old wires, too. So far, this was the easiest yet. They really have improved their methods of reimplantation over the years.
I have gotten alot of really great information on this site and...

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Hello again

Hi all, hope that you are all doing well. I posted on this site a few weeks back as i had just found out that I needed a PM, i know have my date which is July 30. I am starting to get quite nervous and I no realise that i am about to get one.

This site has been so much help to me. I think it will be very important over the next few weeks.

Well you will be seeing alot more of me in the next few weeks.

Fiona

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You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.