Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Ablation for Afib

Hello! I had a pacemaker put in July 30th. I have Sick Sinus Syndrome and Afib. My first electrophysiolgist said an ablation wouldn't help. I sought out a 2nd opinion because I am on a large dose of sotalol, still having issues with my Afib and chronic fatigue. I'm young (41) and really want the quality of my life to improve. The new doctor wants to do an ablation and thinks she can get get my medication lowered or remove the need for it. I am wondering if anyone has experienced...

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Anyone else feel the pacemaker pacing a lot?

I am a 40 year old female 4 weeks post op. I am 100% dependent on the pacemaker as I have complete heart block.  Everyday seems to get better but wanted to ask a couple of things to some of you who have had a pacemaker for a while.  I can feel what I assume is the pacing a lot. It is very noticeable at random times of the day regardless of how active I am and very noticeable when I lay on my left side.  Is this normal?  Will I get used to it or will it go away?  Also...

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Drainage

Hi, I'm 22 years old and had my first pacemaker inserted on the 17/10/2019 (less than 1 week ago) 

They have put a clear dressing over the surgical site so I'm able to see the wound. I'm not sure if everyone gets the same or not! 

I've noticed some drainage since the day after my surgery that I did assume was normal but what I'm not sure about is the colour.. 

Its milky white right across the incision and a small separate area that is a tad...

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This pain!!

I am 26 days post op from PM and still experiencing a great deal of pain.  My site area feels tight, heavy and burns. Stretching of sort is terrible. I have been to see the technician and all appears fine.  Anyone have any feedback on real recovery time??  I am already sick of living with this.  

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Generator Replacement

Has anyone experienced an achiness in their chest above the generator pocket following replacement?  I had just the generator replaced on September 3, 2019, and still find myself experiencing a general achiness.  I wasn't sure how long it would take for it to "settle," and don't recall this with my first one.  I also seem to be expereincing "drops" in my heart rate down into the 50s which I only had when my pacemaker needed replacing.  

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How long does it take for Symptoms to improve

Hi good people, this site is so informative and helpful. So looking for some insights for my Husband please.

He had his Pacemaker upgraded on Thursday from a two lead to a three lead (CRT-P) due to his EF dropping from 55 to 40 in the space of 6 month. This was due RV pacing 80% causing dyssincrony.  I wondered how long it took other to see some benefit from this procedure, did it help with th EF and symptoms? I would love to hear other people's experience o...

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1st day home with PM

Hi all...new here....

I just got home from my PM surgery. Diagnosed with Bradychardia...rate suddenly started dropping to below 20-30 bpm while at work....dual chamber PM only with no defib....

47 year old male, generally healthy with no previous serious medical issues.

Experiencing pretty significant pain and discomfort at surgical site on first day home. Was not given any pain meds to take...just antibiotic and told to take aspirin and otc meds for pain but that's not...

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Third lead being added

Just wondering if anyone has had a third lead added to their two lead pacemaker at all please and what your experience of this was/is. My Husband is having this procedure on Thursday also a generator change. Thank you. 
 

Sue

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Recovery - Short of Breath

Hi All,

Just got my transvenous ICD/pacemaker for Brugada a week ago and I’m trying to gauge what’s normal in recovery. I’m 33 and otherwise healthy, and everything seems to be healing well from the surgery from what I can see. The issue is after a week of resting I’m still getting quite winded and out of breath when I am standing or doing much for more than a few minutes.

It looks like lots of people start to feel more or less back to normal around th...

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Surgical dressing

Hi, I’m new to the group.  Just had my pacemaker put in on Thursday, 9/26/19. They also removed my heart loop.  I guess I have a silly question.  My doctor told me to remove my surgical dressing today (Saturday). I was able to remove the dressing from my heart loop but the dressing for the pacemaker is giving me trouble.  The gauze is sticking to the surgical glue and I’m afraid to force it.  Of course it’s Saturday so the doctors office is closed an...

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Post Cardiac Injury Syndrome

Hello, I’m a 62 yr old female, had pacemaker surgery on Sept 12, 2019. During the procedure I woke up with excruciating pain in the right side of my chest chest. They were having trouble controlling the bleeding from the surgery site and also had to redo the leads. After surgery, I continued to complain about the pain in my right side when I took a breath or moved, the surgery site was not causing much discomfort. This right side chest pain has continued and on Sept 24 I saw my Primary,...

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Lead extraction

I’ve just learned my lead has failed and I need an extraction. I know it’s conolicated and carries risks. I’m wondering how you all have done. Also, getting a new placement of the new generator under the pectoral muscle and am a bit freaked by that - the recovery specifically. Any experiences would help me. Thanks! 

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Replacement surgery tomorrow

I'm scheduled to have my pacemaker replaced tomorrow.  I've had this one (my first one) for almost 11 years.  I went for a checkup back in March and they said come back in 6 months.  Went last week and they told me it should have been replaced in June.

I have no pain tolerance at all and was wondering about recovery time with the replacement.  I work at a sit down office job, although I do have to reach over my head from time to time during the day.  I f...

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No sure what to expect

Hi everyone.  I'm a 56 yr old male, that had no symptoms and collapsed at work on 9/11. I did have a right bundle branch block diagnosed about 15 years ago, but it had never caused any problems. I've always walked and kept myself in decent shape, as I have two college golfer sons that I follow.  I've walked 18 and 36 holes a day with no problems.

On 9/11 I collapsed at work, concussed (which I was told probably helped restart me) along with a pretty deep gash on th...

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a little nervous

HI all you wired people My name is Trish. I'm a 56 year old woman. Moderatly active. with a huge personality. I'm getting my pacemaker for the firstime. Don't really know what to expect. They didn't tell me much and I'm trying not to google it to death . Any words of incouragement would be welcome. Nothing that would be scary please. I'm thinking of calling it Metro (short for metronome)

Kind regards, Trish 

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4 days post surgery

Had my PM surgery on Thursday Sept 12, 2019. Even though I had trouble with bleeding, lead placement , and new medication (Cardizem), I was able to go to Zumba class today, Sept 16! During surgery, they had trouble stopping the bleeding, but finally got it under control, then the doctor didn’t like the placement of the leads and had to do it over, before they had closed. I have SSD, bradycardia-tachycardia and dr put me on Cardizem, which didn’t agree with me, dropped my BP to 80/...

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CRT-D

Hi, I’m due to have a pacemaker inserted under the muscle as apparently I’m too skinny to have it placed in the usual position. Can anyone tell me the recovery differences for this procedure? I’m a secondary school teacher and would also like to know when I can go back to work.

 

thanks.

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Can't bring arm across body

Hi everyone,

I just had my first PM implanted on 12 Sep (3 days ago). I've noticed that when I try to bring my left arm (affected arm) across my body, it's extremely uncomfortable (ie, far more comfortable than any other movement with the arm). My PM is implanted subcutaneously in the area where that movement occurs (below the collarbone, above the armpit, very close to [almost seems to be along the line of] where my shoulder bends to allow pulling the arm across the body)....

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pacemaker surgery

I am getting my pacemaker tomorrow.  This is all new to me.  Can I expect to feel differently almost immediately.  I feel a little tired all the time and cannot excercise strenuously as my heart rate does not stay up with my level of exersion.   I'll find out soon enough but was thought I'd ask.  Thanks for any replies. 

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airbag grocery store

Hi today did finally drive.  The airbag was not my concern.  I have a right shoulder that either should be replaced, or have bone graft.  I have Avascular Necrosis in it.    For the past 6 months my left arm was doing all.  Which is one of the reasons i did not drive sooner.  Needed to be able to use the left one some.    Which i did , of course could not figure where to place the seatbelt,  let alone how to attach the belt.  Now as i get...

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I love this new part of me, and very, very thankful that this technology exists and I know that it's all only going to get better over time.