Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Swelling above pm scar, feeling sad

I am 9 days after surgery. When I took dressing and steri strips off I was  shocked by what I saw. Above the scar line is swollen and misshapen. I phoned hospital yesterday and they called me on for a look at it. The doctor said it’s just swelling although the nurses were convinced it was a harmatoma. 

The doctor told me to take 5 days course of paracetamol. The swelling is painful. They did blood tests and they were clear. 

I hate looking at my scar and even...

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Partially open incision 2 weeks later

I got my first PM on July 30th. On Tuesday, the bottom of my incision started bleeding old brown blood. My EP sent me to the wound clinic, and I got the incision debrided and flushed with antibiotics. I go back next Tuesday. I have to change the dressing and repack the open hole at the bottom with collagen, so I took off the bandage today, and the top 3/4 of the incision looks great, but the bottom is still very open and deep and bleeding old blood still. Has anyone else experienced this...

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Knitting after pm

Hi

does anyone know if it’s ok to knit after pm op? I am on day 6. Wasn’t sure if the repetitiveness of knitting would be a problem. 

Thanks 

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Right sided shoulder and chest pain

Hi all! I’m new to the club. I am a 36 year old mom of 4. I was diagnosed with SSS/bradycardia. I had a St. Jude PM implanted 4 days ago. I was just wondering if anyone else experienced pain on the right side of the chest that radiates to the back?  It feels better when I ice it and take something for the pain, but once the meds wear off the pain is horrible. I expected to have pain on my left side, wear they implanted the PM...Not sure if this is normal due to sleeping w...

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Visibility of an ICD/ pacemaker

I’m now 4 weeks post op and now the swelling has all but gone the implant is quite visible and shows even when wearing a fitted t shirt.

I’m an athletic build,  not particularly skinny. I was wondering does the implant sink more into the chest/ muscle as time goes on ? 

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pacemaker replacement

Hi guys, some advice please.  In two weeks they are replacing my 18 month old 2 lead St Jude with a Metronic CRT-D.  This is to correct a LBBB that was caused by the current pacemaker. MY EF was 32%.  Doc said I didn't really need an ICD but current thinking is if you're puttingin a CRT you might as well make it a CRT-D.  He also want to remove one of the leads. 

Your thoughts?  Any advice?  What should I expect?

Thanks in advance.

...

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Confused

I just had a Medtronic Azure XT DR MRI Surescan pacemaker implanted 4 days ago.  (Bradycardia, heart stopped for 5 seconds, was told blood was filling top chambers, but not going to bottom chambers)
I am lost--my doctors have told me next to nothing. I am assuming its a duel chamber, since there are stickers for two leads. (was never told)
Im reading that I should have been told what it was set to pace at before I left the hospital--nope! No clue about this. I have been trackin...

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New pacemaker

Hi 

I am 28 years old and had my first pacemaker for 20 years. Due to complications with my pacemaker I had to have my new one fitted pretty quickly this week. As this is only my second pacemaker and I was so young when I got my first one I didn’t know what to expect with the pain level. It has been nearly a week and I’m still taking the pain medication. Is this normal? How long have yous taken off work etc? And when can you get back to the gym 

thanks&n...

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Pacemaker Procedure in the UK

Hi,

 

I have been diagonised with sinus bradycardia and have had 3 fainting episodes in the past 10months. Cardiologists analysis of my result and condition consistently states that the need for a pacemaker is trigered. However, i am scared of taking the operation in my country of residence to avoid complications.

 

Ill appreciate if anyone can assit with a link to an hospital in the UK that can provide cost indication for the procedure (all accompanying cost...

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NERVE PAIN AFTER PM

Hi All I had my PM fitted on the 22nd and also ILR removed The pacemaker was fitted due to a 6 second stop but I also suffer AF , I was given GA as my anxiety levels are not good .  When I came round the pain going down my arm was excruciating and nothing they gave me touched the pain this continued for a few days and finally started to settle. Its like nerve pain its horrible.  I thought I was out of the woods by Thursday 3 days after the opp and didnt feel I needed the pain k...

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Driving after getting a pacemaker.

My surgeon said I should wait three months to drive after getting my pacemaker. My was implanted one month ago. This seems like a long time not to drive. Every thing I’ve read online says three to seven days. Has anyone been told to wait this long and why? 

Thanks

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Recovery - still short of breath

Hi everyone,  I am a newbie.  I had my pacemaker put in on July 24th.  Just to give a little background - I have a rare disease called TTR Amyloidosis. It's where amyloids attack my heart and stiffen it, thereby making pumping of the heart an issue.  As a result I am in a clinical trial study for my disease.  I have been experiencing a lot of shortness of breath of late and the usual symptoms of congestive heart failure, bloating, etc..  My doctor suggested t...

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Can I take the stairs in my apartment and office after my pacemaker inplantation?

Can I take the stairs in my apartment and office after two weeks my pacemaker inplantation?

Can someone help me with their experience. How long should I avoid these things and all.

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Aggressive heartbeat feeling in stomach 3 days post op. PM.

Hello,

First time biven pm patient here due to a left bundle branch block, pvc's, history of heart failure and cardiomyopathy. I am very sore due to placement on a left frozen shoulder and finding recovery a bit overwhelming. My newest symptom is a very disturbing pulsing in my stomach which I'm guessing is diaphragmatic pacing but I have only heard this in people who have pm's placed behind their stomach so I am perplexed. I have them 4-5 x/daily and sometimes it pulses so...

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Post op. Raising arm.

I am recovering from having an ICD fitted a couple of days ago. I have been strict and disappointed with doctors orders however I recently woke from an afternoon nap and stretched out lifting my arm higher than it’s supposed to go. 

I’m a bit paranoid about this as I know lifting your arm increases the chances of dislodging the leads. Perhaps I’m overeacting but as I can get hold of the nurse I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge on how sensitive t...

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Third Abliation

I have had two failed ablations for AVNRT, the second one left me with third degree heart block and a dual chamber pacemaker. The doctors now want to do a third ablation as I am having several ARNRTs per week and they are not controlled with medicane.

The other issue I still have is that when I pace in the bottom chamber I get a real sick feeling. I get week and feel nauseaand since I pace about 40% of the time in the lower chamber this is not good. I am 54 years old and was very active...

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Justi got my pacemaker replaced with a

Boston Scientific Accolade EL DR L331 and a new home monitor real fancy stuff. They gave me back the old stuff. I was more paintful than the first pacemaker because of the wires. It is supposed to be MRI safe.

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Waiting for Pacemaker

I'm 29, F, and i was diagnosed with complete AV block just recently.

All my life i was asymptomatic, I never really felt dizziness, chest pains or lightheadedness (or so i thought, cause i think i don't have any other comparison). I lead a very normal life. I play sports at least twice a week and I even went skydiving just the previous month.

One day, I was on my third day of fasting for my religion (dinner only), I went out with my friends to have dinner. I was makin...

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My heart stopped for over 6 seconds whilst sleeping

HI All , I have suffered AF now for 19 years I have had 3 ablations 2 sucessful and the last one was aborted when they caught my throat during a Transesophageal echocardiogram which meant they could not continue to do the ablation as they could not give me blood thinnners . So I have been on Bisoprolol for the last 2 years , which calms the AF a little but lately I have been getting what I can only describe as pausing of the heart , I have a ILR device implanted.  Last week the...

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1 day post insertion

The research I did before I had my pacemaker did not prepare me.  My pacemaker was put in yesterday.  I am shocked at how my scar looks.   Is there a way to post a pic on this forum so someone can tell me if this looks normal? 

 

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