Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

Post Message!

Sleeping

Hi everyone ! 

It's been 2 months since my ICD surgery. It's on my left side. I've been sleeping on my right side ever since. Haven't slept on my left side yet. I'm worried I'll move the pacemaker or squish on it or make it sore by pressing on it ?! However. When I turn on my right side, my breasts are quite heavy so when I turn, my left breast pulls down on my pacemaker and it hurts. And I wonder if it's moving the leads. Don't know how to get...

Read More...

Wearing a bra

Hi, I am 38 years old and suffered a cardiac arrest back in Janurary. They had to revive me twice. I was in a coma for 2 weeks and spent a month and a half in the hospital. They inserted a pacemaker/defibrillator on February 7th. Ever since, I have avoided wearing a bra with straps, one with support, because I'm scared by wearing one that it pushes up the breasts, and by doing so, it's pushing up against the pacemaker. I am scared it might move the leads ? Shift the pacemaker out of p...

Read More...

Pacemaker and propranolol

I am new to this forum so I am delighted to find you and sent this first to an outdated list but a kind person put me right.

 I am repeating myself therefore but I had my PM done only last week in London and will eventually be paced at St Thomas's. My op feels ok but I am one of those with a Sick sinus and have Brady and Tachycardia. The PM should cope with the Brady but other than an AV node ablation which I am unhappy about I am trying to cope with the Tachycardia with Propra...

Read More...

Update!

Testing continues for my upcoming aortic valve replacement #2

Just had an angiogram and everything is clear!

Scheduled for a femoral artery & heart CT Scan in a few weeks. After that, I'll sit with the surgeon again about my options.

In the meantime, I've been "negotiating" with my EP. He wasn't wanting to push my MTR above the default 130 due to my severe insufficiency. I finally convinced him that I would be carefull and he put it at 150 whic...

Read More...

How to phrase this.... for the ladies?

.... hmm. So. I'm 2 weeks (tomorrow) since surgery, and had my first checkup, staples removed (steristrips in place), and I think things have been tweaked as I'm not as light heated and having as many kerthump or palpitations moments as pre-appointment - HOWEVER - something is still vexing me - and I don't know if it's a girl with ample bosoms thing - or if men can relate - but.... I feel like I have to hold my left boob all the time when I'm walking. Which looks stupid, a...

Read More...

post recovery shortness of breath

I am 5 days post surgery. I have a biventrical CRT-D pacemaker. I am still experiencing shorntess of breath at about the rate of 25% as before surgery. Not to the degree before surgery but still with little physical exertion. Called my docs office and the nurse read by bluetooth report and said my heart and pacemaker were functioning "normally." They are not. I have intermittent pain on the right side of my heart and the aforementioned shortness of breath.

Could the PM be...

Read More...

Lasting pain

Hi all,

I posted this message earlier today and got notification that someone responded. Unfortunately, when I wanted to check the comment I was locked out of my account and my message was gone. So trying again.

First I would like to tell you how a joy it is to read all the support en knowledge that is shared among you guys. It’s heart warming.

Here’s hoping you can settle some of my anxiety as well.

My story is a long an complex one. I’m 29 year old...

Read More...

Pacemaker replacement

Hi does anyone have an epicardal  pacemaker? If so what is the surgery, hospital stay and recovery time, mine is due to be replaced for the first time?

Read More...

Heart rate during exercise

Hello again

I've been dual chamber paced since January after aortic valve replacement surgery resulted in total heart block. I’ve noticed recently that my heart rate during exercise can be as low as my resting heart rate. An example from today, whilst doing a 3.5 mile walk I encountered a steep hill which was hard work to walk up. I checked my heart rate at the top of the hill and it was around 60bpm which is my normal resting heart rate. I was quite surprised by this as I fel...

Read More...

So new to this

Had pacemaker implanted almost 3 weeks ago.  Dr. also put me on propafenon - 1 every 12 hours.  Was so wiped out, couldn't sleep at night then slept during day.  Head congested, constipated.  So Dr. changed it to 1 a day. We will see if that makes a difference.  My question is, if I have a Pacemaker why do I need a med as well. My blood pressure has always been on the lower end.  

Read More...

New pacemaker

Hey I just had my pacemaker replaced and I'm only on day 2 but still having a lot of soreness what is a good way to deal with the soreness outside of the medicine I was prescribed 

Read More...

New pacemaker

I am a new member. I had my pacemaker fitted four weeks ago.

I am experiencing chronic fatigue. I sleep nine hours at night and at least

l hour in the day. I feel so tired all the time. Not what I was expecting.

Can anyone advise. Thanks. Y 

Read More...

New member

My husband had an ICD implanted last Tuesday .  His discharge instructions stated "return to normal activities" - Wednesday!  He is still fatigued and sore and just generally aches. No fever, no palpitations, chest pain, etc, and the incision looks great.  Just curious as to when most people return to work.  He has a desk job but I'm concerned about him working with this level of fatigue. To me, it's to be expected.  So I'm baffled by t...

Read More...

Device change when dependent

Hi all

I was wondering how a device is changed if the patient is 100% pacemaker dependent. Very quick swap over or do they put a temporary device in place?

John

Read More...

Yet another update! Getting closer to AVR #2!

I saw the cardiothoracic surgeon today. She wants to delay doing anything with my aortic valve due to all the positive changes that the new device is having on my heart function.

I've been complaining about shortness of breath while exercising and now I know why. My device is set to a max upper limit of 130bpm. I hit that easily :). I asked them when they implanted it if they could use the same settings as the last device and they said that they would! I worked hard to get those set...

Read More...

Recovery in Children

Hi Everyone! I am 19 years old, getting a pacemaker placed in May for junctional braccycardia with pauses. I was wondering what the recovery was like. If anyone has anything to share please do! Thank you!

Read More...

Post pm loss of consciousness

Hi, i am 71y/m.  i had an episode of loss of consciousness 4 days after surgery. Is it normal?? Dis anyone else face this. No cardiac event was discovered on pacemaker. Doctor told probably its vascular or neurological event.

Read More...

Lifting non-affected arm

Hi, 

I just got my first pacemaker a bit more than two weeks ago, and I have questions about moving my arm while recovering. I was wondering whether my non-affected arm had any restrictions (e.g., not lifting more than 10 lbs, raising my arm above my shoulder).

Thanks! 

 

Read More...

Palpitations

Hi

I am 6 days post op and I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but this morning I am having a fair bit of palpitations, is this normal? No pain, just usual surgery discomfort. 

I don't want to phone and ask stupid question.

I'm guessing it's just settling down and doing it's job. Also I have neck tenderness, wouldn't call it pain, and the same discomfort along my collar bone. 

I had a medronic 2 lead, they couldn't find the usual...

Read More...

Pacemaker

Thanks for the information regarding the dizzy spells and the links..

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Three months of free Internet comes with each device.

Member Quotes

I am no expert, but I believe that without the defibrillator that I have, I would be dead.