Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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New To Me Boston Sci. Pacemaker

Hello,

Just now getting on with my recovery after recent implant. I was told initally the only time I will hear from the PM is when my pulse drops bellow set threashold. I have SSS with Syncope last past two years due to LBB. Finally the Dr. was able to see what was going on with a Bio-Tel Remote monitoring. Anyway that is the background. When I started to have symptoms Post Surgery of heart palpitations, hard to breath etc. The Dr. was not sure, maybe tacycardia but I said I was going...

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Feeling pacemaker?

Hi everyone, 

I'm 19 and just had my pacemaker implanted on April 16 after a positive tilt table test and a diagnosis of vasovagal syncope I think. My EP was really split on whether or not I should get the pacemaker because of my age and since I've had very few episodes, but my heart rate was practically 0 for about 15 seconds during the test and I didn't have any obvious triggers to when I've passed out in the past. After talking to my family and weighing...

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Post PM fitting underarm bruising

Hi all. I'm so grateful for this group, it's put my mind at rest on so many issues! I had a dual lead Medtronic PM fitted on 16 April, for AV heart block and a very low pulse. All seemed to go well, and I feel so much better than I have for months! However, I've noticed that since the procedure, my left underarm looks  discoloured. As I can't lift my arm properly at the moment, I can't tell if it's bruising or some weird skin problem. The texture of the skin feels...

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pacemaker and surgery

Pretty soon I need surgery for my torn rotator cuff. I have a pacemaker and now I am wondering how the anaesthesia will work with my pacemaker.

I am sure the anaesthetist needs to know about my pacemaker. Does anybody had surgery with a pacemaker and what are the results? I am very scared what will happen. Thank you

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Chest pain

Its been a month since implant and I have had a weird pressure/discomfort in the center of my chest.  Its almost like I had been coughing too hard for a long time but I haven't been coughing.   Sometimes aches in the same area of the chest when I swallow (I was NOT intubated) for the implant.  This has appeared off and on since the surgery but have felt it more in the last couple days.   

Any thoughts?   

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Very bruised left nipple

Two years ago I had a basic pm after AV node ablation, but I soon developed permanent Atrial flutter and  my LV function became moderately impaired. I also had two VT episodes a year apart. The latter in January, conveniently as I was walking up the stairs to the Cardio dept.   Cardio advised an upgrade to a CRT-D.  Had this done two weeks ago.  Have had a bumpy recovery so far and feeling pretty exhausted.    When I was allowed to s...

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Hard Lump at Incision Site

I am 65 and received ICD surgery on April 2. The level of pain, for the first 3 days afterward, took me aback. However, I am no longer in pain. I am pretty sure that there was no infection. The scar line has healed very neatly, no leakage, no discharge and the bruising has almost completely disappeared. 

My concern is that there is a hard mass (bulge) under the incision area which has not gone away. Is this a cyst, a keloid or the device itself? Will this go away o...

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Please help! Feeling awful after surgery + other concerns

Hi everyone! I could really use some guidance. So, I am 26 and got my pacemaker implanted four days ago. I know that pain/soreness in the incision is totally normal, but even despite this, I haven’t felt well since getting the pacemaker put in. A few things I’ve been experiencing:

  1. Sharp pain in my left side ribs around the mid-section
  2. Dizziness/lightheadedness + nausea
  3. Soreness on the right side of my neck, and inside my throat when I cough
  4. Back...

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Soar

Had my second pacemaker installed yesterday !

I had forgotten just how soar it was, 8 years ago.   Be good as new again in a week or so. 

Back buying , selling, overhauling engines and equipment.  Did I mention I am also retired ?  LOL !!

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Moving 1st PM Subcutaneous to Intra/Sub Pectoral

I just had my 1st PM implanted on 3/19/21 for AVB 2nd.  I had asked the surgeon a couple of times before surgery how would it look and more importantly would it be safe around my two very active Boxer Dogs.  He said just a "small bump," and "no problem" with the dogs.

However in reality, and I am feeling a great deal of concern and looking like Frankenstein(wife's word).  The device (Medtronic AsureXT) is significantly raised above the surroun...

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Nighttime sling use?

Hello all!  I had my PM put in on April 1st. The dressing has been removed (yes it's like Frankenstein) and I've had the device check. Everything looks good and is on track.  The site is very sore and any clothes touching it is uncomfortable but from what I've read that will go away.  My question is about sleeping. I know that I constantly raise both of my arms over my head during the night. I am using my left arm during the day without the sling  fol...

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is this normal

just got an afib ablation last Tuesday (April 6) and a 2 lead pacemaker Wednesday.Days are definitely better in terms of mental acuity and physical capacity (aside from surgery trauma).  Had a couple of pretty good nights and then last night (Saturday) was the worst episode of bizarre symptoms I've had since my discomfort hit the "I'm in trouble" level last August. Felt like an energy storm inside my body, with tingling feet, pounding, massive ringing in the ears,...

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Newbie

I just got my pacemaker after a whirlwind weekend of emergency phone calls from my cardiologist. I got the call at work to get to a hospital asap. Apparently when reviewing my halter monitor results they saw a 30 sec pause. Holy moley. Before this all my doctors just chocked my fainting episodes up to vasovagal. 

Its been 3 days and I feel some tightness and fluttering in my chest, occasional shortness of breath, and some pain at my incision sight. I understand this...

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Chest Discomfort and Shortness of Breath

Hi, I'm new to the club. I'm a 53 yo male, very active and workout 5-6 days/week. My resting HR was typically around 42-45 bpms. In mid January, I went to the cardiologist for a routine check-up. The EKG showed an abnormal pause in my heartbeat, which concerned my doctor. A holter confirmed I was experiencing pauses of up to 2.3 seconds, but was not experiencing any symptoms. He immediately sent me to see an EP,  who diagnosed Sick Sinus Syndrome and told me I was...

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Surgery done

I had my pacemaker put in on April 1st. I'm very happy to say that it all went well and so far has been nothing like I feared. Pain is minimal and Tylenol takes care of it. I can't really tell if there is a difference yet since I am taking it pretty easy since coming home yesterday. Trying to adhere to the doctors rules so that I don't do anything foolish and set myself back. I'm very glad that it is done and looking forward to healing and getting energy and stamina back 🙂

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Healing time

I had PM implanted 10 days ago on a "rush" and didn't have any preparation time. In addition, my lung was nicked so I have a small pneumothorax. It is hard to discern whether small stabs of pain on left side - arm, shoulder, chest - are from healing process of surgery and collapsed lung or more serious. And I have so little energy. Feeling a bit discouraged and anxious. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated. 

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Pulse

Received my pacemaker yesterday I can feel the pulse signal. Hard to go to sleep. Is this normal or is it a setting 

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About to get a pm

Hey everyone!! 
i am about to get a pm soon, I am very very nervous and scared about the recovery. I have decided that I want to implant the pm in the muscle so I won't be able to look at the lump on my skin as I am very anxious. Who has the pm implanted in the muscle? Can you tell me about the recovery? Is it very painful? How long does it take to recover? 
thank you

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first checkup

Hi, I've had my pacemaker 2 weeks. Friday had my first check up. I was very nervous as to what it look like under the bandage. I'm happy to say it looked really good. I was very nervous but everything was fine. Arm soreness is still there but it's getting better. I wondered why there was a tingling sensation around my pacemaker I was told it's part of the healing with the nerves. So that made me feel better. I'm  still  nervous about over using  my left...

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PM to ICD

Got my device upgraded from PM to ICD to handle the sustained vtac episodes.My EP had to extract 2 leads by going through the groin and luckily it went smooth.I guess its one silver lining of having surgeries done at a relatively young age.Now I am Bi-V paced and the pain isn't too bad.Hoping to get back to my IT work in a couple of days. WFH due to covid means I dont have to commute atleast till June and may be longer.Thank you for all your encouraging words and support.BTW the name I ch...

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