Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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PM to ICD with lead extraction

Hi all,

I see there've bene numerous posts recently about swapping out PMs for ICDs. I am scheduled to have such a surgery in two weeks. (I am an otherwise healthy 52 yo female with PM for three years owing to bradycardia and complete heart block. I recently learned I have a rare genetic cardiac disease that also puts me at risk for sudden death. Hence the ICD.) I would love to hear from anyone on the forum who has opted to have a lead extracted (rather than left in place)...

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procedure confirmed

Hi everyone, 

Just to check in, I have had my operation confirmed for January 21st at Great Ormand Street Hospital. On the 12th of January they would like me to do an exercise test, apparently this is a normal thing before getting a new pacemaker, I never knew this? 
 

Im feeling quite positive about this as I'm sure getting the new pacemaker will help a lot, 

Hayden

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Epicardial lead revision

I had an  dual epicardial lead revision June of this year (which made it  my 3rd heart surgery this year) after 2 failed attempts to place a lead on left side. I have a left bundle branch block, cardiomyopathy and CHF. I still am having at times severe pain at incision sight/ribs if  I wear anything remotely snug around that area.  I was just wanting  to see if someone could share their experience with this surgery that has been postop longer than me. Thanks...

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CRT-P placement

It's me again. CRT-P implanted Nov.19th. I can't get over how much bigger and visible this thing is :(  It also seems a lot closer to my side/armpit. My bra strap irritates it and it feels like little pinches or shocks. It is also extremely uncomfortable when reaching for things and trying to sleep. (I'm a side sleeper)

Do they ever go back qnd reposition it? It feels ans looks as if it is directly under my skin. My dual-chamber didn't look or feel so close to the s...

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Pocket revision

Has anyone had a pocket revision to bury the device deeper under muscle? I have had pain for 4 month, since getting my device, and that's what they are considering doing. They say some poeople are more comfortable with it buried deeper ad he hopes that will resolve the daily pain I have. There is ot a single day that I am without pain, since my August implantaion.

Anyone?

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Pain

Hello everyone.  I am a newbie with a Medtronic 2 lead PM that was put in 3 days ago.  I have stage 2 heart block, Morbiz II.  I'm 67 year old female that is a little over weight.  With the onslot of the heart block I have had very little activity  because my pulse would drop so low and I would be exhausted. Since I have gotten the PM, I feel great with a normal, non erratic pulse. 

My question is with the pain I am experiencing in the incision site.&nb...

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New PM

Hi everyone. Just got a 2 lead PM put in on 12/10 for bradycardia. Went home after 12 hours in surgery center. Couldn't get comfortable all night with severe neck stiffness. Called my EP next morning. While waiting for response I developed shortness of breath and went to ER, then admitted to hospital. Long story short I'd developed pneumonia. Covid test negative. After 2 days in hospital im being discharged today. Here's my question for you: im having twinges right over the PM imp...

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Symptoms after pacemaker implant

I have had my pacemaker for 5;weeks now to treat my bradycardia.  I am still experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath and palpitations.  These symptoms do not happen everyday but now and then.  I do not know what brings them on.  I am doing light exercises to try and keep fit. Just thinking how long will it take to feel normal again? Any information will be greatly,appreciated.

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Another Question

Mannnnnnnnnn. 
I'm just full of questions. I am 19 days out from getting a CRT-P and it is SO big and feels SO close to the surface. I had to really feel my chest to find my previous pm was it was nearly completely flat.This feels like it sticks out about 1/4 inch. Also, it is so painful to the touch and sends out random shooting pain that sting like a bee. I know it hasn't been that long but the entire area above the pacemaker feels like the nerves are all just under my ski...

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Subdermal vs Subpectoral

Fairly new to this site and I've seen subdermal & sebpectoral mentioned. Is this something decided between patient and doc or not ? I'm on a waiting list but no idea if there will be a pre op chat as there wasn't for my ablation back in March.

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911

After thinking I had pulled a lead loose I spent several hours in the ER. When sitting up on the sofa last night, I felt a quick stabbing pain in the middle of my chest. I called my physician's nurse line and they advised me to go to the ER. My chest x rays showed the leads were in place. The ER doctor told me I had pericardial pain from the pacemaker and that it may continue. He have me a prescription for pain. Has this happened to anyone else?

Thank you for your comments. Thi...

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Confused

Hi I'm 5 days after pm fitted, and confused about the do's and don't

Microwaves mobile phones security at airport's having a drink 

Any advice 

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Post-op psin

Hello yet again. I had a CRT-P implanted almost 5 days ago and the incision is extremely painful. The doctor's office was able to call in a prescription for 12 tablets of hydrocodone w/acetaminophen but I've only taken a couple since Saturday. I've been using a combination of two extra strength Ibuprofen and one extra strength tylenol together every 6 hours that my PCP had recommended.He said that particular combination works really well as an alternative to opiods...

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Question

I only recently found out that I needed a CRT pacemaker. I had no symptoms, I.e heaviness in chest or shortness of breath prior to getting the pacemaker last Friday. Now I have both of these issues. I'm not sure why this is happening now?

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New CRT-P on Tuesday 11/17/2020

Hello everyone.... I have not been on here for a very long time becuz I was so well......In 2009 I had a fainting spell and landed in the hospital where the next couple of days it was decided that I would have a Pacemaker ADAPTA DR 2wire for comlplete heart block... so for 11 years my PM lasted without any problems...well back in June 2020 I felt things were not going so good...like I was having SOB problems..so hence the EKG and the Echo which showed that I was in Heart Failure... I was shoc...

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New CRT device on 11/11, lower rate set at 90?

So I am home from my sternotomy mitral repair where they also added a third lead and swapped out dual chamber for crt.  The day before I left the hospital ( 4 nights ago) I found out they have my lower rate set at 90.  They said this is normal and they will lower it later but my next follow up isn't for 30 days.  Is this normal? It is very unpleasant especially since I have svt I am waiting to have abated so I am almost always tachy now.

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Implantation question.

Implantation done 9 days ago. I saw the EP several days ago and he said he didn't make a pocket. He said where the device is will form a "capsule " He said I'm thin and a pocket couldn't be done. He has no concern about this. The device did move but it's still anchored. It was anchored some distance from the incision, ( maybe 1 in.)

I don't know much about devices, but I have not heard of no pocket and could not find it on a search. The only thing I found w...

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shoulder pain after surgery

How long does the pain in the back of the shoulder last. I've had the op 2 weeks and the pain is really bad.

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PM newly implanted and what to expect during recovery...

Hello everyone, my name is Amanda and I had my PM implanted on 3 Nov 2020 due to complete heart block. Totally out of the blue and I'm still coping with this unexpected situation. So lucky that I found this forum and got so many information/ experience sharing from everyone here. (I'm from Hong Kong and there is no this type of platform in my city.)

I have few questions above what I felt after the surgery and how to handle the recovery. Looking forward t...

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Question again.

I'm sorry about continually asking questions since my implant  5 days ago.

This might just be because swelling is going down but I'm pretty sure there is a rather hard line under my strips that close the incision that I didn't notice before. It is a little more sore too.

I was seen yesterday by the device nurse for the device moving. He thought the incision "looked good," although you can't actually see it. I don't think this line was there then,...

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You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker is the best thing that every happened to me, had I not got it I would not be here today.