Hello all...

I had my pacemaker implanted on the 23rd of February. I was diagnosed with tachycardia, bradycardia, & a 2nd degree av block. It has surely been an interesting experience. They did an EP study at the same time, they were hoping that they would be able to cause my heart to be tachycardic & ablate the cause. No such luck. =(

They were unable to sedate me, I would doze for 2 or 3 minutes, be groggy for 10 or so then be awake until they gave me more sedatives. It was crazy. The doctors & hospital staff were all amazing, there was no fear at any point. Even when things went a different direction than desired they were calm & put my mind at ease immediately!

They put in a Medtronic dual chamber adapta pacemaker. It is healing up very well, he did an incredible job stitching me up, used dissolvable stitches on the inside, scraped the skin flaps so they were very thin & glued me back together. Put an oval of glue over it to seal it up & voila! Unfortunately we learned that I metabolize pain medication just as quickly as sedatives so it has been a pretty painful recovery. The 1st night was the worst, going through different drugs like I was tasting wine...Finally settled on alternating Deladid's and Tramadol (probably misspelled those) every 2 hours. That worked farely well. The pain relief would only last 30-45 minutes before it wore off & I was left with nausea. My EP told me I was very tough, said he had never seen anything like it. Said he had given me enough sedatives to sedate 3 large men. Crazy.

So now the glue is starting to wear off, all appears to be healing well underneath. It has been one week today. These was swelling for 4 or 5 days, slight bruising, (I posted pictures in the gallery taken on day 4) and it is tender. The inside burns a bit from time to time but that, too is lessening. Every day seems to get better.
My energy level is so much better now that the block is gone. What a difference it made. It is still a bit frustrating that the tachycardia is there, we are unsure where we go next with it all. I go in for my 1st check on the 12th. I miss driving & sex...don't miss the housework so much. The vacation from laundry is great! Loving it! So far all is well, thanks for all the well wishes. Sorry it took me so long to get on here. Take care all!

 

 

I am so happy to hear that you are feeling well. It is such a relief to hear that you have had such a positive outcome and experience especially as we often here the negative ones. Keep us updated!

 

Hi. I can relate Jessie. I just had my implant on the 25th, except one of the leads came loose and they had to go back in on the 26th. But you made me laugh at the part about going through drugs like tasting wine, lol. I'm the same way, nothing really works for me for the pain. The strongest pain meds they gave me was Tylenol with codeine. They might as well have given me baby asprin! So I've been switching from Tylenol to Advil to the Tylenol with codeine. I'm surprised I haven't OD'd on the meds by now.
When I was on the table in the OR they said I was moving around a lot so the totally knocked me out with general anethesia!
I'm glad you're recouperating well. I have all this "new" energy too, but I can't move to fast because I'll start aching again. Anyway, good luck to you!

 

Hi Jessie,
I too am fairly new. My PM was implanted Jan 25. But everyday just gets better. I was amazed and knew I felt better after a week like you. Just wait until you are 4 to 6 weeks out. It seems everyday I notice "things" that are better, that I had not realized were even "bad". My bradycardia had gotten worse slowly and I was just adjusting my life to fit it. WOW! Isn't it Grand to feel Good!!
You got lots to look forward too.....
Good Luck and keep us posted

Cherell

 

Hi! I'm Francine1. My story is very similiar to yours. You can see it titled NO PIECE OF CAKE. I too burned up the "sedation" and the local as well. My PM was placed on 2/11/10. After all the other challenges thru this when I went in for my follow up they removed the steristrips and found I had been also having an allergic reaction to the adhesive and I also had a small drainage area close to my shoulder. Have to return for another re-check in 2 weeks. I am slowly getting better. I'm glad you feel so wonderful. Isn't this a great support site?!

 

It is my 1 week anniversary since my PM was put in for 3rd degree heart block. I am somewhat the opposite of you guys. After the surgery I was given only 1 percoset and 2 hours later I asked for Tylenol, which seemed to help me better. I was given another percoset upon request the next morning and felt loopy. After that when I came home I did ok with 1 extra strength Tylenol at bedtime for the first 3 nights at home. (I've always had a pretty high tolerance for pain)

Last night the incision site felt itchy. Husband said that was a good sign. The only thing I have done is put a piece of gas between my incision and bra strap so that it doesn't rub.

Yeah, I don't miss the housework either, but I just keep thinking how much work I will have once I fully recover. teardrop falls on keyboard.

I ordered a hairdryer stand online and hope it comes soon before I decide to chop it all off and make my life easier.

Keep letting us know about your progress as we can keep tabs on each other.

 

just read my comment and insert "gauze" for gas. I do that alot (not pass gas but write the wrong word) lol

 

About time you got back Jessi for we have been missing you. Very glad to hear things went okay and you are recovering nicely. Pain medication? What is that? I was told to take "a tylenol" if it got bad and that would be better for me in the recovery process.I think I should have been supplied with a 5 gallon bucket of morphine. They were probably right though.
Your site looks good. Mine looks like a hockey puck sticking out. No wait,,, lets not talk about hockey right now.
Congrats to the Candians in their victory!
Keep the good news coming!
Dwight

 

Way to go girl.

I'm happy for you.

If I lived by you, I'd come do your laundry....I love washing and drying clothes for some strange reason.

Take care and get lots of rest.

Hugs,
Pookie