Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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pacemaker surgery

Hi
I am heart patient.And doctor suggested that Pacemaker surgery.
my report is as follows.
CHF
Dilated cardiomyopathy.
Sever LV dysfunction.
LVEF 19%;
Do u think surgery is necessary.
Please suggest.
Thanks.

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Breast Pain

My PM was implanted 5/26. I'm experiencing mild to severe pain in my breasts. I'm female. I would say a 6 on the pain scale. The pain goes all around my torso (underarms, breasts, back, ribs - like a band). I have never experienced this type pain. It started after the PM surgery and I've been free of it for maybe one week in the interim. I have it now. My boobs feel larger and heavier when I have the pain. My doctor told me that women react differently than men to the surgery. Any encou...

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Nerve Pain?

Hi everyone,

I have had a tough few months in dealing with my pacemaker. I had to get a new pacemaker and wire ectractions since I had a damaged lead.
I had the surgery on June 4th and the surgery was a success. The problem that I have now is that I seem to be getting pain under my left armpit which feels like burning. I also seem to get short sharp stabbing pains around the upper left center of my chest. I saw my doctor and he thinks it may be due to the pacemaker compress...

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Implant site pain?

I got my Medtronic PM a week ago tomorrow, for a third stage block. The surgical site is still painful, especially near the shoulder where the muscle (or tendon?) connects to the chest. No redness, fever, or sign of infection. Also, I have at least as many dizzy spells as before, though milder, and new symptoms--palpitations and a sensation like my heart's jumping in my chest, a sort of "ka-chunk" feeling. Anyone else experience this? Does it mean the device needs to be adjusted?

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New member has a querstion

I have joined the club today as I had a MRI friendly Medtronic pacemaker fitted last Wednesday.

The pacemaker has been set to provide me with a minimum of 55bpm after which my own heart rate takes over.

This was fitted as I have been suffering with a low pulse rate which when monitored over a period of 48hours, my maximum rate was 72 bpm falling to 25bpm at night with an average of 44bpm.

It was a complete surprise to me that I needed one, as I had been feeling...

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Can't feel pacemaker working

I'm new to the group and just had a pacemaker inplanted on July 2, 2010. I had 5 prior heart attacks over a 3 year period which resulted in a heart rate of 30 bpm to 0 bpm at night, a heart that stopped whenever it wanted to, passing out whenever I got out of a chair, and inability to breath after minimal exertion. Since the inplant, I've felt 100% better: no dizziness or passing out, no shortness of breath and no pain or soreness from the incision site or inside my chest. I did have extensiv...

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Healing

Hello,
I got my pacer put in a year ago March.
I had an ablation that the surgeon messed up and quote, "OVER ablated your heart." My heart rate was between 14-30 without any pacer support.
I have been doing a little reading and thinking. I have a dual lead pacer, but i have not felt it go off for several months now. Is it possible that I may have begun to heal the scar tissue? I read that it is possible to have a pacer removed if you healed enough. I have an 18 month old son I c...

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stinging, popping, ripping? i'm uncomfortable.

This site was so helpful when i had my pacemaker implanted two months ago--thought i would check back in. I am still having a difficult time with several aspects of returning to my regular activities. I work in the service industry and so do a lot of heavy, repetative lifting. This has improved some with time--as my PM used to 'snap' around under my pectoral muscles every time i would have to flex or move my arm/shoulder a certain way. it felt like bending fingernails backwards! So now I hu...

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5 weeks post-op

Well it's been 5 weeks since my surgery and really do feel great! I went for my check up on the 25th of june (surgery was june 3rd) my incision healed nicely into a not so noticeable scar. The pain i was having early on in my chest is completely gone. Whenever the lead in ventricle goes off I can really feel the beating and kinda get sick to my stomach (nothing major) but they did turn it up another 10 milliseconds for heart response. They are wanting to turn my PM voltage back to 2.5 but as of...

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appt with the ep

I posted a couple weeks ago with trying to make the decision on getting a pm or not for 2nd degree heart block when I exercise. I went to the ep yesterday who said that this won't get better on its own and he would recommend the pm. Though its not a dangerous arrhythmia its more a quality of life issue. Then he wanted to do a stress test just to see it in action. Of course the block didn't happen even though it happens pretty much everytime I exercise...very frustrating...After seeing it he...

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Sorry...

...for not being upbeat. Many people on this forum were kind and helpful before my PM implant 2 days ago. I appreciate that and don't want to upset anyone else who might be facing a PM. I can't be positive, though. The experience was a nightmare. I'm terrified of needles and have had some bad experiences with medical professionals who ranged from cold to downright mean. The thought of local anesthesia and a machine implanted in my chest was horrifying. The night before the surgery, I deci...

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Post surgical pain

HI,
I'm due to have a pacemaker installed Tues. All this has happened very suddenly--only 5 days ago I wore a monitor that said my heart was "pausing" periodically for as long as nearly 10 seconds. Other than this, I'm in good overall health.

My question is about post surgical pain. My cardiologist (not Mr. Warmth, but reputed to be excellent) says most people don't have much pain in the hospital after the procedure. I don't see how that's possible, considering the incision a...

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Heading toward panic

Hi again,
There's so much helpful information on this site, but the more I read here and elsewhere, the more terrified I get (I'm scheduled to get a pacemaker on Tues.). There are so many horror stories, so many heartbreaking situations. The greatest advantage I see is that most people have more energy after the implant, but I have plenty of energy now; that's never been a problem. Is it true that a car seat belt causes most people discomfort? That you can't take a shower for a week aft...

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Post recovery time

Hello All,

I had my defibulator implanted on June 22, 2010 and the Dr said I can go back to work. Just wanted to know what was the average post operation recovery time. My left arm is still a bit sore from the operation and have the normal symtoms based on what I have read on the forum.

I work in management and n a pressured environment and wondering if it's too soon. I feel like I'm back to normal but don't really know what is normal when you have ICD, once in a while fe...

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Post-Op Arm/Shoulder Pain Help.

It has been almost 3 weeks since my PM implant. The PM itself is functioning and I am feeling great from the PM doing it's job. My problem is with my left arm - it is excruciatingly painful. I have done a few things that may have precipitated this - accidentally reaching above my head, receiving a giant bear hug that hurt and walked the dog who jolted my arm while chasing a squirrel. I called the device clinic and they said that it could be scar tissue that was dislodged, and that may take t...

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Can't take the feeling

Hey all,
It's been about a week and a half since my implant, and I'm now just getting so agitated by the feeling of the PM up against my skin. Even though I'm keeping my arm movements below my shoulder I still a feel the PM sitting against the chest muscle when I move my arm. Do you get used to this after a while, or do your arm movements always remind you that you you have a PM? I want to sleep on my stomach so bad sometimes but it just irritates me more.

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Comments please

SorrHi I am awaiting Hip replacement. I am completly relient on my pacemaker. I was always told could not have an anaesthetic. but now having had to return to hospital as my hip is getting so bad. they say they will possibly give me a full anaesthetic. as with an epidural of spinal. they will possibly not be able to see if my blood pressure falls/rises. because he rhythm is pre set iat one pace, however I feel lucky as they are going to have the consultant aneathitist and orthopedic consult...

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ep study and ablation

Hello My name is Jessica and Im 25yrs old who lives in WNY. Im having an ep study and ablation done in july. If anyone has had this done before, what should I expect during the procedure? What are the side effects after having this done? How long did it take to heal? Is it uncommon for me to be dealing with this at my age? If anyone has anything they would like to comment on this, please respond thank you :o)

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Liquid stitches

Hi i'm a new PM recipient as of last week and I'm so glad to have found this group and the great discussions on this site. I was curious to know if anyone has ever had their incision closed with liquid stitches before? My incision seems to be healing ok with it, but I'm getting some spotting or seeping that I notice by the end of the day. I guess I'm trying to understand what's normal and how long before this stuff comes off.

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I'm in pain!

Here I am in the middle of the night on day 2 after my pacemaker surgery. Am I just about the only one who suffered significant pain during the surgery and after? My cardiologist told me he was going to give me Fentanyl and Valium during th surgery. He agreed to give me these two medications. I wondered why I was wide awake and feeling every cut and suture. I winced and made sounds when it was too much to bear. The nurse responsible for administering the medications during the procedure was...

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Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.