Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

Post Message!

Post op wound care

Hello friends,
 

My recovery continues well, I've had fewer of those unusual feeling beats (PVCs?), my blood pressure is coming down (based on sensations, I'm travelling without a BP monitor), I feel it pacing less often (whether this is from the AV block getting back to my "normal" or simply being used to the sensation more). In short, while still very hyper aware of my body, I am recovering mentally and physically.

My biggest concern now is infection....

Read More...

Increase in heart weirdness just after first PM, is this common?

Hi again,
 

I've posted here a few times now, and first of all, thank you everyone for your replies. I didn't expect to be a member of this club quite so soon but it's been highly valuable getting a glimpse of other people's experience and perspective from relies and older posts.

As posted elsewhere I've had an AV block know since my early 20s, possibly something I've always had. It's not affected me much, no fainting, I've been able...

Read More...

Avoiding raising the arm and pulling out leads during sleep

Hello again,

PM newbie here, but third post. I really appreciate that this community exists!

I've seen the advise here against relying on a sling too much and staying mobile post op which makes sense. I'm curious though about how people sleep?

I'd usually lie on my side with the left arm straight up and under the pillow which isn't recommended at all. To make sure that I don't end up doing this in my sleep I've started sleeping with my left arm tied i...

Read More...

Sensation of leads inside of heart, is this even possible?

Hello everyone,

I've just joined this club (online and by having a pacemaker fitted for the first time yesterday). The recovery is going as expected, pain/pressure at the site of the pacemaker, and I'm super careful about not lifting my left arm etc.

A few times though I've had the sensation of a small twitch in the centre of my chest that is in line with my heart beat - either just a one off as I change position or sometimes a few times in a row with my beats. I'm...

Read More...

Pacemaker Surgery, Scars, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Hi all,

I'm two weeks post pacemaker implantation and generally healing up well. I'm curious if any of y'all have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and how you managed your scar post surgery. 

If anyone need a brief: EDS is a hereditary connective tissue disorder. Some symptoms are skin hyperextensibility and loose joints, as well as cardiac symptoms... I have had multiple surgeries and my scars have a tendency to spit stitches and form keloids (excess collagen fo...

Read More...

Wound healing & everything else!!

Hi all, 

I just recieved my PM last week. Total newbie here. My background that got me to this point.  Had my 3rd (and final) baby in Feb 2022. Maintained my superhigh BP that was discovered during pregnancy & im still on meds for. Very low heart rate & after a 5 day holter monitior in Jan 2023 findings suggested a pacemaker. Turned 40 in March & got my PM end of June. Rollercoster. 
anyways my question is that im a week post surgery. Everything heal...

Read More...

New to the Family!


Age: 75

Sex: Male

Hi All,

2 days ago I joined this family of amazing people that were given 2nd life due to Pacemaker. I am still coping with the reality but in hindsight, now I feel this was due more than ever.

While, I am recovering well, I have so many things to learn about this whole thing and this forum seems the best place to be.

I had a high degree AV block and was implanted with dual chamber Boston Scientific Accolade Pacemaker. I am told that it wa...

Read More...

Recovery and experience

Hi guys I just wanted to share Ammy experience and also ask for advice. 
 

I've just today got out of St Barts Hospital having a new pacemaker. 
im 50 and on my 4th pacemaker. 
 

when I went in it was supposed to be a routine box change but the couldn't find a decent pocket for it without moving it to a new location which I didn't want. So this time they have put it under the muscle on my chest which is ALLOT more painful than a...

Read More...

HCM alcohol septal ablation part 2

(Part 2) This nice lady is going to give you some drugs to help with any pain and to chill you out, if you've never had morphine feels a little weird to start with but don't panic it's fine,, anyway good thing about drugs is that I don't remember any pain or discomfort until they injected the alcohol, they did warn me in advance,, heads up my chest felt tight and yes It wasn't nice but the outcome could be worth the discomfort. Provided there's no problems (m...

Read More...

HCM alcohol septal ablation

Well an update for anyone interested in a alcohol septal ablation for HCM sufferers,, I've had it done and here to tell the story.... it all started yesterday at 11.30 in Southampton general hospital cad lab, all booked in then the formula one mode kicks in, height, weight, ECG change into the non CK paper pants and gown that's all done in 5 mins,, then be prepared to loose some short and curlies down there people just in case they decide to go in groin area. Right then it's...

Read More...

Site Sore

It's a couple days after two weeks, and I am still sore on the site of the incision, is this normal?  I started sleeping on the left side about a week ago, did I do that too early?   And is there a danger of infection because I did that?  Thank you. 

Read More...

Over 11 weeks since last surgery

Hello everyone-

i know I'm on here very irregularly, but I wanted to post my over 2 months update.

the good news- it appears that my blood pressure is way lower than before the implant. I was always over 140 over 100. I'm now around 120, sometimes 110 over 68. Heart rate is good, never below the set amount of 60.

Now saying this, I feel like doctor wise that I've been thrown in the deep end with no further advice. They say they watch my stats through the app, but...

Read More...

HCM alcohol septal ablation

Hey guys

I've got a dual unit and have had for about 5 years because of HCM now those lovely people in white coats have suggested a alcohol  septal ablation well booked next week,, pretty keen on it as I should alleviate a lot of my symptoms, so my question is has anyone here had one ???? 

Read More...

Pacemaker and surgery

If you had to have caroid artery surgery will having  a pacemaker cause you a problem?  Is there anyone out there that has had cartoid artery surgery with a pacemaker?

Read More...

Pace and ablate

I am a 79 year old active lady living in the UK who has had AF since 2006

I am due to have a pacemaker fitted tomorrow with av node ablation following to control my AF which has got out of control when i had to stop Flecainide.

I am apprehensive about tomorrow so hope there are some kind people on here who can alleviate my worries. After the procedure i would like to know how to manage the restrictions on my arm movement. I understand that I will not be able to raise my arm above...

Read More...

post pacemaker change pain

I just had my pacemaker changed out after 10 great years of use. I have total heart block, so it is always pacing. The initial implantation was easy. Very little pain. This time I am in quite a bit of pain. During the surgery I could feel so much pressure, like my insides were being really pushed around. The wound is so sore that walking is difficult because my breasts pull down and I can't wear a bra. Everything feels bruised and I wonder if anyone else has encountered this. At time...

Read More...

Fluttering sensations

Pacemaker fitted one month ago. In the first week I was getting similar symptoms to pre pm, fluttering, feeling faint etc. I went back and the pm was adjust up from a base level HR of 55bpm to 70bpm. Things are vastly improved since but I still get fluttering, it almost feels like the pm is "kicking in" like a clunky gear change on a car! I'm due to go back to pm clinic in two months. Any advice?

Read More...

New Member

I decided to retire Dec 2020 at age 75 but my life of leisure was abruptly interrupted by a stroke 2 weeks later. Hospital discovered that unknown to me I had been experiencing a series of mini strokes. A loop recorder was inserted in my chest to monitor the permanent A-Fib that I had been dealing with for some years previous. After a short stay in hospital with therapy I went home to pick up on where I had left off preparing for a caravanning holiday with wife but again was interrupted by my...

Read More...

TAVR Implant Completed

So I had my TAVR implanted yesterday without issue. I already feel better and can breath deeper and have more energy. I'm sure that will continue in the weeks to come.

Pretty much right after my implant, my BP increased which they said is normal. While getting ready for discharge, I had a very short bout of VT that I barely felt, but they saw it on their monitors and wanted to make sure it wasn't valve related. They said it wasn't. Possibly just the heart being pissed about...

Read More...

Exercise

this is probably a redundant post! i'm a 16 yr old who is about five days post-op from getting a pacemaker implanted. i was previously very active (however, i had to stop about a couple months ago due to the fact i just had no energy from my heart condition) and i have been itching to resume activity for a LONG time. i was just wondering how long i should wait post surgery to start working out again? my doctor said there was no restriction except for just moving my arm but i'm st...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

I can honestly say that I am feeling absolutely amazing!