I should have asked this earlier!

About 5 weeks ago I went to the doctor for a typical check up. While there I asked that she listen to my heart. I'd been having lots of "flutters" and wanted her to take listen. To make a long story short, Monday I received my pacemaker. I'm embarrassed to say that I asked very few questions before hand. I'm 100% confident that this was a necessary procedure. I have plenty of family history and hindsight says I should have had this checked out sooner. Everything happened so fast that I didn't ask a lot of questions, I just said, "Let's get this thing done." Now I'm at home and the questions begin, like, OUCH! I thought this was minor surgery. I plan to go back to work Monday (office work) is this realistic? I haven't seen the incision yet. How bad is the scar really going to be. The evening of the surgery and all the next day I had no flutters. Now that I'm home they've started again. I thought the pacemaker would take care of this. The doc also told me that my potassium and magnesium levels are much too low. They loaded me up before and after surgery, but now I have to go back on Friday and have more blood drawn. Anyone have this problem? My doc is reported to be a gifted doctor, but his bedside manor is pitiful and there is a bit of a language barrier. I'm glad he used his skill to help me, but I'm looking for some answers from the folks that really know...others that have pacemakers! I just found this site and look forward to visiting with folks that have been where I am and where I'm going.

6 Comments

OUCH... I can relate

by COBradyBunch - 2009-07-22 05:07:50

I went back the Monday following surgery and it was a mistake. That first week I went home early one day and ended up working from home two more days but wasn't all the productive. My ouch was worst at the end of the 2nd week after implant and had to go on anti-inflams to get it back under control. The idea that you can go back 2 or 3 days after surgery IMHO is bogus. Of course I also did too much too soon, with relatives visiting, walks downtown, a trip to the zoo and to my daughter's local basketball tourney all in the first week after surgery but still work was too much even a week later.

My scar is a little worse than expected only because it opened up slightly at one end before it completely healed.

I asked my questions first which of course didn't go over well and cost me an extra days stay in the hospital as I kept asking what are my options, what is causing my brady episodes where my heart was acutally stopping for up to 9 seconds and what if I don't get the sugery. Had a great nurse who was super supportive but after my 3rd episode in less than 48 hours she said I really didn't have a choice if I wanted to lead a normal life.

Oh, and my doc had a horrible bedside manner at first, but as soon as he learned that I was all about getting information and not necessarily questioning his decisions he came around and now we have a good 'working' relationship. I come up with the questions, he answers the questions or else I ask the questions again.

Take time

by Blueaustralia - 2009-07-22 06:07:09

Don't push yourself. If you can take time off work do so and opt out of pushing yourself. I think having a pm implant takes more toll on our body than we realise or are led to believe. I have been active all my life and it knocked me flat. I think the procedure is dismissed too lightly by the medical fraternity after all they are not the ones going through it. I am no whimp when it comes to surgery and recovering and usually bounce back quickly but did need time to recover from my pm implant. I wish you all the best and a great recovery.
Sincere wishes from Oz

hello

by jessie - 2009-07-23 02:07:18

it took me 3 months to not feel very tired and feel great again. i slept a lot i know that. my pulse was 28 ad i was barely functioning.i have never felt so ill in my life . i was in 3rd degree heart block.so contact your cardiologist . mine said to me what do you think? your body was being deprived of oxygen. it is going to take time to feel good. after 3 months some of my energy returned. that is my story. jessie

Just posted my list from my month after meet

by COBradyBunch - 2009-07-23 06:07:55

Just posted my list from my month after meet with my doc. Oh and I highly recommend anti-inflams for the pain. Although they can hit you they aren't as bad as some of the more 'mind altering' pain killers and mine really did help but took them a few days to get the inflammation under control. I had been through three knee surgeries and a complete shoulder reconstruction so I was surprised at the pain and recovery time the pacer took also. I guess since heart docs are used to people recovering from cracked chests that they do think this is nothing but it was worse than any of my knees and gave my shoulder surgery a run for the money.

same with my mom

by simplicity2378 - 2009-07-23 07:07:49

my mom had surgery three weeks ago and she still has a lot of pain and is slowly getting used to the idea she has a pm...from what i have witnessed with my mom the surgery is more painful than they initially tell u...my mom was wheeled into emergency surgery the night she was taken to the er by the paramedics...she was in 3rd degree heart block...so we didn't have a lot of time to research and ask questions...as the weeks have passed i have found some really great info online...we also found this forum which is great because you have other people who are going through what you are going through...don't hesitate to ask your doctor questions...i know we ask lots...take care and get well soon

Thanks for the feedback

by Kansas Girl - 2009-07-23 12:07:20

It's reassuring to hear that I'm not just some big wimp! I fully expected to be ready to go in just a few days. In fact, one of the nurses told me I could go wake boarding in just three weeks. That didn't sound right to me of-course, but I sure didn't expect to feel like this. Online I've read that over the counter pain reliever is all that is needed after the surgery. I've given natural child birth. I've had surgery before. I'm not a cry baby, but sorry folks, Tylenol is not going to cut this pain! Is there anything else I should be made aware of or questions I should ask that I'm not thinking about?

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