Carolyn65

I just got thru typing a comment to post & 'poof' ~ it disappeared! Anyway, my question is, how would I know if my leads/wires became unattached to my heart? My condition was trach/pooling of blood/"flutter" (?). This may be a silly question to you more "seasoned" commentors with a lot more knowledge on the PM. Would I feel something? I am 2 weeks tomorrow out of my first ablation/PM implant. I feel like my recovery must be normal. I do not feel anything at all except for a 'tug'/pull from my "pocket' PM area when I reach/move too far. I feel like that is just norm in being the dissolvable stitches/soreness. I feel really tired today to the point of not even wanting/having a desire to get out of my chair to take care of my daily, simple routines. I am a retired widow who stays pretty sedentary besides the usual grocery shopping, etc. and staying active in my 2 Grandboys football/baseball games. I have not yet really felt any different after PM than before PM. IF, there was to be a change, like in the "energizer bunny" or my feeling more "perky", does that come soon/weeks/months, etc. after the PM implant? I only went for my 1st "wand"/ computer appt. last Friday & they left it sitting at '80' (?) until my 3 month appt. Today, I just am really more tired/exhausted than any other day. It made me start wondering if there may be some problem within the PM implant areas/wires. I do pray and think of all of you as I read where you are not feeling good or having really bad days. I know in the past, all of you have been really good with your suggestions/comments to me, and I am sure you will be there for me in the future ~ ~ THANKS, Carolyn G. in TX. ( :

2 Comments

Hi Carolyn

by Pookie - 2009-10-15 07:10:11

I'll try and answer some of your questions, but please please please keep in mind that I'm not a doctor but just a 47 yr old female with a dual lead Medtronic Pacemaker that will be 5 yrs old this November 2.

1) The only way one would know if their leads or wires become detached from your heart would be via a pacemaker check. So, with that being said, your pacemaker tech would be able to tell you. Can you call and get an appointment to have it checked again?

2) The tugging or pulling feeling is quite common as your body is adjusting to having a foreign body in there and that will take some time. To this very day, about once a month, mine feels like it wants to actual turn. Everyone heals at a different rate, so give yourself some time.

3) I too had a lot of tiredness after surgery that lasted longer than I thought. Again, we are all different. Perhaps you're not sleeping as well ... something to think about. It took me 3 months before I could actually sleep through the entire night.

4) I too thought I'd feel like a million bucks after having my pacemaker, but unfortunately, I never did. I thought I'd have more energy but that did not happen for me. Sometimes that happens.

Best advice...go back to your doctor and keep asking questions.

Keep the hope.

Pookie

Me too

by wenditt - 2009-10-15 08:10:47

I am almost 5 weeks past my implant and still feel "yucky." I am tired all the time, even though I nap with the baby. I think I am actually emotionally exhausted from worry, fret and fear from the whole experience and trying to get used to the idea that I have this "thing" in me.

The site isn't as sore but range of motion is not good. I too feel resistance when I have reached for something too far or hugged my daughter too tight. And I just learned I can't reach across to scratch my back anymore!

I agree with Pookie....if you are in doubt...get it checked out. Someone on here told me they took several trips to the ER their first year in just to make sure everything was ok. I have already been there once. I thought my leads got detached because I couldn't take a deep breath. I went ahead of everybody else in the ER...they gave me an xray in about 5 minutes...and showed me the picture. Turns out as soon as I saw that everything was ok, I could take a deep breath. Turns out I was panicking. Dr. said totally normal for people to constantly check their pulses (I am hooked on pulse watch), on alert for every palpitation etc...I am that crazy person who sits there with my fingers on my pulse right now. But I am getting better.

And you will too. Maybe you just need a dr. to tell you, that you are ok. What could it hurt?

I hope you get the energy buzz some people describe. I wish I would!

Be well and be proactive. Best of luck-
Wenditt

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