Anyone in the San Antonio, Tx area

I am 1wk in my pacemaker surgery, very soar, not sure what to expect. A little briefing on my story. I went to the ENT doctor for possible sinus infection which was confirmed and was told I needed surgery which I already knew. ENT sent me to cardiologist for clearance because of previous history of heart problems. After stress test, holter monitoring, I was diagnosed with slow heart rate and quickly scheduled for pacemaker surgery so I could still be on schedule for sinus surgery 3days later. Which as of today, has all happened. The pacemaker is in, I developed a serious rash from the chloroprep (blue stuff) they used to prep area. I had to finally have a IV dose of sterioids to get the rash taken care of. Everything has just happend so fast, I have people tell me I am too young (43) for this to have happened to me. I am confused if I made the right decision or not. Anyone out there with me..I am very soar, can barely lift my left arm, shoulder in alot of pain. Just wondering who all has had same feelings....

6 Comments

YOU ARE NOT ALONE :~)

by TENDERHEART - 2009-10-22 06:10:46

YOU ARE NOT ALONE AT ALL..... I'M TURNIN 29 NEXT MONTH AND WORKING ON MY 3rd PACEMAKER, HAD THE 1st ONE INPLANTED IN 03.. I HAD A SLOW RESTIN HEART RATE, AND I WAS BORN WITH HEART DIEASE HAD THE WHOLE OPEN HEART SURGERY AT 5 MONTHS AND EVERYTHNIG THAT FOLLOWS WITH SUM1 THAT HAS HEART ISSUES.....
MY 1st PACEMAKER WAS PLACED IN MY LEFT BREST, SO OH BOY DO I EVER KNOW HOW SCORE IT CAN BE.... IT DEPENDS ON YOUR BODY I THINK AS TO HOW QUICKLY YOU WILL BE BETTER. WORKIN ON THE 3rd PACER IT STILL TOOK 3 OR 4 WEEKS OF PURE HECK, BUT THEY ALSO MOVED IT TO BELOW THE COLLORBONE, I GUESS THAT WERE THEY LIKE TO PLACE THEM, BETTER ACCESS FOR THE DOCOTRS AND SUCH.

I WISH NOTHNIG BUT THE BEST OF LUCK FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

TENDERHEART

Hi and Welcome

by Pookie - 2009-10-22 07:10:09

You are not alone. I was 42 when I had my pacer and there are 1000s if not more that were younger than I when they first received their devices.

The being sore will take time as we all heal differently.

However, with that being said, if you think the pain level is way too high don't ever be afraid to go to your local emergency room just to be checked out for your safety and peace of mind.

When in doubt; get yourself checked out. :)

Pookie

Fellow Texan!

by scadnama - 2009-10-22 08:10:26

I am from SW TX, about 120 miles W of San Antonio. I am 25 years old, and have had my pacemaker for nearly 2 years now.

Just want to welcome you and let you know that you are not alone! If you ever want to chat, feel free to send me a message.

Hang in there...things will get better soon!

Amanda

S.A. is my home

by jessame - 2009-10-22 09:10:51

Hi,
I live here in San Antonio and judging from your user name I am guessing that I am just down the road from you. Loop 1604 & Culebra. I have had my pacemaker for about 18 months now. After a number of adjustments it has been great.Was diagnosed with tachy/brady and A-Fib. I was 49 yrs old when received mine. Believe it or not but I also broke out with a horrible rash but it didn't get really bad until after I got home from the hospital. Took forever for it to go away. As far as your confusion on the decision to get the pm I was there too. I called my primary care doctor who I totally trust and he told me to get it. His exact words were " Think of it as a safety net" So I did it. If you have any questions about facilities here in town just send me a message. Don't try lifting your arm . The hospital gave me a sling to wear just to be on the safe side so that I wouldn't try to lift my arm. It helped alot. Take it a day at a time and try not to rush the healing process.
Hope you feel better soon.
Mona

HI from Sri Lanka

by tania - 2009-10-23 04:10:20

Its almost a month and a half after my pacemaker implant. Yes, the soreness is there but will gradually wean out.. My collar bone and shoulders hurt badly since I gained consciousness mid-way of surgery and I guess they held me down!!!
I am back at work after a month's rest, taking it easy and not rushing the healing process.
Sometimes it could be frustrating, but I have to remind myself, that I need to give myself ' time to adjust'
Take care and be in touch

Tania

houston, tx

by miss_kristina - 2009-10-23 12:10:46

hey. i just started this site today, maybe we can chat sometime. anyways,im 19yrs old and have had a pacemaker since i was 3 and replaced when i was 10. im due for surgery again, next month. when i was 16 i was dating this loser and got into a head on collision, t-boned a car and we were going over 90mph i flew thru the windshield. soo i had to get surgery on my nose cuz it was smaasshed! fractured in 5places to be exact. and last yr i had to get surgery on my nose again bc i was having bad sinus problems. nose surgery was worse than the pacemaker surgery, i think. it was terrible! and i still have pain n my face. your pain should go away soon, its going to be sore though and careful how u move it. when i was 10 i had to put my arm in a sling bc i stretch my scar open. anyways, im here to talk. hope you feel better ;D

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