Advise

Hi,
I have looked at this site many times but have never, until now had the need to write anything. I have known for two months now that I need to have a pacemaker fitted and that day is arriving far too quickly! This Saturday 30th Jan.
I am so scared, I keep reading everyones comments in the hope to feel better but they only make me feel worse!
I am not looking forward to the operation, which thanks to the internet I have seen a 1000 times, or the after effects.
Please someone give me some positive advise? I'm 41 years old, and have bradycardia.
Thanks

17 Comments

No worries

by dwelch - 2010-01-25 05:01:06


If you have never had surgery before I can understand how intimating it can be. The nurses will prep you and put you on a bed and wheel you to the operating room. Why the place is so cold and they dont put enough blankets on you I will never know. And even though they are talking over you to each other about their day rest assured they know you are there and they do care about you. Try to just meditate, relax, be calm. Perhaps stay up really late the night before so you are really tired that morning/day.

I have had a couple of non-pacemaker surgeries and a pm install or replacement is about as easy as it gets, you are awake, depending on what they give you you may or may not be able to completely form words to ask questions, or I am told one time I was like a drunk person and kept asking the same question. There is some tugging, no pain but you feel someone pulling on you, not unlike feeling pressure when getting a cavity drilled. Getting a pacer is not as bad as dental work even IMO.

Others may have had different experiences, with the original leads and then later with a replacement lead I had to spend the night. They will probably want an ekg hooked up all the time so you have a spiders web of wires on. And they will want to have an iv shunt ready, which was by far the most difficult part of the whole procedure my first time. the other two the shunts were much much better, I think the technology of the needle was the improvement. That also means every 6 hours a nurse will come in and shoot some fluid into the thing to keep it clear, so that kinda sucks too if you are trying to sleep it off.

The one time I didnt need a new lead I was in and out and on my way home. In my late 30s at the time my mom came to visit and help my wife out with our daughter and day to day stuff, I just rested and took a couple week vacation from life. Nothing to do, nowhere to go.

Life with a pacemaker is no big deal. Before last week when I joined this site, I did not think of my pacer but once per doctors visit. You really dont remember it is there, and when you remember it is there it is more like an elbow or knee or something you dont want to bump into things but is also just a normal part of you, nothing special.

And every 5-10 years, more or less depending on your condition, you get to have this two to three week vacation from life.

You also get to have fun with security at the airport if you so choose. Or at some airports you get to take the wheelchair line and cut in front of everyone.

The bottom line, you will be normal, of not superhuman, you wont have to worry about your heart, that is a big thing to not have to worry about. Yes there is a transition, your insides may feel or sound a little different, but once you understand that is a better feeling not a worse one you will be happy about it. The transition is not as harsh as say changing your hairstyle or moving to a new town or house. It takes more work to maintain fingernails and toenails than it does to maintain a pacemaker. Find whatever it is you do to relax or at least tolerate dental work, and do that, although the pm surgery takes a few weeks where dental takes a few hours or days, the procedure itself is easier than dental work.

good luck

by bmom91 - 2010-01-25 05:01:09

I am on my second pm I had my first installed at age 31 and my second at age 39 both times went great! I know it is still scary and it doesn't take away all the Bradycardia symptoms I still get dizzy from time to time but overall it is much better than when I first was diagnosed second pacer I got to go home same day and everything has been great since. Good Luck with yours! We will all be sending go wishes your way!

good luck!

by nat36 - 2010-01-25 05:01:37

I feel like getting my pacemaker was the best thing that happened to my health last year. I was also very scared and felt like I was too young ( I am 37) but this club has helped me SO much. Use the wisdom of the people on this site to get you through! I still have issues but now slow heart rate is not one of them. It is very reassuring to know you have back-up and I am sure it will help you! Good luck and keep us posted !!!

Hope needed and I will give it

by repwork - 2010-01-25 05:01:41

I have had the surgery at least 11 times and will be having it again within the next two months. My surgery usually last about two hours, then an hour in recovery, and then I get to go home on the same day. I always feel great about having it, when it starts to run out I experience some weight gain and when I receive a new one I loose most of the weight (plus some extra). I always feel scared when they push me into the operating room but I always look forward to the twenty chicken nuggets that I eat once I come out of surgery and return to my room. I know how the ordeal goes all to well.

Embrace it.

by TLR - 2010-01-25 06:01:11

When my PM was fitted just over a year ago I'd had no idea I had a heart condition, just a load of symptoms I put down to everything else, at 31 I thought I was invincible. Although the thought of having a heart condition was very confusing and upsetting for a while the actual fitting of the PM was the best bit. Diagnosis to operating table within 2 1/2 hours, and it was great. Ok Im a sick puppy who loves hospital stayovers but I really have to say that the cardiologist who did my op was spot on, we had a real laugh whilst the procedure was underway. He was a natural comedian who made me feel at ease from moment one and even though I have a fear of needles he was excellent (though I did do the last quarter of the procedure with no anasthetic as I was sick of being stuck with needles by that point). The follow up was great. Although I had been told I could go home I was offered a side room for me and my wife and all the looking after that went with it. Food was great and the staff nurses were brilliant.
The next week was a bit weird. I was off work, not sure what life was going to shape up to be but all my friends and family appeared out of nowhere offering support and help. It was brilliant and has brought me closer to everyone I know aswell as giving me inspiration in life.
I am a police officer, firearms, and my job was looking shakey for a while but I'm back operational and better than ever, now I am pretty much 100% sure I am the only person in the UK that does my job and has a PM. The PM has helped me so much, and not just by fixing my dodgy heart...it has made me want to prove I am capable where before I just accepted what was given to me, it has made me want to prove that having a heart condition or PM doesn't make you a cast-off, but most importantly it has provided huge amounts of entertainment when dropped into conversation at opportune moments making people look like narrow minded idiots.
Dont be scared of it, embrace it. You will feel like crap for a few days, just the same as having your wisdom teeth out or a nasty mole removed but inside you will feel a million times better. Honestly, in 6 weeks time you will look back and wonder what you were ever worried about in the first place, and maybe like me you'll have this rosy glow of nostalgia thinking back to the time you had it done.

Go for it, and good luck.

MUCH better than you expect!

by joni - 2010-01-25 06:01:25

Forget about what you've seen on the Internet. You won't be looking at the procedure and you won't feel a thing. In fact, you may find yourself talking with the other folks in the OR about other things as I did. The procedure seems to go very quickly. I had the feeling that I had just been wheeled in and already someone was wheeling me out. As for the after effects, well, you'll be able to say "good-bye" to bradycardia and you should feel much better than you do now. The people at this website stand ready to answer your questions during the recovery period and afterward.

No worries

by mikesmom93 - 2010-01-25 07:01:20

I am 42 and just got my "onboard ambulance crew" 8 weeks ago. I never had a clue anything was even wrong with me.

The surgery was easy. I was under light sedation. Procedure took 2 1/2 hours and I slept straight through. Woke up in recovery feeling like I'd had a great night's sleep. Not much pain, just mildly sore, and only took a Tylenol. Stayed in recovery for observation, and went home first thing the next morning. No pain medication needed.

Surgery was on a Monday, and I was totally bored by that same Thursday. Went back to work on Friday. After the first week, the pain was pretty much totally gone, and now at week 8, I forget the ICD is even there 95% of the time.

Every day, I am so very grateful to my doctor, who potentially has saved my life, when I didn't even know it needed saving.

Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones we didn't even know we wanted or needed. It may not seem like it now, but you've been given a gift!

Melissa

Good Luck

by Beckes76 - 2010-01-25 07:01:33

Welcome to the club inadvanced. I am 33 and on my fourth pm. I don't really remember the first two surgeries but the other two I do remember. I do still get nervous. My mom has describes it as a band-aid operation. They go in and take the old one out put the new one in and sew me up. Then I go home the very next day. I am good as new for the next 8-10 years. When I have to do it again. Which is in about 3-4 more years at the most. We are here to help on anyway.

Becky

Good Luck

by Bionic Man - 2010-01-25 10:01:38

The pacer took care of my bradycardia and allowed me to get my life back.
Bob

Take care of yourself

by Kathy.m.wenger@gmail.com - 2010-01-25 11:01:29

Hi Sharon, well like everyone says welcome to the club, I am 46 and had a Pacemaker put in this past June. And yes there are adjustments to be made, my advice is to be kind to yourself, and not to get down on yourself during the adjustment process, everyone is different, and everyone heals differently, don't compare yourself to others recovery times.
I remember very little about the surgery, they drape you and turn my head to the right and I could hear everyone talking around me at first and I am kinda gaby so I tried to join in on the convo, and I had a very nice group working on me. Then I was asleep and woke up to the Dr. finishing up. I spent the night in the hospital and then went home that day. I tried to follow Dr.s orders and take it easy, they will give you a list of instructions of what to do and not to do, follow them, DON'T be a hero a super women!!! Take care of yourself.
Remember Take care of yourself.
Sincerely Kathy

You'll be alright

by lenora - 2010-01-25 11:01:42

Sharon, it's natural to be scared when you don't know what's going to happen. Please don't let negative comments on this site frighten you. There are always those who revel in telling their personal horror stories but most of us do just fine. I doubt that any of us would choose to get pacemakers if we didn't have to. Might as well make the best of it and look down the road to feeling better and having more energy. As to doctors, I think we are very blessed to have someone who understands the inner workings of our hearts and the capability to "fix" what's wrong with them. That's something we just can't do for ourselves. I forgot to mention---they have blanket warmers in the cath lab so just tell the nurses you want one or two. They'll even give you warm socks if you don't have any on. Best wishes to you, Lenora

Ignorance was bliss

by bgarza - 2010-01-26 02:01:33

I didn't know anything about PMs and had selective hearing when my cardiologist said (several years ago) that I would need a PM one day. I went in for an ablation for 3rd degree heart block, developed a hemotoma, the following morning my EP reviewed the nights telemetry readings and said I needed a PM "like right now, today." So a few hours later I was wheeled back into the suite, listened to some jazz music and woke up to more jazz music. The procedure went well, the staff were wonderful and my EP insisted that I should feel 100% better. My body was doing better it was my brain that had issues catching up to my body (story for another time). My incision was glued together, had no problems taking care of it. Slightly sore but Tylenlol was enough. I did fill the script for stronger pain meds but only used one my first night home. All is so much better 9 months out. I'm back to enjoying my grandchildren, I carry my grandson (9mos old and 21 lbs) Do take care of yourself and you will be just fine. - Blanca

oops forgot to add

by bgarza - 2010-01-26 02:01:39

Forgot to add - I thought I was too young for a PM, I'm 49 (few months from 50). But this site has helped me understand that it's not about age, it's about living. Write down any questions you may have for the PM tech and EP/Cardiologist. My PM techs are awesome and explained the whole PM thing to me. Take care!

I agree with Kathy

by cjames - 2010-01-26 02:01:46

I just got my pacemaker Nov.22, 2009. I did not know I needed one either. But.... Take care of yourself and you will adjust but it was and still hard for me at times. (Only 3 months in and still adjusting but each day gets better.) I'm 46 yrs. old. Do not be super woman and this site helps me alot. Learn from this site and disregard what you don't agree with. cjames

Time to shut down your computer

by ted - 2010-01-26 09:01:31

If you have watched the procedure a thousand times you are obviously obsessed and need to shut your computer down and stay off the internet so you don't receive any more information or advice. There comes a time when you just have to let the medical people put you to sleep and do their job without your help or input. Good luck.

Relax

by qwerty - 2010-01-27 02:01:52

I got my PM this past Monday, 1/25. I am at home and for the first time in years, I am not tired. Still in some pain, but nothing that is not manageable.
I am 59 and had never had any surgery so scared, you darn tootin I was. (By the way... I thought I was too young for this too!!!) But How can you read the above posts and listen to the folks on this web site and not believe this is going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread?
They have so much insight into this PM thing that if you have any questions, Someone will have been through what you are going through and, more importantly, they are willing to share.
My only recommendations is to relax, and listen to these folks.... they have been there. Don't worry about the horror stories. They didn't even put me to sleep, Boy was I shocked, but thanks to Frank, I was some what prepared for what to expect when I relized I would be awake.
Hang in there Sharon. We can get stronger together!

Pacemaker Surgery

by timberhitch - 2010-01-27 05:01:31

Hi Sharon. I had my first pacemaker surgery a month ago. I really was not afraid of getting a pacemaker as they have been around for a long time now and the success rates are among the best. I was awake for my procedure and everything went smoothly except for some discomfort which is to be expected. I did, however, had to have the procedure done again the next day as one of the leads had dislodged somehow. I was not really too happy about that but I realize that things happen that are out of our control. I again had discomfort and they were good about giving me more pain medication. I am completely satisfied with the doctor and hospital but my stay was longer than I expected - three days.
At this time, I am still dealing with pain in the area of the pacemaker for which my doctor has prescribed pain medication. Luckily, I am not working during the winter months because of the nature of my job. Because of the pain, I do not think I would be able to do my job right now but things are getting better.
The reason I am writing this is for you be aware that people heal at different rates and for some people progress is not as fast as for others. I wish I could be like some people who have posted their experiences on this subject and I hope you are one who heals fast. With that said, it is a miracle that our medical situations can be corrected or at least be helped and for that, I can deal with the pain of the procedure.
Good luck with your surgery and enjoy your new freedom that is associated with bionic part. Timberhitch

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Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.