new to pacemaker

I am having a pacemaker procedure on No 05,2010. I am looking for any information that you would like to share with me on what to expect during and after the procedure.

Thank You

12 Comments

Welcome

by Edouard - 2010-10-10 06:10:10

Hi Lindaheart
I'll repeat a post I gave to another new member. The procedure is fairly straightforward and my recovery went well and quickly (as is the case for the majority).
I am a 58 year-old physically active male who underwent PM implantation in May 2010 following a syncope due to Sick Sinus Syndrome. I had been suffering from Bradycardia for some 3 years prior and had passed out on occasion. This last episode resulted in a fall which caused substantial damage to my face and ribs. I was admitted on the Friday evening of a long weekend. As a result, my operation took place only on the following Tuesday. I met with a bunch of doctors and they went out of their way to reassure me, although I wasn't all that nervous.
On the day of the procedure, I was not fed. A nurse shaved my upper torso, including my armpits (groan). I was then wheeled down for an echocardiogram. After that, I was brought back to my room for an hour or two. Then, I was transferred to a gurney and brought down to pre-op. There were three or four patients who were either waiting for their procedure or had just undergone one. It was a quiet room, almost zen-like. After about 20 minutes, I met the surgical team, including my surgeon, a young kid just out of kindergarden. This was essentially my only negative experience: she told me that my swimming days were over, despite all the assurances I had gotten from the rest of the staff I had met over the previous three days. I insisted that she check and she reluctantly went to speak to her supervisor. As a result, she informed me that she would change the procedure from a sub-clavian implantation to a cephalic vein entry.
I was taken to the operating room. They placed me on the table and wrapped sheets around my arms so I couldn't move. It wasn't stressful or uncomfortable. They put a canula in my nostrils so I could breathe and then put a sheet over my head. I was given relaxants and pain killers, but no general anesthesia. I was awake through the whole procedure. No pain or discomfort. I just felt noticeable pressure as the surgeon pushed the PM into the pocket. The general atmosphere was quiet and professional throughout.
Following the insersion, they proceeded to program and test the unit. After they finished, they wheeled me back into pre-op where I waited a few minutes before they took me back to the room. The procedure had taken a bit over an hour. The staff waited about an hour to check for adverse reactions and then brough me some food (I was so hungry - I never thought hospital food could taste so good!).
I was released 24 hours later. No major pain during the next few days. I just favoured my left arm. My wife removed my bandage the following week. It took me about a week to feel comfortable enough to start normal household chores (my wife would not let me do anything). I resumed driving after two weeks and swimming after 6 weeks and now, my life is basically back to normal.
A couple of warnings:
1) While you want to be careful not to raise your arm too much and dislodge the leads in the first week, you don't want to immobilize you arm and get "frozen shoulder". I did not have that problem, but I hear it can be very painful and difficult.
2) I found out that my surgeon was completely unaware of my swimming, minutes before my surgery. Make sure that you inform your surgeon of any special lifestyle that you want to maintain and STICK TO YOUR GUNS.
All in all, I think everything went quite well. I wish you the same. Best of luck and regards
Edouard

PM

by Lindaheart - 2010-10-10 07:10:44

Wow that was a lot of good information. THANK YOU SO MUCH EDOUARD!!

It makes me feel great knowing how well everything went for your procedure.

Do you need to take any new medication after your surgery?

How do you know the battery is getting low?

Are you feeling a lot better since the placement.

If you have time to answer the few question I would appreciate if not I understand.

Thanks for taking the time to share with me.
Linda

Answers to your questions

by Edouard - 2010-10-10 09:10:02

Glad to be of help.
Medication:
I have had no new medication after surgery. For many years, I've been on Monopril for blood pressure and Crestor for cholesterol, but these are not really related to my PM.
Battery:
I've been told that my PM should last between 7 to 10 years. I've had a follow-up at the hospital a couple of months after surgery. My next follow-up is in a year and they check the functionning of the unit at that time.
How I'm feeling:
Great! Mind you, I never really felt ill prior to implantation. It's just that from time to time, I'd pass out. This last time, I busted my face quite thoroughly. In the last couple of months before my operation, I did feel a bit short of breath, but I don't really know if it had anything to do with SSS. I'm back in the pool, doing 1,500 m freestyle in 26:40 - not bad for a 58 year-old, and will probably compete at the end of the month.
I haven't had any syncope since the operation.
Regards
Edouard

Great information

by Lindaheart - 2010-10-11 07:10:53

Hello Edouard

Thanks again for all the good information! I'm happy to hear you are doing so well after you PM surgery. I am 60 years old and for years suffered with low heart rate and rythem problems. The low rate has caused me to be extremely tired and fatiqued. I would get a good heart rate for a time then it would go low for days at a time. This all got worse as time went on. The pain in the chest feels like I'm having a heart attack. I'm really looking forward to getting some relief and having a better quality of life.
I hope you do compete at the end of the month and that you win. You are a champion in many ways. Keep up the good things happening in your life!!!
Thanks
Linda

Battery getting low.

by Beckes76 - 2010-10-11 12:10:03

When you go for checkups for your PM they should let you know how long you have. My third PM was the only one that I felt get low. I literally felt my heart skip a beat then do a double beat right after. My bottom lead was completely dead. I had it checked in May 05and everything looked good. I felt it get low a week before my check in July 05. At that time it was going on 8 1/2 years since implantation. I was getting checked every 4 months but they changed it to every 2 months because of how old my PM was. I hope this helps.

Becky

try this again

by Beckes76 - 2010-10-12 03:10:02

When your battery runs low you will need to get the whole PM changed. They usually go through the same incision or close to it. All of my replacement surgeries (after the original one) I was up and about with in a few days. Had to take it easy for the next few weeks but I was out of the hospital the very next day. I was back at work the following week.

Becky

It worked

by Lindaheart - 2010-10-12 04:10:56

HI Becky
I got your post. Thank You!

Oh my I don't like that. Do they replace wires also? How were you feeling before you had this procedure and how has it helped you? I hope it made you feel a lot better!

I thought they just replaced batteries in the PM so thanks for the new information.
Linda

Leads stay put

by Beckes76 - 2010-10-12 05:10:17

Usually if they do them correctly your leads can last for quite awhile. My original leads are still in place. Since 2005 they don't go to any thing any more. I had my PM moved from my abdomen at that time. They didn't remove the leads. They were working just fine when I got the new PM put in. I had to get rewired when they changed the position of the PM.

I don't remember how I felt before I had the PM because I was 7. I know when my bottom lead battery died I was exhausted and didn't feel too good and I got too disoriented just from walking. I didn't like the feeling. I was happy that it was a very easy fix. My mom would call it a band-aid operation.

All in all I have lived with a PM for 26 years and I know if it weren't for it I probably wouldn't be here at all. I am very thankful for the technology of medicine that has helped improve my health and longevity.

I am not trying to scare you with replacement surgeries or what not. It is just a fact of life for me. I know I will need another one in the next 4 years. I am not looking forward to it but it has to be. I bounce back pretty quickly.

You will be sore for a few weeks. It might a few weeks until you start to feel normal again. Take it easy and follow your doctors advice to the tee. Don't over do anything. If you have any concerns either call your doctor or try posting on this web site. A lot of people are or were in your same boat. I hope this helps a little bit.

Becky

wishes do come true

by Lindaheart - 2010-10-12 05:10:59

HI Becky

Thank you for everything you explained to me. You have been a great help.

Yes I will take small surgeries that in the end improve my life. Right now I have very little energy and my life syle has really slowed down. I enjoy doing things with my Grandchildren but lately all I do is lay in bed. I have some energy first thing in the morning byt it quicky goes away.

I'm keeping fingers crossed that this will get me back to a real life. This bradycardia is horrible and I also have another problem which is cardiac dysrthymia.
THanks so much! Linda

message

by Lindaheart - 2010-10-12 08:10:13

Hi Becky
Your message did not post. A few minutes ago it said I had a message from you.

Maybe I should log out and come back.

PM

by Lindaheart - 2010-10-12 08:10:26

Hello Becky

Thank you for information! In your post you say my third PM does that mean you had to get the surgery 3 times? If so why? I thought this would be 1 and done outside of the battery replacement. Would you tell me how you felt after your surgery and how long it took you to recover?
I know I need this but I am really getting afraid of it.

Doctors

by Beckes76 - 2010-10-13 02:10:13

Getting a PM will make a big difference in the long run. Don't be too disappointed when you don't feel up to par right after surgery. Your body will need to adjust to the PM. Your first priority is to get better. Once you have recovered from the surgery try things little at a time. Follow doctors orders. You will know how your body feels. If you don't like how something feels stop what you are doing. There is no rush to get back to normal. Everybody is different. Hope everything goes well for you. Keep me posted after surgery. If you have any questions just feel free to ask.

Becky

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