Its less than 3 weeks away

I am 19 years old and will be getting my first pacemaker Feb 11th. I have a complete heart block and just found out in october. My only symptoms were extreme tiredness and getting dizzy and a average resting heart rate of 54-65. I decided to get the pacemaker because I have a 15 month old and i hate being too tired for her at times. I am worried about the recovery and after its placed. My boyfriend will be home for over a week to care for me and our daughter but she sleeps with me at night and she loves to cuddle and climb on me. What is ok oviously I know she can not climb on me and i cant pick her up but what am I getting into with the recovery what should i expect? When will I notice that oh wow i feel better. Will i be in pain at the incision area? Will i need pain meds.how long will I be in a sling. I heard no shower for a week(no water at the area) How did you clean yourself? i was going to have fam wash my hair in the sink. What else should I expect?

5 Comments

Worrying!!

by donb - 2011-01-24 01:01:34

Hi, I'd like to add to your questions on handling your 15 month old daughter. First thing that came to my mind was memories 18 years ago with handling grand children. Seems they all have lots of getup & down, squirm, stiffen out and target (That PM). I had no problem although there were a few (ouchs').

There's been some comment with some of our members not having their implants properly secured, namely not fastened to surrounding tissue. Some had to have later surgery to have this corrected. Most PM generators have attachment eyes for securing which all 4 of mine had. I never had any problems and the heal-up time has always been short. Might also mention my 4th implant is now right chest and doing bull work under vehicles is no problem even being right handed.

I want to mention also to converse with your surgeon as to his procedures, especially placement location, securing and loop lead dress. If done properly you should be very comfortable living with your metallic friend.
I have had real experience with the above 2 years ago with PM removal, left site restoration, old lead terminal erosion, etc. Only on my insintence did I get proper site restoration. Communication Prior to Surgery is always in order! donb

Sorry!!!

by donb - 2011-01-24 01:01:43

The word is INSISTENCE donb

good luck!!

by Tracey_E - 2011-01-24 07:01:38

If they put it on the left, you should be able to pick her up with your right arm. You can use the left side for balance, just not lifting and you can't raise it over shoulder level. Other than that, if it doesn't hurt, go for it.

I felt better from the minute I woke up with the higher heart rate! Many with CHB do, tho you may still be tired for a few weeks.

There will be some pain but it's usually not that bad. Surgeons vary and we all have different tolerances for pain. I took prescription pain meds at night for a few days, tylenol during the day then nothing by the end of the first week.

How long you have to keep it dry depends on how they close it. This last time I was told to keep it dry for a week. I took baths and I had my hair dresser wash my hair. After I could get it wet, I managed in the shower. You get pretty good at doing it one handed!

The sling is usually just 24 hrs but again, drs vary. I wore it for the first week or two if I was going any place I'd be in a crowd or like at church where I normally greet most everyone with a hug. I didn't need it, but it's a great reminder to people not to touch.

Two things I like to pass along to newbies... wear a button up top to the hospital. You won't want to be pulling anything over your head for the first week or two. Also, when sleeping, I like to hug a small pillow with my left arm, it keeps me from rolling onto the sore side in my sleep.

You'll be fine!! I think you made the right decision. I found childbirth a lot worse, lol.

Take it easy...

by qwerty - 2011-01-25 12:01:43

Tracey and donb are always right on target. Don't overlook what Tracey said about the button up shirt. This is a must! You really cannot get a pullover on without raising your arm.
As for water, washing, hair care... You will manage one handed. They put my pm on my Right side and I am right handed. So I developed my left handed skills for a few weeks. Life goes on. You will find ways to adjust and it is only for a little while and it is worth it.
It has been one year today since I got my pm. My heart rate was averaging about 40. Going into the 20's with significant pauses over night. I didn't feel a burst of energy like electric frank, but I did feel better and clearer headed than I had in a long time. But, it took a while for my HR to drop that low and and during that time, my activity level decreased, so it has taken the better part of this past year to "build my stamina" back to a good level. So, you may not feel and immediate difference, but you have to know that your body is getting better circulation and all your organs are happier which means you will now have the ability to move forward and become healthier.
Hope this helps.
qwerty

Some other stuff

by kermiehiho - 2011-01-29 04:01:04

Just to add, there are waterless shampoos you can use, and you can sponge bathe and avoid the incision area. After a few days, you can take off the pressure dressing, and after a week or so, getting water on the incision is actually ok, just don't scrub. If you have one of those detachable shower heads, it's really helpful. I didn't wash my hair for a week (icky), but after that, I washed it, lifting my pacemaker arm only to my shoulder height, tilting my head to that side somewhat.
I had some shoulderache from the pressure dressing for the first few days, and for a couple weeks after, I slept with a pillow under my pacemaker side arm/shoulder, as lying flat felt like the incision was pulling. And for about 6 weeks, if I lifted my arm up to shoulder level or out to the side, it felt as if something were pulling. But having gotten a lung tube and a pacemaker, painwise, I'd honestly take the pacemaker any day.

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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.