Today

I am leaving in one hour to have a dual chamber pacemaker put in.
I am a big baby & I am Scared!

7 Comments

today

by sarge - 2011-08-09 02:08:25

Don't be, it's all good!!!!!!!!!!! Having a tooth pulled hurts worse.

Lessee, now...

by donr - 2011-08-09 07:08:21

...it's all over. How'd it go? Piece of cake, right.

Welcome to the club!

Don

Welcome

by Beckes76 - 2011-08-10 04:08:50

Welcome to this fabulous club. After your surgery if you have any questions that you have please ask. We have wonderful people to help.

Becky

It's Over!!

by tangotue2 - 2011-08-10 06:08:23

I made it through, no as bad as I expected.
Other than the pain at the incision site, I already feel stronger!

I do have a question though, is a defibrillator the same as a pacemaker, or does it work differently?

Thanks,

Laura

Great!!

by Uffda - 2011-08-10 10:08:35

I am so happy you made it through all right. I am not realup on this, but a PM and Defib are totally different. The PM keeps you heart beating, but a Defib will give you an electric shock if you heart goes into fibulations. The Defib does not operate on a constant basis, it only give the electric jolt when needed. In general, you do not even know your PM is doing its job, but you will with a Defib. When it goes off, it will definitely get your attention!!

Congrats!

by QDottie - 2011-08-14 05:08:19

Hi Laura -

I was scared to death, too (I had mine implanted 3 days ago.) I had to work hard to keep my mind on other things as the surgery progressed (I was awake during the whole thing) or I would have cried from the fear. But like you, all went well and I too feel stronger already!

Here's to us sissies! :-)
Pattie

Tango

by donr - 2011-08-14 05:08:35

What did you get? PM or ICD (PM = Pace Maker; ICD = Defibrillator.)

Makes a BIG difference. You never even know a PM is operating - it's like the Energizer Bunny. It functions to keep your heart in good rhythm by sending out SMALL electrical pulses to make it work continuously. Mine, f'rinstance, paces me nearly 99.5% of the time. Never feel a thing.

Ah, then there's the ICD - it may be combined w/ a PM in the same case. It also has the capability of sending out a jolt to literally kick start your heart if it turns into an uncoordinated mass of fibrillating muscle that cannot pump blood. Kinda an electrical slap in the face. Whereas the PM output is measured in 1 -2 volts & small current, the ICD Defib jolt is measured in Joules, a measure of energy. I know a lady who has one that has fired three times - said it felt like she'd been kicked by a mule.

I'd strongly suggest you talk to your Cardio & get him/her to explain more about what your device does & what you can expect so you aren't surprised if the Missouri descendent of a horse & a donkey belts you in the chest.

Meanwhile, please come here w/ any questions - we can help. Lotsa folks have ICD's.

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic woman.

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