New member here. Soon to have PM fitted - Nervous!

Hi everyone. New member from the UK here. I’ve been reading for a couple of months since finding out that I would be required to have a PM fitted but recently received my ’letter’ from the local hospital that I must be admitted on 14th September so thought it was the right time to join.

History: Like a few other recent posts I’ve read, my symptoms relate to black outs. I’m 28 and have had them on and off since I was a child. They have, unfortunately, over the last 10 months become more frequent and after the 4th within 4 months, I thought it best to attend and see my GP. At first, I just assumed them to be fainting episodes, however my GP wasn’t so sure and I was referred to the cardio unit. ECG’s were fine and I had a heart monitor for 24 hours which again appeared to be fine. I was discharged pending the results of a ’tilt-table’ test. During that test I blacked out again and had what they described as a heart block for 8 seconds. After the test, the specialist basically said I had one option, and that was a PM.

I’ve been trying to keep myself positive by thinking that once done, I’ll be able to return to work, drive again and live pretty much a normal life, however, when reading forums and other peoples problems, I can’t help but feel nervous about the surgery.

I received a leaflet with my appointment letter explaining the procedure and the possible risks involved. It states:

1-2% chance of infection around the wound site
2% chance of leads moving/dislodging
1.5-2% chance of a punctured lung
Less than 1% chance of perforation of the heart wall

Is it really that uncommon for these things to happen during the surgery? Having read the forum for a few months, it seems much more common for these thing to happen than they suggest. Maybe its just that forums are used to discuss problems and those that have straight forward surgery don’t feel the need to comment.

I look forward to contributing to the site over the coming years and wish everyone the best of health.

Lee

8 Comments

Hello Lee

by Lake Breeze - 2011-08-24 01:08:13

I sent you a private message. Look at the right corner of the page.

I agree with above comments

by janetinak - 2011-08-24 06:08:30

I am on # 3 PM & altho I had a problem with regulation of #1 & it only lasted 2+ yrs but that was in 2003 & very good since.And as I felt so much better with PM than w/o it it was OK. Had #3 PM put in yesterday & all OK so far. Was day surgery & in/out in in about 4 hrs. And some of that was waiting on rides. I was anxious too even tho # 3 but I followed Don's rule & didn't freak out. I will telling you that post-operative surgery is a little more painful that ones after that. I even was able to sleep on my left side last night (PM on the left) & only a little sore when I got up & cpmpletely pain free now few hrs later. So look at the brochures & complications that can occur & then realize those #'s are quite small what with all of us running around with devices. And as has been saiod before folks usually come on here 'cause they have problems & some of us thry to offer support with our own experiences.

So let us know how great it went when your comfortable to do that.

Janet

I agree with above comments

by janetinak - 2011-08-24 06:08:31

I am on # 3 PM & altho I had a problem with regulation of #1 & it only lasted 2+ yrs but that was in 2003 & very good since.And as I felt so much better with PM than w/o it it was OK. Had #3 PM put in yesterday & all OK so far. Was day surgery & in/out in in about 4 hrs. And some of that was waiting on rides. I was anxious too even tho # 3 but I followed Don's rule & didn't freak out. I will telling you that post-operative surgery is a little more painful that ones after that. I even was able to sleep on my left side last night (PM on the left) & only a little sore when I got up & cpmpletely pain free now few hrs later. So look at the brochures & complications that can occur & then realize those #'s are quite small what with all of us running around with devices. And as has been saiod before folks usually come on here 'cause they have problems & some of us thry to offer support with our own experiences.

So let us know how great it went when your comfortable to do that.

Janet

I agree with above comments

by janetinak - 2011-08-24 06:08:36

I am on # 3 PM & altho I had a problem with regulation of #1 & it only lasted 2+ yrs but that was in 2003 & very good since.And as I felt so much better with PM than w/o it it was OK. Had #3 PM put in yesterday & all OK so far. Was day surgery & in/out in in about 4 hrs. And some of that was waiting on rides. I was anxious too even tho # 3 but I followed Don's rule & didn't freak out. I will telling you that post-operative surgery is a little more painful that ones after that. I even was able to sleep on my left side last night (PM on the left) & only a little sore when I got up & cpmpletely pain free now few hrs later. So look at the brochures & complications that can occur & then realize those #'s are quite small what with all of us running around with devices. And as has been saiod before folks usually come on here 'cause they have problems & some of us thry to offer support with our own experiences.

So let us know how great it went when your comfortable to do that.

Janet

You have...

by donr - 2011-08-24 08:08:03

...every right to be anxious! Don't feel like you are alone. Just about every PM host got that way before the implant.

You have one issue so completely correct that it is funny. The attendees at this forum are NOT a scientifically selected sample of all the hosts in the world of PM's. Look at yourself - you came here because you had concerns. There are multiple millions of PM hosts running around out there (Literally!) who are happy as clams & could care less about anything to do w/ their PM's. There are only 14,000 members here. And...a truly disproportionate number of the members are truly troubled by some issue. There are others of us (Like me, f'rinstance) who are at peace w/ their PM, go through life for years w/o issues, but obviously enjoy talking w/ folks like you who have a problem of some sort & want help.

Now, life w/ my PM has NOT been a bowl of cherries by any stretch - broken lead after 4 yrs, battery died after 7 yrs, developed new cardiac problems that had to be addressed. But, hey, life goes on & all the alternatives were/are worse.

Been a PM host since Feb 2003. I'm 75. There are folks here who have been hosts for tens of yrs & are totally PM dependent. They will chime in as soon as they wakeup, I'm sure.

I'll give you my standard line: "You are authorized to be anxious - but you are NOT authorized to freak out!".

I have no idea if the probabilities of adverse events you mentioned are correct - but they must be or they would not give them to you in writing. Remember, that you are going to be facing a procedure that has some mighty sick people involved. The skill of the surgeon is critical for success. They obviously didn't give you the same warning sheet I got, 'cause mine had the morbid last adverse result called "Death." Fer cryin' out loud, that was even on the sheet they gave me prior to cataract surgery - & that's a 20 min procedure on the eye that doesn't even draw blood!

Look at the positive side - you have a 98%+ probability of coming through it in fine shape, w/ a positive outcome. Perhaps even better, since you say you are young & in otherwise good health.

You've come to the right place to smear balm on the raw sores of your anxiety!

Good luck.

Don

pacemaker/ ICD

by Deb - 2011-08-24 10:08:50

Don is right, you have every right to be anxious. It is a normal response to being told you need a PM. I do not remember my ICD implant as it was done after a cardiac arrest and 3 days in a coma. I had short term memory loss. That was 4 years ago. I haven't had a problem with it. infact sometimes I even forget I have 1. It takes time though. It's a little hard to get used to but with time it gets a lot easier.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep its scary...

by Lisarose - 2011-08-25 06:08:29

Hi Lee,
don't sweat it, its a scary concept, I recieved my pacemaker two months ago do to what sounds like to be the very reason you will get yours, its called cardiogenic syncope, and its usually a pain in the butt to pass out all the time, however, I too suffered a cardiac arrest that lasted 17 seconds, now I have this pace maker, and while it sucks, (am 46), I am glad to have it.... please take care, don't be too hard on yourself, its a tough situation but the chances of difficulties truly are remote...
Good luck!!!
Lisarose

Quick update...

by LeeBSFC11 - 2011-10-02 07:10:09

After a postponement of 2 weeks, i had my surgery on Wednesday (28th) and, fingers crossed, it has been a success. The surgery itself was by far the worst part and it felt like at times they were ripping my insides out but i'm just relieved its over. I go back on Wednesday to have it checked again and will probably continue to stress until i know that it hasn't moved/dislodged and will probably begin to relax after that.

The PM is a St Jude Victory DR 5810.

Thank you for the support above.

Lee

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