pacemaker

Hi, my name is Karen and I’m 45.  I had a phone call from a consultant on a Friday at home; he asked me to go in Monday to have a pacemaker fitted as my heart had stoped for 2 beats then 4 beats then 7 beats, this was 3 weeks ago.

I was sent home with a small booklet and told all my tests would be done later as it was important to get pacemaker fitted . I am panicking as I have a lot of questions and worries.  I work on a OAP ward in a hospital and have been told I can go back to work after 4 weeks.  My incision site is still sore and cut raised, do I have to alter my life? and what can and can’t do?  I do feel very alone and isolated; find myself crying a lot. 

Please can someone answer some of my questions?

8 Comments

Welcome

by MSPACER - 2011-11-11 08:11:26

Hi Karen

You've come to the right place. It is very scary at first. I got my first pacemaker when I was 38. I had been an athlete all my life, and I went through similar feelings as well. A pacemaker should not alter your life. You can do just about anything once you have recovered. You shouldn't have to alter your life! There are restrictions the first month about raising your arm, and lifting objects. But the pain eases as the weeks go by, and the scar will eventually heal up and fade. I was back to my cycling within a month of my surgery. Try not to panic-the more you learn about your new pacemaker, the more relaxed you will feel. Today's pacemakers are very advanced, and you don't have to worry too much about interference from different types of devices. Your booklet should explain which devices are safe, which you can use with caution and which should be avoided.

It gets better (hopefully)

by Peterdotcm - 2011-11-12 03:11:06

Its only been 2 weeks for me, and everybody on this site keeps reassuring me th it gets better with time. They`re probably right!

Welcome!!

Peter

Hi & Welcome to the site

by janetinak - 2011-11-12 03:11:44

As the others say it does get better. I am on #3 & it is easier each time. The incision gets better with time. I put vitamin E oil on mine after it completely healed & the redness & raised areas go down. Of course if it get red &/or inflammed/sore it needs to be seen by your Dr. i also was able to gte back to my water exercise program after an adjustment & all is OK now.

Keep asking questions on this site,


Janet

reply

by k4ren - 2011-11-12 08:11:14

thank you for your comments they helped alot

Relax

by sallybags@email.com - 2011-11-12 12:11:11

I'm 57 and got mine in January. After the usual 6 week not lifting arm back to normal. Played basketball 4 times this week and lifted weights 3 days. You should be fine and I know how worried and a wreck I was when I first found out. You'll feel better as time goes on and your doing more and more. Good luck and good health

3 yeara and almost forgot

by rvrs708175 - 2011-11-13 09:11:55

almost forgot that I had a pacemaker three years ago. Feeling fine now. More active than I was, although at 76 (in a few weeks) that's not all that. I wish you well and you are not alone. I felt that way too until I got on this site. I have a great doctor, but this site made me well and happy. Try the jokes section. that will really perk you up. Ann

you'll get through it

by Ajfcabin - 2011-11-15 04:11:23

I was in shock as well when I first got my pacemaker in July- I felt alone and cried and even have anxiety about it at times- I do get anxiety about dying now even tho im 26 and now have a saftey backup- my pacemaker!

for the first couple of months i was sore on my scar still and had trouble sleeping in some positions- but now i can sleep on my side/belly etc and i dont notice. Im back to normal exercising- and I really dont have any restrictions except for when you go through a metal detector.

Keep coming on here for advice- you can also search the forum for help or post or send us messages if you have questions! keep ur chin up- ur not alone!

thank you

by k4ren - 2011-11-16 04:11:55

i'm three weeks post op i am still sore but i am managing to sleep on my side now it is so help full to know i am not on my own seem to have settled a bit i am having all my tests in the next couple of weeks as my pm was put in first i will get results of heart and lung scan on the 16 December i'm sure ill feel better then thank you for all your support

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