The Unknown
I go in for my surgery on Friday June 30th and I'm trying to stay positive, but there are times over the past week that I have broke down. I'm 38, very active and I want to get back into a normal routine, whatever the new normal will be, as soon as possible.
I need my PM due to BRADY as I have had two syncopal events with the last one being while driving on the interstate. My EP feels this is the route that is needed to keep me profused so I stay upright. My wife directed me here to get more information and to help me work through things.
I do Crossfit and see that I will be able to get back into the gym, but I will have to slowly work back into things. I haven't figured out how to search the forums yet, but is there anyone else that pitches for fastpitch softball? It is something that I have done for over 20 years and I want to get back to this fall. I just had my last games last night before surgery adn had a great night at the plate and I want to get back in the box quickly.
Thanks for allowing me to ramble and for everyone's posts that are helping me to work through things.
Nate
9 Comments
fear
by Tracey_E - 2017-06-28 15:05:18
Fear is normal! But passing out at random is more scary than having a little computer making sure my heart doesn't go too slowly, JMHO. I found that the surgery was easier than expected and after I felt better than I ever thought I could. We adapt and compensate and make excuses, but many of us learn when we have a normal heart rate again that we didn't feel quite as well as we thought we did.
Have you discussed placement with your surgeon? If we are very active, they can put it a little lower and deeper, or sometimes under the pectoral, so it doesn't get in our way. You'll want it low enough that when you have the bar in front rack position that it's not putting any pressure on the device or leads. It's usually not a problem anyway, but be really clear with your surgeon up front what your needs are.
There are quite a few of us here who do Crossfit. I've been doing it for 6+ years, have been paced since 1994. I do whatever I want, with my cardiologists's blessing. Some limit weight overhead or anything hanging from the pull up bar, but most of us have no restrictions.
They will probably want you to wait 4-6 weeks to get back to it, then ease into it. I had a replacement last year and it was moved to a new location. He didn't want me getting sweaty for 30 days (infection risk, nothing to do with the pacer itself). It was about 3 months before I was back to all moves, old weights, no twinges. Not saying it hurt for 3 months, just that it's that long before I stopped being cautious and noticing it. You'll be able to tell if something doesn't feel right, ease up and try it again in a week. As you are getting back to your old routine, you're bound to aggravate the scar tissue. Ice will help.
When you are active again, you may find that your stamina isn't back to what it should be right away. Settings are a little tricker on us than sedentary patients, so it's normal to take a few tries to get it fine tuned. If you don't feel right, tell them right away so they can see what it's doing and adjust.
There's a tiny little search icon in the upper right corner just under the banner.
Placement
by nas49840 - 2017-06-28 17:54:40
I have talked to my EP about placement and he is going to put it under the muscle and he is fully aware of my desires to get back into all my activities. I also learned long ago to keep my ego in check with Crossfit and I know this will be no different. Thank you for your response.
Stay positive
by Debbie-55 - 2017-06-28 22:05:39
Nate, I received my crt-d on June 20th. I had my emotions like a roller coaster. Like you, I just wanted a normal life. Surprisingly, the surgery was very easy. I spent the night and went home the next day. I was so nervous I thought I wouldn't make the surgery. I understand your concerns. 8 days post op, I feel good- energy level isn't where I want to be but I am a realist- I just had a foreign object put in my chest.Because I had heard about having a deeper placement, I spoke to my Ep about the pros and cons. The only con for me, I was very sore because I do a lot of lifting in my job which meant he had to develope a deeper pocket in my developed pectoral muscle. I used a lot of ice and it helped better than Tylenol. I never used any heavy medicine at home because the pain was very tolerable with ice. My energy is getting better everyday. I think your mental state is half the battle. Listen to your body. When you get home, what is normal for you may not be the same for others, so listen to YOUR body. You are young, physically fit and you will be amazing. I was so nervous before the surgery, I wasted valuable energy for no reason, I know that now. 8 days post op, I am very positive I will resume my normal life after my 6 weeks, limited movement of my arm. You will be better than most because you are young and have the desire. Good luck on your surgery on Friday, I was just there and I am so much better today than before my surgery, and I am 62. I am anxious to get my life back too, and going back to the job I love, working for the greatest airline. We will get there because we are determined!!! Stay in touch...❤️
aint no thing
by dwelch - 2017-06-29 22:16:37
You are going to be fine. A few week vacation starting tomorrow. But then you will work back into your normal routine, except your heart is better...Did see anyting in your post that you would have to give up...
Enjoy the ride, you only get your first pacer once...number two, three, etc are different rides and to some extent easier. Im on number five...
Good luck !!
by Debbie-55 - 2017-06-30 00:02:15
Nate, Friday is a new beginning- a rebirth of good health. You will be fine. We are all hear for you!! Good luck my friend, if you need anything, just ask??? Debbie ❤️❤️
Good luck !!
by Debbie-55 - 2017-06-30 00:02:17
Nate, Friday is a new beginning- a rebirth of good health. You will be fine. We are all hear for you!! Good luck my friend, if you need anything, just ask??? Debbie ❤️❤️
It's in
by nas49840 - 2017-07-02 12:23:48
Thank you everyone for your support. I have a Boston scientific PM model L131. My EP placed it under the pec and it is very sore still. I spent a day a a half in the hospital because my metabolism works so well they had to tranquilize me like a horse to keep me from waking up during the procedure. Other than the soreness things aren't too bad right now.
Nate
You know you're wired when...
Your device makes you win at the slot machines.
Member Quotes
A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.
You're going to be fine
by Gotrhythm - 2017-06-28 14:37:51
When I consider that I was driving while having brady episodes--Yikes! I must have given my guardian angel a nervous breakdown. And I had everybody else's angels working overtime.
Personally, I don't think it's possible to get too much information. The more you know about your condition, the heart's eletrical system, and how your pacemaker works, the better questions you will ask, and the better you will be able to advocate for yourself.
You're young, healthy, fit, and motivated to get back to living your life. There's no reason you shouldn't sail through the operation and recovery with hardly a break in your stride. Just remember slow and steady wins the race.
Being younger and active, you're not a typical heart patinet. It's possible that in a few weeks, the settings on your pacemaker will need to be adjusted to fit your lifestyle.
Keep coming back.