Upcoming pacemaker

Hi,

I've just joined this site after finding our I'm getting a pacemaker shortly. I've had open heart surgery as a baby and at 21 this is the first real issue I've had. After fainting on holiday and a lot of dizzy spells an ECG showed my heart has been getting a lot slower, I got given a reveal device which further proved this.

I'm really nervous about getting a pacemaker. I'm in my final year of uni, an active lacrosse player and I love running and going out clubbing. I was wondering how long does it usually take to be able to get back to these things? What's the sort of recovery period? 

I'm also worried about being able to feel and see it through my skin, does this happen often? I'm quite a thin girl and this really worries me (I know it's a silly thing to worry about but I have a lot of scars over my body and I'm worried I'll be self concious about it).

Any advice on what to expect would be amazing.

Thank you


2 Comments

Normalcy will return quickly

by Bxpacer - 2017-11-19 02:20:47

Hi! Most placements are a breeze and you should be ok to go back to all your activities within 6 weeks. I got my first one when I was 30 and the biggest issue was not the device but waiting for the incision to heal. I was told not to lift anything above my shoulder for the first 2 weeks. By the second week i couldn't feel that I recently had it put in. The only thing I would inquire about is playing lacrosse. They would probably be concerned about you getting hit by the ball on the PM spot so ask about that. Aside from that,  after 11 years,  I can run and bike as my motivation feels (whole different challenge there) and don't even know I have the pacemaker.  

As far as the way it looks now, after all these years, it is just a small bump in my chest as the devices are getting thinner. 

All the best in your upcoming procedure. I am always thankful these devices exist to allow us to live normal lives. 

 

been there, done that

by Tracey_E - 2017-11-20 21:52:48

I was super underweight and just a few years older than you when I got my first pacer and had the same concerns. My cardio called in a plastic surgeon and they buried it under my breast. They made the incision low enought that it's covered by a tank and most bathing suit tops, and it's small enough that I'm not self-conscious about strapless. Talk to your doctor in advance about placement. Some docs are more comfortable than others with placing it creatively. If your doctor is one of them, ask about a plastic surgeon. It worked out great for me- cardiologist could focus on what he's good at, probably the easiest job of the day for the plastic surgeon, and I got a comfortable, inconspicuous placement. 

I only took something stronger than over the counter pain pills at night after the first day or two. I laid low the first week, iced a lot, then got back to my usual schedule just moving a little more slowly and napping most days the next few weeks. You can go out and do what you want as soon as you feel up to it but it'll probably be 6-8 weeks until you can play lacrosse again. Because mine is buried, it was more like 3 months before I didn't feel it and was back to my full workout routine. Not saying it hurt that long, but that's now long it took until I stopped babying it and being extra careful. 

Once you heal, you are going to find that you feel a lot better, more energy, no dizzy spells. That will  make uni and lacrosse easier! I've had mine 23 years now and I feel great. There's nothing I want to do that I cannot.

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.