If your Dr. or Rep. had only told you.....

I see that a lot of members were sent home from the hospital without much information from their doctor or PM representatives. What are a few things you wish they had warned you about?
BP

5 Comments

if only

by belly321 - 2007-10-23 05:10:52

i agree with boatman its a very good question
i had my pacemaker put in as a semi emergency and reading the posts i see a lot of people in the same position
i think it would have been helpful to have had an appointment after surgery with a nurse/pm rep to have had pacemakers and their function explained in more detail to me as well as reassurance as there was no time before hand for many questions and afterwards i think i became very anxious due to the shock of it all and i had very little information about my diagnosis and what i could and couldnt do and what to expect especially during the checks and fine tweeking! and actually the most information and reassurance i have recieved has been through this club so thanks to you all

Good question

by boatman50 - 2007-10-23 05:10:54

I wish the doctor from the first operation told me not to lift my arm up over my shoulder for awhile, to take it easy, that he had no idea why my heart stopped and see an EP.

warnings

by randrews - 2007-10-23 09:10:54

I wished that someone had been more real with me. I was never told what some of the feelings and symptoms I might experience. It was never mentioned that recovery takes time. It's not instantaneous. The doctors and nurses just don't get it. They know the theory and they know how to appy the knowledge. But when I experienced something outside the theoretical realm, they just blew me off. They don't understand.
It's this site that gave me peace of mind and comfort knowing that it's normal to not feel great right away. but in time you can feel good
Rusty

Seems to be the norm.

by amanda - 2007-10-24 04:10:48

I also was sent home with little or no information on what to expect but I was asked not to lift my left arm over my shoulder. Most of the information I needed was gained by reading posts on this forum and studying the medical sites on the internet. thankfully everything was fine but I do feel patients are made to feel more is expected of them straight away than what there should be. My advice, only do what you are comfortable with at first.

outpatient

by dgknecht - 2007-10-24 10:10:36

outpatient surgery stinks!!! i wish i had not been awake.
not much we can do tho when at the mercy of the insurance companies. i hated the whole "adjustment" procedure, when they were setting the PM rate, at one point it felt like i was in arrest, and i had to complain a couple of times to get them to quit. i couldn't breath and it felt like i had an elephant on my chest. i still don't like the
PM checks in the DR's office when they play with the rates.

You know you're wired when...

You forecast electrical storms better than the weather network.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.