Please share your PM recovery story

I am quite nervous waiting to get my PM on 4/9. They are sending me home the same day. Do I need someone to stay with me and if so, how long? I am usually the caregiver and not comfortable being waited on, but I do want to heal properly.

Can some of you please share your surgery & recovery story with me so I'll know what to expect? Details are appreciated, as are any tips or advice.

Thanks,

Brenda

12 Comments

recovery time

by jcheezer - 2009-04-05 11:04:17

Hi Brenda, not sure what you circumstances are but I'm suprised that they are sending you home so soon. I have had my pm for about 7 months now. I was in hospital for 24 hours after i got it. I was not well for some time before so maybe that is why i was required to stay for a day after surgery. Do expect to be sore so if you have someone there to look after you then let them. I know that I did not feel like doing much of anything for at least 1 week. The Dr. instructed not lifting my left arm above my shoulder for 6 weeks, not sure what your Dr. will instruct. Take time to heal, it may take a while but it does get better. Good luck to you.

Recovery

by ElectricFrank - 2009-04-05 11:04:27

Brenda,
First, a few things to consider in advance of your implant surgery.

You have some options as far as anesthesia for the surgery. One is being completely out, which is rarely necessary. Another is to have one of the amnesia type meds (like Versaid) which leave you conscious, but supposedly no memory of the event, or be completely awake and be injected with a local numbing agent (like the dentist uses). It is helpful to consider what you want in advance rather than be confronted with it on surgery day. I chose to be completely wake and found the surgery easy to handle. This has the advantage of almost immediate recovery when the surgery is over.

As for recovery the implant site will be sore like any surgical incision. The usual site just under the skin below your collar bone is the most common, but women often choose to have it implanted under a breast for cosmetic reasons. This site tends to be more tender for longer because of disturbing more sensitive tissue. ( I can't claim experience in this case)

They will instruct you not to raise your arm on the pacemaker site above your shoulders for somewhere between 2-8 weeks. This is too protect the lead wires from being pulled out of the heart wall. They may also want you to keep the arm in a sling for a few days. I found the sling they gave me was a "cheapie" and not very effective. I picked up a better one at the pharmacy.

One suggestion for comfort is to sleep on the side opposite the pacer site and put a pillow in front of you to support the upper arm. This keeps the upper arm from squeezing the site and waking you up.

As far as needing care as long as you can take care of yourself without lifting the arm you can do almost anything. While my wife was around to take some of the load off me, I could have handled things myself. I got out and started walking right away.

best wishes,

frank

No surprise...

by muirghe - 2009-04-05 11:04:27

Hi Brenda, I am not surprised about being sent home the same day. In January, my surgery was 9am and I was home for dinner at 6pm the same day. I only felt I needed to take T3's for one day and then nothing. Do try to keep your left arm immobilized somehow, it is easy to forget and lift it higher than you should right away.

Personally, I milked it a bit, my husband was off work for 14 months with a herniated disk and surgery so it was a little bit of pay back but he was happy to help me out. Mainly he was propping me up with pillows to help me sleep more comfortably. You will probably be back-sleeping for the first while. If you are allowed to drive, you may want to get a fuzzy seatbelt sleeve so you don't have the pressure on your incision.

All in all, I was back to work two weeks post-surgery. I still am careful with my arms overhead. You just need to really listen to your body. Anything wierd...go see your Dr.

Take care and let us know how it all goes.

Jane

Recovery

by Hot Heart - 2009-04-06 01:04:22

Hi there! I wasnt quite the usual pm case, because I'd had major surgery on my upper legs and lipo on my knees and ankles the day before I got my pm.

However, the pm part of the few days wasnt a problem. Was terrified before I had it done, felt so silly afterwards, it was fine. Stayed awake and chatted to the nurse who held my hand, no pain, just a very slight discomfort.

As soon as I'd been paced was taken into recovery, where I sat and ate a big dinner a pudding and then went on the internet with one of the nurses showing her my daughters internet dress shop.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Hope This Helps...

by Pookie - 2009-04-06 03:04:38

I found this article and thought it might help:

Living With Your Pacemaker


Now that you have a pacemaker (or soon may get one), you may be wondering why you need one and how a pacemaker works. Your artificial pacemaker is a modern marvel; it's medical science's solution to the electrical problems of a slow or irregular heartbeat. But before you can understand how your pacemaker works, you first need to know a little about your heart. Basically, your heart is a pump made of special muscle. It pumps blood to all your body's cells. This is vital, because the blood carries oxygen and nourishment to keep your cells alive and healthy.

Your heart beats (pumps blood) because special cells in your heart (the heart's natural pacemaker, called the sinus node) produce electrical impulses. These cause your heart to contract and pump blood. The impulses travel from the pacemaker cells down certain electrical paths in the muscle walls, causing a contraction. As long as the electrical impulses flow down your heart's walls at regular intervals, your heart pumps at a rhythmic pace. Sometimes, though, something happens to interfere with how the electrical impulses of your heart's natural pacemaker are made or flow down your heart. When this occurs, the natural pacemaker can't do its job as well as it needs to.

Problems that change the heart rhythm include:

A complete block of the heart's electrical pathway
A slow beat
An irregular rhythm

If you have a slow and often irregular heartbeat — or if your heartbeat is sometimes normal and sometimes too fast or too slow — blood isn't pumped around your body well. In that case your doctor may recommend an artificial pacemaker. A pacemaker will make your heart beat more regularly. That will help ensure that enough oxygen and nourishment gets to your body's cells. An artificial pacemaker system has two parts: a generator and wires (leads).

The pacemaker generator is a small battery-powered unit. It produces the electrical impulses that start your heartbeat. The generator is implanted under your skin through a small incision. The generator is connected to your heart through tiny wires that are implanted at the same time. The impulses flow through these leads to your heart and are timed to flow at regular intervals just as impulses from your heart's natural pacemaker would.

Modern pacemakers last much longer than earlier models. As with any electronic device, your artificial pacemaker will require some care. The batteries, for example, will wear down over time and the pacemaker will need to be replaced. This is a minor surgical procedure. Your healthcare provider can explain it to you. (I personally don't know if I agree with these 2 last statements!!)

Most pacemakers work only when they're needed. They're called demand pacemakers. Demand pacemakers have a sensing device that shuts them off if the heartbeat is above a certain rate. When the heart is beating slower than the pacemaker rate, the sensing device turns the pacemaker on again. In this way, a demand pacemaker works something like a thermostat. The difference is that instead of working according to temperature, it works according to your heart rate.

As the batteries wear down, your pacemaker will slow down, but it won't stop right away. Using a special analyzer, your doctor can detect the first warning that the batteries are running down. This can be done before you can detect any changes yourself. A sudden, major slowing down of your heart rate, which you may detect, probably indicates a more serious problem. If that occurs, call your doctor.

Pookie

Another Article...

by Pookie - 2009-04-06 03:04:58

Managing Your Pacemaker

Do your part in managing your pacemaker. You may have to have someone help you, but there are certain things you'll need to do to manage your pacemaker successfully. These include:
Understand your acceptable heart rate. Before you leave the hospital, discuss with your doctor the specific maximum heart rate above your pacemaker rate that's acceptable. Discuss the programmed lower and upper rate for your pacemaker, too. Talking about this with your doctor early in your treatment will keep you from worrying unnecessarily.

Take your pulse and keep a record for your doctor. Counting your pulse is a good way to check that your heart is pumping correctly. Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through your blood vessels. By putting your fingertips on a point on the inside of your wrist or over an artery in your neck, you can feel this beat (pulse). The number of pulse beats per minute is the same as the number of heartbeats. Count your pulse for one full minute, note the number of beats and see if it's in the range that your doctor told you was acceptable for your pacemaker. If your pulse is very slow or very fast, call your doctor. Use these guidelines for pacemakers and pulse counts:

If your pacemaker is beating regularly and at or above its proper rate, it's OK.

If your heart is beating close to or within the accepted rate but has an occasional irregularity, don't worry. Every now and then your own heart's natural pacemaker competes with the man-made one. Some extra beats that the pacemaker can sense electrically won't result in a pulse that you can feel.

If your pulse rate suddenly drops below the accepted rate or increases dramatically, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor will tell you what to do. It may be possible to program your pacemaker so it resumes working normally, or there may be some other problem.

If your pacemaker is installed for a fast-slow type of heartbeat and your pulse is rapid and irregular (above 120 beats per minute), call your doctor for more instructions.

If your pulse is beating faster than you've noticed before — but below 100 beats per minute — don't be alarmed.

Take prescribed medications. It's important to follow instructions and take prescribed medicine by following directions precisely. The reason is that the medicine works with the pacemaker and helps your heart pump regularly. Your doctor may ask you to keep a record of when you take your medication by marking a calendar.

Follow all instructions regarding diet and physical activity. Allow about eight weeks for your pacemaker to settle firmly in place. During this time, avoid sudden, jerky or violent actions that will cause your arm to pull away from your body.

Other warnings and information

Avoid causing pressure over the area of your chest where your pacemaker was put in. Women may find it more comfortable to wear a small pad over the incision as protection from their bra strap.

Feel free to take baths and showers. Your pacemaker is completely protected against contact with water.

Follow the program of activity outlined by your doctor. Car, train or airplane trips pose no danger.

People with pacemakers can continue their usual sexual activity.

Perform some kind of physical activity every day, whatever kind you enjoy. You might try taking a short walk, or moving your arms and legs to help your circulation. If you're not sure about exercising, ask your doctor for advice. You may be able to perform all normal activities for a person of your age.
Don't overdo it — quit before you get tired. The proper amount of activity should make you feel better, not worse.

Report to your doctor if:

You have difficulty breathing.
You begin to gain weight and your legs and ankles swell.
You faint or have dizzy spells.

Tell physicians, dentists and other health professionals that you have a pacemaker. Physicians or dentists need to know that you have a pacemaker. Tell them about it before you have any work done. Notify the doctor or nurse where you work. Modern pacemakers have built-in features to protect them from most types of interference produced by other electrical devices you might encounter in your daily routine. Household appliances such as microwave ovens, televisions, radios, stereos, vacuum cleaners, electric brooms, electric blankets, electric knives, hair dryers, shavers, gardening machinery, toasters, food processors and can openers won't affect your pacemaker. Most office and light shop equipment such as computers, typewriters, copy machines, woodworking shop tools and metalworking tools also pose no risk to your pacemaker.

If you suspect interference with your pacemaker, simply move away or turn off the equipment. Your pacemaker won't be permanently damaged and will resume its normal activity. Consult your doctor about special situations (such as working with high-current industrial equipment and powerful magnets). Surgical procedures also count as special situations. Certain types of medical equipment, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, can also affect how a pacemaker works.

Always carry your identification card. In any kind of accident, your I.D. card will tell the people helping you that you have a pacemaker. Your card can be particularly handy if you travel by air. The metal-detection devices in airports may detect the metal in your pacemaker, although they won't damage it. Showing your card may save you some inconvenience.

Keep all medical appointments. To work properly, your pacemaker should be checked periodically to find out how the leads are working and how the battery is doing. Today many thousands of people have pacemakers and lead full, productive lives. Pacemakers are usually safe and reliable, but they do need to be checked regularly. The easiest way to check your pacemaker is to take your pulse. Taking medicine as prescribed and seeing your doctor regularly will also help. Your doctor can explain things you don't understand.

Pookie

Why I am getting a PM

by Brendakt54 - 2009-04-06 04:04:00

First of all, thank you all for your most encouraging replies, advice and articles!!

I wanted to give you a little history of how I ended up becoming a *Pacer Chick.*

Heart attack at 39 (I'm 54 now). 30% muscle damage from that.

Dx with Dilated CM in 2002.

Doctors always mentioned a LBBB but never explained it or acted like it mattered much.

Dx with uterine cancer in 2007. Had complete hysterectomy and 33 tx of radiation.

For the last year, I have had no energy. It really got bad the last few months to where I got SOB singing one hymn at Church.

PCP suspected anemia and I figured that was what it was, along with after effects from the radiation.

She encouraged me to see my cardiologist to make sure. I found a new one, who I like very much. He did a cardiac MRI and said my EF is 25%, I have a LBBB, heart is enlarged so much that there is no room for it to grow larger. My heart beat is out of rhythm I guess because of the LBBB.

After the MRI, he said luckily I was a good candidate for a PM with debib because Plan B was a heart transplant.

I never feared anything in my life like I have this PM and CHF in general. I have been panicking quietly to myself. My family and friends say so many people get them now a days that it's not a big deal. But it is a very big deal to me.

I think I fear getting shocked the most. I drive to Florida (10 hours) alone all the time to visit my grown kids and new grand daughter. I wonder if I can still do that.

However, this support forum is slowly easing the panic somewhat and I'm trying to stay positive because that's how I usually am.

Sorry for rambling. Love this forum. You guys rock!!

Brenda

LBBB

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-06 04:04:34

Brenda, compared to what you've already been through, this is barely more than a cut on the finger! You've been through so much worse.

Pm will not do anything about the enlarged heart but it will wire around the LBBB which will regulate your rhythm. The increased efficiency should, but may not, increase your EF but you should feel better and have more energy when you get in sync.

What part of Fl are your kids in? I'm in Jupiter. I just got back last night from Pa, drove all 16 hrs by myself with my two kids. :o) My problem is different from yours so go by what your doctor tells you, but just having a pm isn't reason to stay home when you want to be out doing something fun. I suspect most of your drive is not huge stretches of deserted highway but heavily traveled interstate so it's no more unsafe than driving locally.

Getting used to having a pm and learning to trust it takes time but the trust will come as you feel better and your condition is managed. I'm 42 now, got my first pm at 27 and I rarely give it a thought.

Esp if you live alone and drive distances, you will want some type of medical id, if you don't already have one. If you want recommendations, let us know.

Savannah

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-06 05:04:30

We stopped overnight in Savannah on the way up. We couldn't get on the road until my oldest got home from school so we didn't get too far! We will probably get up again in the summer, late July or early Aug. I don't usually go for spring break but our ski plans fell apart so I loaded the kids in the van and took off to see my grandparents. My husband thinks I'm crazy, you'd think he'd be used to it by now :o) I would love to meet you next time we pass through! Or next time you're in Vero, it's only an hour from here.

Savannah is a lovely city! I had my Girl Scout troop up there last year for a heritage trip.

What part of FL?

by Brendakt54 - 2009-04-06 05:04:58

Tracey, I was born and raised in Vero Beach. Most of my family and friends are still there. My two grown kids live in Ft. Myers. My grandchild, Abby, is only 5 months old. It kills me not being able to see her at the drop of a pin.

I'm now in Savannah, Ga., so next time you take that trip to Pa and need a pit stop or want to have lunch or something, I'm only a few miles off of I-95.

I'm feeling better with every reply here.

Thank you ALL.

Brenda

good luck

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-06 09:04:38

Hi Brenda,
Not all doctors keep us overnight for a pm implant. You don't really need hospital care that first night but a lot of doctors like to do an xray at 24 hrs to make sure the leads are still in place. So, it's not common to go home so quickly but it's not unheard of or dangerous either.

Frank covered most of the advice I usually give. ;o) Esp the pillow! Wear a loose top that buttons up the front to the hospital, you won't want to pull anything over your head the first few days. If you can stay with a friend or have someone stay with you, great, but if not don't sweat it. You'll mostly want to sleep the first day or two, depending on what type of anesthesia you had. Your left side will be sore and your arm may be in a sling but you won't have any trouble getting around or taking care of yourself. You won't be able to raise your left arm higher than your shoulder so showering and washing your hair gets a bit tricky.

They gave me something for pain in the hospital but I never took more than Tylenol after I got home. I took it easy for a few days, was back at work in less than a week and went to a neighborhood block party the day after I was discharged.

You didn't say why you're getting a pm. Your condition will determine how quickly you feel good again. I have a complete av block and bounced back better than ever almost immediately. If you have any questions or want to chat, please let us know. There are a lot of us here and we're always willing to lend an ear or a shoulder and answer questions.

You came to the right place

by Cosmic - 2009-04-06 11:04:20

First I have to say you are asking the right people. I found the Pacemaker Club early like you and was able to find answers to all my questions before and after. They answer truthfully, and that's what you want.

I'm about 6 weeks into my PM, and I can't believe the easy ride I've had. Talk about an instant fix, I had them put me totally out. I didn’t think I needed to be involved in any of the “Gray’s Anatomy” gossip….. Just kidding. But when I woke up I couldn’t believe how much better I felt, and still can’t for that matter. I catch myself walking around whistling and grinning. I’ve had more trouble with the hair growing back on my chest than anything else.

Keep the arm down and realize that no matter how you feel initially, it’s only going to get better. Oh, they’ll want to X-ray your chest after surgery and before you leave. Even though the doctor says to keep the arm down, the X-ray tech has no qualms about asking you to raise it so they can take their picture. Ignore them and do not raise it more than just enough to get it out of the way.

Everything you can or could do you’ll be able to do and do better. Tell everyone how well you feel and why, I found it helpful in coping with my being Bionic. You’ll find that most folks already know someone that has a PM and they’ll tell you how great their life has been. Thing is dwell on how well you feel, that’s the important thing. Oh, keep a pin and paper handy, if you feel something going on, heart does a little flip flop or something, write down what you were doing and what time of the day it was, helps the Doctor immensely.

Just have an easy ride…..

You know you're wired when...

You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.

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