Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Pain/How to sleep post op

Hi All- I just signed up since having a dual chamber pm implanted Thurs (July 12). I totally did not expect this much pain, especially in my shoulder and at times down my arm. It's not so bad when I am up, but I cannot find a position in bed that will allow me to sleep due to the pain. I am a side sleeper because of a multitude of spine issues all my life but so far have been sleeping on my back on a foam wedge to be slightly elevated. I have two questions for you all: 1. Anyone have more pain i...

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Depressed

I was admitted to the hospital on 7/22/2012 cause I had a lead malfunction,I was there for 4 days before they did surgery and started to get really depressed.Now all I have been doing is crying,cause I didnt think I was going to make it,I was really scared.The surgery was 4.5 hours long with a back up team for open heart surgery I was really afraid.Has anyone been throught this and what did you do to get over being depressed.I am also going on vacation and I am afraid of going,we are flying to M...

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Can anyone relate to this?

I had my pacemaker implanted on May 29, 2012 for slow heart rate and syncope. No energy at first and sore, but last week I started to feel much better I even took two walks one a day for about a mile each with little to no issue, then a day later I took a the same walk and felt worn out.

I could feel my pacemaker after the walk. I usually feel it in my neck then lose energy for the rest of the day; I just don’t feel like moving. I also get strange ringing in my ears when I...

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New to Forum

Hi my name is Mark. I have Cardiomyopathy and my Cardiologist had referred me to a pace maker specialist. I met with him yesterday and he said I am a good candidate to have a pacmaker to synchronize the heart. One side pumps slower then the other.

Just trying to get some feed back on the pro's & Cons.

I am 51 years old

Thanks

Mark

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location of pm

Am having PM implanted Thursday and am asking if there are options as to where the PM is located and is there are what are they?

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What is the normal recovery time of a pacemake wit

It has been 7 weeks going on 8 and I feel worse than I did before the surgery. I am very weak and I have very SOB. I am 73 years odl and overweight. Is this normal and when will I get my energy back. I am afraid to exercise ;would it help me to exercise?

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pacemaker

Hi,

Can anybody tell me if the stomach pacemaker works.  I have just been told I have to have one fitted.  The reason is my stomach does not work; my food will not digest.

I need to know how long I will be in the hospital and what is the recovery time.  My food will not digest and stays in my stomach up to 36 hrs. 

Thank you,

Shirley

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unplugged

i had pacemaker surgery in early march started do stuff like raking the lawn and digging the garden and them about 6 weeks after the surgery my heart flatlined 7 times.they had to replace one of the leads as it became detatched from the heart so now in back at square one and my doc is taking extra precautions like not using my arms for 6 weeks so looks like im taking the summer off.by the way my diagnosis was full block and i drive truck and do heavy lifting so it will be a while before i can...

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1st time pacemaker. Placement?

I received a surprise pacemaker this past Thursday evening after I lost consciousness and had a 20 second pause. I was wearing a holter monitor at the time.

I didn't have a chance to do research, etc as they said a 20 second pause is significant and I believe I have had these types of episodes before.

Anyway, I am 6 day post op and as my wound heals, I notice placement seems awfully close to my shoulder. The edge is literally where my arm and chest meet. Please note th...

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Anyone had a Biotronic pacemaker?

Hello all, I am a newcomer here who had his first PM
implanted two days ago. I am quite amazed that I came home the next day with no wound pain at all. It is fitted just under the skin, and I understand it is set to pace at 60 in the night, when I had the main problem of very low pulse rate and 3 second gaps. They have supplied a CardioMessenger for night monitoring as well, the data is sent to the doctor who is able to ask me to call him via a mobile network which causes a light to blink...

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under skin vs. under muscle

Recently had pm put in. I am 44 years old and am an active person an am also a hairstylist. I had my pace maker put in under the skin because I was out of it and my fiance' told the Dr. to do it that way. I am very skinny and it looks hideous and is uncomfortable to sleep on my left side. and uncomfortable to have the seat belt rub against it. Also I am a runner and run the trails which I must admit fallen over roots before. Very scared of the is pm not being tucked under and more protected. M...

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Recovery

Hi everyone! I am a 29 year old single mom to a 3 year old. I am supposed to get my PM mid-July. I am worried about the recovery. After the surgery, when can you be up and around again? Does anyone have any advice as to coping with not being able to use your arm for a month? Also, how do you keep from moving your arm when you sleep? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you :)

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Upcoming Pacemaker

Hi everyone,

I am scheduled to get a pacemaker at 5:30am this friday.  I am kinda freakin out.  I am 26 and have vasovagal syncope and went asystole on the tilt table for 39 seconds. I was wondering what I can/need to expect post op.

Recovery time, pain, and any other information would be great.

Thanks

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What to use for itching?

I finally received my little buddy last Tuesday. The surgery took almost three hours, yikes! Anyways, they closed me up with two layers of internal stitches and then steristrips. The strips came off Sunday (well I took them off in my sleep) and my site is extremely itchy. I was told not to put anything on it but I am scared if I don't I will claw the wound open. Any suggestions?

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ICD

Hi,

I’m new to this and need advice or reassurance that what I’m feeling is normal.

I had my defibrillator implanted 3 weeks ago and I’m still having burning pain and trouble sleeping.  My anxiety level is on high alert wondering what this is going to feel like if it goes off.  I was told the pain would go away after two weeks, but in my case it’s not going anywhere.

I’m also still so tired.  Any a...

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Proud Owner of New Pacemaker and Lead

I’m the proud owner of a new Medtronic Adapta pacemaker and ventricle lead. I was called on Monday and had the surgery done on Wednesday of this week. My pacemaker was re-implanted on the same side as the old one (left side), but the lead was implanted on the right side (would not go in on the left) and had to be tunnelled under my skin over to the device. I hope it doesn’t look like a worm under my skin when I take the bandages off. I will post a picture next week. I was put to sleep for t...

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Pacemakers and laser eye surgery

I need a laser eye procedure for corneal dystrophy and I have a pacemaker.  The eye surgeon will not do any surgery because of the pacemaker.  My eye Dr. suggested a corneal transplant.  The eye surgeon disagrees with the corneal transplant as treatment.

Can the pacemaker be turned off for the procedure and turned back on after surgery?  I am independent and still driving.  Need to do all I can to keep my independence.

Any thoughts???&n...

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CRT-D scheduled

Hi, I am new to this site, I am scheduled to have a CRT-D implanted on July 4th and I am really nervous. I have searched the Internet trying to find out what it is like for a woman to live with one. I have CHF and all the goodies that goes along with it; enlarged heart, LBBB, low ejection fraction, and so on. My doctor says I need to have this. I have two grandsons that I would like to watch grow up, so I will.

Will it really make me feel better?  Will my life really get back to...

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Pacemaker Put In 3 Days Ago

I'm and 18 year old girl and I just had PM surgery 3 days ago. After four years of diagnosed bradycardia and AV Block type 1 and 2, my cardiologist finally decided a pacemaker was necessary. I'm in a lot of pain with a lot of swelling. The prescribed vicodin gives me nausea and hasn't helped much with the overall pain. I wear my sling only when I get out of bed. Sleeping is very difficult due to pain and discomfort. I was just curious about how others recovery process went and how they dealt wit...

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June 28

I'm getting my first pm in a few weeks. My dad was in his mid-60's when he did a face plant into his dinner plate and barely made it the hospital in time. And now it's my turn...I'll be 50 in July and I still have two kids at home. Any wisdom to share? I love roller coasters, loud music, my iPod, iPad and I'm very active. Not I'm ready for this, but the alternative is scarier.

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You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.