Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Return to work limbo, family medical leave act

Pacemaker installed almost 3 weeks ago. Seems there’s a liability issue between my employer and Dr. The Dr. says I can’t return to normal activities for 3 months and my employer isn’t convinced I’m ready to return to work based on the form my Dr. filled out called "Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Health Condition" under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

My supervisor is willing to put me on lighter duty but has...

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BP & HR

Hi ... am due into the hosp. this Wednesday, the 11th, for a PM.  wed. 11th for PM.

I took my BP tonight and it was 135/94 BUT my pulse was 135. I’ve never been aware of pulse before, just my BP, because that is where I have a problem.

Going to cardio tomorrow am to check my INR and possible get Lovenox Shot.

Thanx INGA and DON for your responses to my posting.

GER




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surgery

I was wondering if anyone has heard of having a pacemaker placed under the breast, not the breast muscle, but under the breast itself?

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Cello with a defibrillator

Hi,

Am I crazy or what? I'm getting my first defibrillator on January 12th and am not nervous about it. In fact, I can't wait to get that guardian angel.

My only concern is to know if the defibrillator will restrict my movements when I play cello.

Any cellist out here???

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Replaced...again

I had my first implant a couple of years ago and then around 6 moths later I had a lead extraction/replacement because it had retracted. Both of those times I spent a night in the hospital and was sent home on pain medicine. Today I had my pacemaker relocated and both leads extracted and replaced because neither one was working properly. This time I was sent home two hours after the surgery and with no medicine. I have taken ibuprofen but am having quite a bit of pain and can't get comfortable....

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PM surgery

Hi to all: Big day coming up on the 11th. Goingto have blood work today and Tues. will go to the cardio office for PT INR to see if I will need a 'belly shot' of Lovenox before surgery. The only thing I know is I will be wearing a sling for a week-- no driving for a few days and NO GOLF for a month. It,s going to be a Medtronic device with only one lead. I have Sick Sinus Syndrone. I fel great right now...... anyone out there in the same boat???? GER

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Further Advice 4 weeks post-op

Hi All,

Many thanks for advice given on my previous posting - unfortunately no improvement, if anything i feel even worse, although the pain has eased.

Main symptom being getting out of breath even with the slightest exertion - this is so much worse than before my bi-ventricular placement. I went to my gp as advised, they were 'good' and referred me up to a&e. Chest xray, bloods and ecg done - no problems with any of it, blood pressure high again (165/109). No check was don...

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Insomnia following PM Surgery

Hi All, I'm age 66, a retired (male) psych RN. I got an on demand pacemaker on 12/9/11. My energy level increased a lot and the pacemaker made me feel great. Now I'm able to stay awake all day without having to take my usual afternoon nap (used to nap 2-4 hours!) In addition to the napping I overslept at night (hypersomnia) as much as 10-11 hours. Since the PM surgery I have become just the opposite: I get only 4-5 hours of sleep at night and then I wake up and can't get back to sleep! Sometimes...

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Is a Nook Simple Touch Reader safe?

Hi all,

First of all, a healthy, happy 2012 to you. Let's hope we all have a better year than the previous one. I'm 47 (soon to be 48) and had a pacemaker inserted this past Dec 9, when, during a hysterectomy, I had a cardiac arrest and was asystole for 16 secs. It seems that I have no heart block or anything specifically heart-related that's the problem. All the echos etc were clear. What I have seems to be a relatively rare (and perhaps congenital) condition that involves the Vegus...

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Advice

Hello All,
I am new to this. I have to get a ICD put in on jan 16. It is being put under the muscle. Had heart surgery 2 years ago, but I'm more scared about this surgery. Any advice would b appreciated!! Oh, I'm a 41 yr old female
Thanks

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Patience Patient

Thanks Pookie and Cindy, this is better than quietly worrying on your own.
Definitely not an Auricle but an Atrium! This is the kind of thing my brain is doing at the mo. Not functioning. Get breathless having conversations. My children think I am nuts as I forget things all the time.
Phoned for an appointment with the cardio and was told to go to my GP or the Emergency room as "My Doctor is very busy this week". Cant get past the receptionist.
Still burning/tingling up my neck...

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My Story

http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR?type=fr_personal&fr_id=1150&px=2947490&post_id=153050&bpg=rlist&pg=personal

Copy and paste then search and read ... Enjoy

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New Pacer Patient

I just recieved my pacer Dec 15, 2011. I am doing great so far. Got to get use to the pacer beating faster than my rate use to be around 50-60 and now 70-90. Recovery is going good. I will be glad when I can go back to refereeing basketball ! Thanks for this page and all the prayers !

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3 weeks post op - advice please

Hi,

A newbie here needing a bit of guidance / reassurance.

Biventricular Pacemaker 9th Dec this year, previously had mechanical aortic valve dec 2007 - no symptoms before valve operation, however, since approx 18 months ago have suffered with tiredness, aching legs, numbness, shortness of breath, etc, etc. After numerous tests a decision was made by my cardiologist to have a biventricular pacemaker implanted. I am not due to go back to cardiologist until 1st Feb an...

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21 days after Pacemaker/Defibrillator inplant

Hi everyone. Its been 21 days since my pacemaker/defibrillator inplants. It was placed on December 8th. Im still dealing with soreness and tenderness on the area were the ICD is at. I noticed when im outside in the cold I feel a throbbing/achy pain. Is that normal? Is it because of the cold weather? I noticed my sleep patterns changed. I cant sleep. Im up till 4am-6am in the morning, when before I would be asleep by 11pm. Also , I find myself always thinking about the ICD shoking me. Is there a...

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Shower

Hi,

I'm a new member. The messages I read here are reassuring for a person like me who will be getting a defibrillator in January. Thanks!

I have two questions for you : I'm the 'shower type' and was wondering how long will I have to wait (after surgery) until being able to shower again. Also, I hate washing my hair in the sink (do it in the shower) so how long will I have to wait until being able to wash my hair all by myself in the shower?

Thanks for the answer...

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Pain/stinging sensation??

I'm just wondering if this is something I should worry about? I'm 26yrs old and had my pacemaker put in 19 days ago. Felt great after followed by a blackout and complications. I've been home now for about 11 days and have been very worn out. I have brady/tachy syndrome My cardiologist ran a strip on my new BFF and my heart rate was 185bmp at rest. At times I can feel it pacing and at other times my heart flutters and feels like its going to explode. She started me back on a beta blocker to brin...

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How long?

I may have to have my heart fully dependent on my pacemaker, is anyone else in that position, seems very scarey to me.

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thumping

I’m new in club. Got Bi/V ICD CD3235-40 implanted on 24th Oct, 2011 at Sunny Brook, Toronto. Right from the first night I felt thumping when I turned to right while lying and while bowing in sitting or standing positions. It became unbearable in one week. After one week contacted the hospital and they decreased power to LV. from 3.5 to 2.1. Next week I again went and it was further reduced to 1.5.

They told me that as your diaghram is quite close to LV it receives the j...

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friends! is surgery risky for us?

pacemaker implant in 07 ..and on 09 surgery of the ankle now when they did my surgery of the ankle i was not aware that they were going to put me complete to sleep! i felt awful when i woke up had a hard time staying awake i felt like the anesthesia was to much and my doctor was not ask before the surgey cause this was a workers comp case.. now i feel pain in my shoulder honestly i think i need surgery but am now afraid of the outcome! what should i do ..or am i just putting ideas in my head c...

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You know you're wired when...

You forecast electrical storms better than the weather network.

Member Quotes

Today I explained everything to my doctor, he set my lower rate back to 80 and I felt an immediate improvement.