Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Recovery Times

I had a dual chamber Medtronic Pacemaker implanted on 7 October 2011.  Everything went real well and I did not have to take any pain meds after surgery.

I have had some soreness until last night and today; the area around the implant hurts more than at any other time.  I’m not sure if I slept on it the wrong way or what and at times it seems to skip. I hope I haven’t screwed something up.

That’s all I would need as I have a hip implant th...

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pacemaker

Hi all,
I have had a vasovegal response problem for probably over 12 years, but it only happens if I get sick to my stomach. Had a surgery done this past March and my stomach got upset and a vasovegal response happened and my heart stopped for 24 seconds and I was laying down at the time. They started to call a code blue, but I woke up. The doctor said I've set a new record for him. Earlier that morning it had only stopped for 4 or 5 seconds. I also have left bundlebranch blockages tha...

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Hello all

I had the defibrillator implanted on Thursday the 27th was suppose to come home on the 28th however I formed a hemotomia and had to return to the special procedures room where it was first done so the dr could take care of the hemotomia as a result I came home yesterday afternoon before the snow storm had to believe a snow storm in Oct. The Dr prescribed oxicodone so far haven't need to use them. I think I have the same fear as some of you have expressed just hoping the leads stay where they be...

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number of leads

I just had my third pacemaker after 16 yrs of the first two. When I was recovering from the surgery and still a little hazy, the surgeon casually mentioned to me that I now had only one lead instead of two. "You didn't need two", he said. This did not register until I returned home. Am I too concerned about this?
No explaining at all. My cardiologist was not even there. Only the surgeon and the factory rep. Isn't this unusual also? I am not seeing anyone for a week, so am wondering....

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New mom with new PM

hi everyone,
i finally went ahead and got my PM on 10/25. My cardiologist had been pushing for it but i resisted for a while-- since the pauses were mainly happening at night. I guess when he told me the pauses could become permanent i got on the PM bandwagon! Also, i have a lovely little 6 month old girl.

So far, so good with the recovery. I tried to go to work today and that was probably stupid. I turned around before I got to the subway. Too tired, don't feel like myself. It'...

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Afib and acupuncture

I've had more or less continous Afib since I got a pacemaker in December 2009. It was strenous the first 18 months, but from around March this year, when I started on CoQ10, it doesn't bother me much. I had to stop running though, and I use a sports watch to keep track of my pulse, when I work in the forest or in the garden, taking a break when my heartbeat reaches 140. Works OK.

All the same, I would like to get my normal heartbeat back, and I'm looking around to find a good acupunc...

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Thank you

I want to thank you for the fast response at least IO know I'm not alone in these feelings.

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Date drawing nearer

Well I posted a while back that the 27th is my date for the defibrillator implant.

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size and pain

Hi All
I am new to the group and the world of pacemakers. I thought I was going in the hospital to get my gallbladder out and ended up with a pacemaker. My pace maker is from St Jude Medical model 2210. I feel like it is huge. They said it would be the size of a silver dollar and it is so much bigger. I got it a month ago and it is still very uncomfortable. I feel like the cardiologist thinks I am a hypochondriac. How long should I expect this to hurt? My incision is really red and...

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When can I sleep on incision side?

Hi everyone! This is my very first post by the way. =) I received my St. Jude pacemaker this past Thursday, 10/20/11, due to sinus bradycardia. I am already feeling better! I have not felt the need to lay down and sleep all day like I used to. My question is about sleeping. I usually toss from side to side when I sleep and of course I have been avoiding sleeping on the side where my incision is. In my discharge instructions there is no info on this. When can I resume sleeping/lying on that side?...

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3 days later

I had the surgery 14th October 2011 and did not know what to expect. 3 days later and every day the pain is lessened, the wound looks less angry. My advice would be keep taking it easy don't strain your self. The yawning, sneezing and coughing still pulls. Don't get dressed if you don't have to and my doctor told me to tell my other half that I need a take away curry everynight followed by a relaxing masage!! hee hee.

No seriously, other advice would be look at your wound in hos...

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breathing trouble

Hi,
I am a 27 year old female who just had a pacemaker put in on October 7. Everything is healing really well and while I am not in pain, I am having some trouble taking deep breaths. It feels like someone has knocked my breath out of me. Has anyone else experienced this? I am still on some pain meds and it doesnt feel this way when I take those, but I obviously can't take those the rest of my life. I am little and didn't know if my body just has to get used to the pm being in my body. Any...

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New PM Recipiant

Hello everyone! I am a new pacemaker recipiant (as of Oct 3, 2011) and I am going back to work tomorrow. The incision has healed well and the swelling on the incision has gone down only now I have this lump that feels huge to me where the actual device rests. Is this normal? While a little tender it's not painful. Can the pacemaker move? It feels weird, and somewhat scary. Will this lump go down? Will I ever be able to wear vee necks tops again?

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Pain After Pacemaker

Hello. I am a 20 year old male who got a pacemaker four weeks ago. On August 12 I went to get my wisdom teeth out but when my oral surgeon gave me Versed and Fentanyl my heart rate dropped to 20 and my blood pressure shot up, I was rushed to the emergency room. I have had a headache ever since, maybe a little before. I found out that when I slept my heartrate would drop to the low 20's and my resting was in the low 40's. Now that I have a pacemaker I feel less tired. But my "heart area" still hu...

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I finally got a date

I finally got my tentative date of Oct 27 9 am. If all goes right I should go in the morning of the 27 th spend the night and return home the afternoon of the 28th.

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predefibulator

Hello everyone I have still not had the defibulator implant done. I'm thinking very possibly in November. I'm still dragging my feet just not sure what to expect. I have been told the defibulator has to be implanted on the left side although I have made it clear that I'm left handed. I guess I'm just a bit nervous.

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Recovery

I had a dual chamber PM put in 3 days ago, I had sick sinus syndrome and have had 2 ablations that didnt work. Am feeling better already but am concerned about how much movement is safe. Would it take quite a bit to dislodge a lead? is it normal to be a bit worried?

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What a breeze

I had a medtronics pace maker put in on Tuesday 10/4/2011.This was a event free and painless operation. I was awake and talking during the whole procedure.Afterwards only took 3 pain pills and feel like a new person Jerry

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10-3-2011 Surgery

I just had surgery a few days ago. I went into the ER 4 days prior to surgery w/ chest pains, dizziness, slurring my words, confusion, & headache. At the time I was leaning towards me having a stroke. All tests ruled that out (thankfully). I am 47 years old. There was a wonderful cardio doctor on call that night and almost right away he knew what I was going to need done. My heart rate was 38 and it didn’t go up much more than that. Even during the stress test the highest it reached wa...

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new placement?

Hi I am new to this website and forum. I had a pacemaker implanted in 2004 my freshman year of high school. I hated it then and I hate it now. I have my pacemaker implanted just under my skin in the I guess "normal" area. I was looking at other forums and what not and noticed some people having it under their chest muscle? Just looking for more info on recovery time, how more serious is the surgery and what not. I am 21 and have not let this pacemaker change my life what so ever. I still train b...

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I am very lucky to have my device.