Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Recent surgery

Hi guys,

A couple days ago, Tuesday, I had my pacemaker removed and had a pacemaker/defib put in. I came home yesterday, an overnight stay. Since I've had breathing problems when laying on my back, they shoved a tube down my throat to assist breathing during surgery. I also ache all over like I've exercised too much. My neck muscles are sore, my sides are sore, my legs ache. I was told before surgery that they would have to test the defib out by shocking me. I'm assuming that...

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Feel Great

Hi, It has been 6 weeks & i feel great.

Hang in there!!

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New Pacemaker Surgery Set

HelIo Everyone,
I finally got my replacement pacemaker surgery date for April 29. I asked for the same brand thats in me now Guidant. I am worried this time because I have more time to think. Please pray for me for an easy run !!! Thanks !

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getting used to this

I just got a pacemaker put in 3-7-11. I'm 58 and the doc said it was from a birth defect. I had been failing for about 3 yrs from the time I can remember first passing out. I told my family practice doc but they never figured it out. They said the passing out is called syncope. My heart rate was 31 when I went to the ER and about 20 when I got to surgery. My bff who was there said she saw the monitor go to 10. I don't know how I am even alive. It's uncomfortable, and still burns and itches, and...

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Concerns about surgery which my doctor is suggesti

I am 41 years old, I had my first pacemaker about 8 years ago, I have recently had my second pacemaker procedure. Since my second pacemaker I seem to have an extra bad heart rate. My doctor has me on Sigmaxin, Noten, Perindopril, Crestor, Cardiprin all of which I have one a day. My heart can race so much, apparently it is often up to 180 bpm...this is why I am these tablets to try to slow it down.

The tablets do not seem to be working so, he is suggesting that if all is not well when...

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Getting first pacer Tues morning...cost?

Hello...I have posted once before, back in January when I was diagnosed with complete congenital av block. I have done a LOT of research, poured through medical journals, and have decided, with the advice of my doctor of course, that this is the best route. I will get a dual lead PM Tuesday morning. I am quite anxious, but all your posts have encouraged me!

One thing I am curious about - how much approximately, with insurance, should the total amount be - and I am looking for th...

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how will i feel immediately in recovery?

Just wondering how I will feel immediately upon waking from twilight sedation of new pacer implant? Relief? Energy? Pain?

Will I need pain meds while in the hospital and then just ibuprofen and/or tylenol at home????

Surgery is Tuesday a.m. - did you all do anything to relax prior to? Shall I take a motrin pm the night before?

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Scared

I'm terrified of receiving my pacemaker next Thurs April 7. I'm a 35 year old father of two boys (10 and 7) and I don't know what to expect. Please tell me positive experiences. How you coped with recovery and I think I've entered into depression because all I can think of are things I WON'T be able to do....Thanks in advance for any advice...

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thanks for the great topics!

this site was a great find just before my implant surgery last week (thursday). i felt confident going into my surgery having read up on the different discussion threads. i'm 23 and don't know anyone personally with a pacemaker so i couldn't even ask anyone i knew any questions. but coming here i was able to get almost all my questions answered! and now i've got a great reference for the future too! =)

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strange dreams

I have had my 2 lead pacemaker for 3 weeks now and been having strange unpleasant dreams ever since, anyone else had this experience. I am not on any new medication, so it cant be that. With thanks for this club that I have just discovered.

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one of the club!

Hi all,

Just wanted to say thanks for all the good questions and informative answers on this forum. You really helped me mentally and physically prepare for yesterday's pacemaker implant. Thanks!!!!!

And, yes, it all went well. The doc was pleasantly surprised by all my (good) questions which he spend 40 minutes answering a week ago -- he said most of his patients, typically older (I'm 33), dont ask any questions! I am also an unusual case for having only a single-lead atri...

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Incision Itches

Pacemaker installed December 8, 2010. Healing was quick. Three months later the incision is itching quite a bit, something I might have expected earlier. I mentioned it to my cardiologist a week ago while in for adjusting the pacemaker; he's not concerned and doesn't really express interest. I use handcream to cut the itching. Does anyone have ideas for something else to use to reduce itching? Anyone else had the experience?

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New Pacemaker

Hi All - Just had my pacemaker "installed" (sounds like a new muffler!!!!! :-) on March 17, after some funky stuff. Was on a cruise in January; my heart went all funky - I passed out twice - I was put off the ship in St. Lucia, along with my partner, and left there.......always buy travel insurance!
Had an ablation in February; then, my heart rate went into the 40's; 30's at night, and I passed out again, this time putting my head through the drywall in the bathroom - hurt my pride - and,...

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how long off work?

I had my PM fitted yesterday. I'd suffered syncopy (wrecked my car), but not knowing the cause my doctor installed a monitor in my chest. Just over 6 months later it happened again, and it was clear my heart was stopping (for 13 seconds!). Now I've got a resolution and a PM. How long should I expect my doctor to sign me off work? He has me wearing a strap to hold me left arm against my body, and I'm to wear it for 2 weeks. Obviously I'm reliant on pain meds today, but what should I expect? I w...

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3 months and incision pain?

Had medtronic put in 12/17/10 and now my incision pain seems as bad (maybe worse). No oozing, etc. Just wondering if the pain (which is annoying rather than alarming) will subside? Thanks so much--you all are wonderful!

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Am I a wimp?

I had my ICD implanted Jan 5th, it took 8 weeks to feel anywhere near ready to return to work. However, I had a setback. One of my leads needed replacing and at the same time my device needed moving, it was too far under my arm, and was causing problems. This was done on March 8th and 2 weeks later I am still in pain. I thought it would be easy this time, but no, I don’t know if it’s because it’s so soon after the first surgery, or because it’s under breast tissue...

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chest pain after surgery

Hi
I am 57 yrs old and had my pacemaker put in this past Wednesday, March 14,2011. I was sore on my left side that night and all day Thursday,. I woke up Friday morning @ 430 am with severe chest pains. They were not the same chest pains when I had been admitted. It was every time I would take a deep breath, but they were consistent and going up from my chest to my throat.. I went back to the hospital ER and they did all kinds of tests, EKG, CT on my lungs, .. They gave me 2 shots of morph...

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New PM

Hi everybody!,
I had my 1st PM implanted March 9,2011...A little less than a week ago. I had my surgery in the am, and later in the night, I started having chest pains, and noticed it hurt to take a deep breath. The only way I could get any comfort was to sit up, as it was worse if I was laying on my back. They did several tests to rule out perforations, of the lung, heart, or heart attack, and kept me in for an extra day. The Dr. came in the next day, and said I may need to have my leads r...

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recovery time

Hi all! I just had my second pacer put in and also a lead removed and replaced. Haven't seen the dr again. I see him on monday.When I received my first pacer I was told to be off for 6 weeks. I think that was mostly because of the leads.
I'm wondering if I will have to be off that long. I do hair so I use my arms a lot! I'm not in a lot of pain anymore just discomfort. If u could tell me from ur experience how long u were off work I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Joy

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home

Just got home from having my bettery replaced! I now have a Boston Scientific( formally Guidant) dual chamber pacemaker. I did need general anesthesia so stayed overnight. I am happy to be home.I do feel like a truck drove over my chest. My head is absolutely pounding. All I can hear is my new rate ....UGH.
I am hoping that in the next few days I start feeling better.
I don't think it was as bad as the original placement however it is not a little procedure and I can barely move today....

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