Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

Back to Work?

My last replacement surgery, did not require my leads to be changed, just pulled a bit to give me more slack and I was told not to lift anything for 6 weeks. Now 10 years later, they're telling me I will only be out of work for 1 week. My job requires lifting up to 50 lbs., some overhead lifting. Is this reasonable? Not that I'm trying to milk this and get 6 weeks off again, but remembering previous recoveries, I'd atleast suspect 2-4 weeks. Surgery is Monday. Comments?

Read More...

Upcoming Surgery

I am a 44 year old male who is fairly active. I play softball two days a week and golf twice a week.
My doctor recommends a pacemaker to help with my cardiogentic syncope.
What is the average recovery time. How long before I can play golf and/or softball.

Read More...

Post Op Question

I had a Medtronic defib - pacemaker - CRT device implated 2 days ago. My question is when I lye on my left side I feel a twitch - kinda like a hiccup - not sure if I would call it a shock. It doesn't hurt but its just odd that it happens on my left side only....as soon as I turn to my back or right side it goes away...

Any advice?

Read More...

Having my first pacemaker implant on thursday

Hi, I'm having my first pacemaker implant on Thursday June3rd and of course's a bit nervous. I'm having it done at Loyola in Maywood, IL. Any one have one there? Concerned of course about recovery and having 3 kids to take care of yet..Been reading lots about the surgery, some super scary some no big deals. LOL concerned about bras but have read several posts already and may be heading to the bra specialty shop soon. thinkI will rely on my tummy hiding tanks for a while :o)
just looking fo...

Read More...

St. Judes 5826 implanted on 5/5

Haven't had mine in for quite a month yet. Had it prescribed after years of afib-tachycardia. Suddenly had complete heart block and this seemed like the best response. Still taking sectrol and flecanaide for the tachycardia.
Healing nicely but sometimes I feel more tired than usual and my heartbeat doesn't seem quite right. No pain, nothing that seems serious but just feels a little odd sometimes.
Any thoughts?
Thank you,
jack

Read More...

Post insertion recovery

Hello to all
I was released from the Montreal Heart Institute yesterday, 24-hours after having received my first pacemaker. I think someone forgot to give me a full release package, because I realize that I've got many unanswered questions. I intend to call the hospital tomorrow, but in case I have trouble in getting answers, I'd like to get your opinion on things.
1) I suspect that I shouldn't drive for a few days. Am I correct? 2) If so, what would be the normal period?
3) My...

Read More...

Two Weeks Post PM Surgery

Hi all - just wanted to thank everyone for all the great advise on this site. I am two weeks post surgery today. I am feeling like a million bucks - well maybe a hundred thousand for sure. I took my PM out for a test drive yesterday. Walked up a hill at a nice pace and I was able to do it. I did notice lots of sharp pains in my chest and thought the PM must be working. I am still having pain in the incision site and shoulder area. Wearing a sports bra but the girls are still bouncing when...

Read More...

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Hi everybody. I'm a neophyte at this pacemaker thing, but 11 months ago I was a nightly visitor on a similar site for knee replacements. I'm allergic to pretty much all pain meds, and nights are long without them.
So, here I am at 3-something in the AM only 3 days into my electronically adjusted life, and I'm trying to figure out if what I am experiencing is normal.
It's been a strange saga from my sudden April 16 takotsubo heart attack (during a poetry workshop where I pass...

Read More...

Surgery in 4 day...help

Hi everyone, I just joined the pacemaker club a couple of days ago. I have been reading a lot of evey one's comments but have not found what I am lookig for. In four days I am going for surgery AVN Ablation with pacemaker. If anyone has had this particular surgery done, do you know if you still feel the epsiodes i.e. the fluttering of the chest? Is this a reasonably safe surgery? Are there any known side affects? What is the longevity of the pacemaker? Any information is greatly appreciated be...

Read More...

Bras

Had surgery in November 09 and still find it extremely uncomfortable to wear a bra - the straps really push on the pacemaker. Does anyone know a brand that sits far enough away on the chest with straps that are very wide and not elastic that won't push on the pacemaker. It's coming into the summer season and going bra less really looks tacky - can't find anything comfortable. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Read More...

Looking for a friend

I am getting ready to have an AV node ablation with a pacemaker. I was born with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and recently have been having A Fib issues. I don't have many options my doctors say. I am 27 and looking for someone who has similar issues as me so I can get some answers to my questions. I would feel better hearing from others who understand want I go through. Thanks for listening and looking forward to hear from anyone!

Read More...

Swelling

I got my Pm replacement on 13/5/2010 i wanted to know how long will it take for me to get back to normal i feel ok no pain but i feel a little tight where the pm is and tender and hard to sleep with it just now. just wanted to know how long does swelling usually take to go down?

Read More...

Muscle spasms after implant

Hi, I had a pacemaker inplanted at the end of January 2010 and was put on Xanax for anxiety. I am finally getting off the Xanax and now I am having some pretty strong muscle spasms around the area of the pacemaker. My doc doesn't seem too worried, says it takes about 6 months. I am 5'11" and weigh around 155 lbs. so I don't have a lot of flesh around the pacemaker. My wife thinks it just muscle spasms that may be worse since I am so thin. Does anyone else have this kind of problem or have h...

Read More...

Post Surgery Issues

I had my pacemaker surgery 5/13, Thursday. The doctor told me I should go back to work on Monday (today). I did not go. I am still having a lot of pain in my left arm, shoulder and on the incision. The biggest problem is that I can't put on a bra. The strap goes right over the incision. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you do? I can't go back to work until I can comfortably wear a bra. I feel better but I am still very tired.
Maybe I am tired from the night I spe...

Read More...

4th day after implant

Where is all this new found energy I should have.Went to work the day before implant and felt good. Now I am on day 4 since implant and a lot of fatigue. My glands in my throat are swollen and have a heavyness in the center of my chest. Either I picked something up in the hosspital or I am having a reaction to something they gave me. Have not been back to the doctor yet for post -op check up. Hope it just all goes away.

Read More...

New PM

Hi I have just had a PM implanted on the 12th May 2010 because my heart kept stopping & I kept feeling faint or passing out completely. This is all very new to me because I am very slim they punctured my lung partially during the op. Whilst on the operating table my heart stopped which gave the consultant a chance to see the problems I had been experiencing as I had found it hard to get people to listen until a couple of episodes were recorded on a monitor. I have not had a drain put in as they...

Read More...

Just had pacemaker replacement

Hi there Just got my new pacemaker on Thursday there now back home feeling a lil sore how long will i feel sore a few days ?

Read More...

Horseride

Hi, my name is Denise and I am wondering if anyone in the club had the same situation as myself.

I was diagnosed with 3rd degree heart block at the age of seven - (I am now 55-years old) and have been avoiding having a pacemaker all my life. I had no adverse affects from my heart block - no fainting, no blackouts, no shortness of breath etc. However, as I got older, my heart rate became slower and I became quite tired in the mornings on rising......but thats all!

Followin...

Read More...

now what

had my pacemaker implanted this monday 5/10/10 and am wondering now what. i m 50 years old a registered nurse on med/surg unit for last two years. very unexpectably i lost conciosness sunday night and reciecved my pacer monday. they r talking about 6 to 8 weeks off work due to a 5 pound weight limit. is this a left sided weight limit? do i really hv to be off that long. what should i be expecting over the next few weeks? i actually feel better than i hv in a while.
thanks for ur help and in...

Read More...

how long

i am wondering how long i have to stay in the hosptial after they relpace my pacemaker

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Titanium is your favorite metal.

Member Quotes

I still feel great today and can’t stop feeling excited at my "new" life. Modern day miracles through medicine and electronic devices are amazing!