Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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A few questions

Hi all and Happy New Year to everyone. Since finding and joining this site a few months back i have found it to be very informative even if i didnt post a question i usually find out info i was lookin for by reading other post and comments. I have also found it to be quite uplifting that theres alot of nice positive people with great additudes on life like myself and thats always nice to see especially with all the negativity in the world today.
Anyway im posting on here to ask a coupl...

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Night Time Sling Etc.

Hi Folks, I received a sling to put on at bedtime after my surgery after receiving a PM on December 28th. I, however, neglected to ask how long I should wear it. I am still using it and it does (most of the time) keep my arm from going where it is not supposed to be. Should I keep using it until a month passes? It has been a little over two weeks now and I still have some discomfort which has not decreased for a few days. I know it takes time but some days I just do not have any energy or...

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Ablation success?

It may be a bit premature, but I think it actually worked this time!
I had it at a different hospital but with the same Dr. I was prepped and they started at 7:45...and pulled the sheaths out at 4:30...OMG it was a LONG day. The EP basically did everything himself, which was strangely comforting and was very agressive in making sure that the major areas were taken care of. I must say, however, that the lydocaine wears off after 3 hours or so (ouch) and the burning hurts like hell. I total...

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post surgery pain - when does it get better?

I had my bivent. PM implanted Monday. The first day was not much of a problem, but since then, I have had quite a bit of pain. I have incisions on both sides, due to failure to thread the leads from the left side. Both sides are painful, but the side with the PM is the most painful, of course, especially in the morning. There is not much swelling, no drainage or redness, just the pain and stiffness. Yesterday I thought there was some improvement, but today I have a feeling it's back to the same...

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Need some help

I hope you all dont mind but this is not a pacer question.

On December 17th I got real sick went to ER and they put me in the hospital, the next day they discovered a large stone in my common bile duct that was blocking the liver and pancreases they did surgery the next day and was able to remove it.

I got out of thehospital on the 23rd and thats when the trouble started. I cant stop crying, I am so depressed and dont know why. I am the bread winner of my family as hubby is...

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Everything went well, except a side switch...

Compared to my OHS six months ago, this was indeed a piece of cake, as a fellow patient over on valvereplacement.com put it. The only complication was that my cardio/EP was not able to thread any wires from the left side. He said it could be yet another radiation complication.

However, from the right side, all leads were placed with great results, even the notoriously difficult LV lead. I am right handed, so we shall see if this causes any additional inconveniences. I asked how frequ...

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pvcs and pacs after pacer placement

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to have pacs and pvcs after you have a pacer placed? I work night shifts and when I come home in the am I am exhausted. I do not sleep well during the day so for days I am a zombie.. I feel like my heart is pounding when I am trying to sleep and when I wake up I have "skipped beats" or palpitations and I though that when I got the pacer this would all quit?? I am only 2 weeks post op

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Ablation time

Well, I have had an eventful last two weeks. I have been to the ER twice due to passing out at work for a-fib and passed out again two days after last ER visit. Saw my doctor yesterday, and he has scheduled me for my first ablation procedure on the 18th. I am a bit nervous due to the fact that my heart didn't react normally during the EP study, but I am a little hopeful. God knows something needs to change, I can't keep living like this passing out multiple times a week.

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Pre-op fun...

I had a pre-op appointment with my EP today...and had the following conversation:
EP: "So, how is your exercise program going?"
Me (more than mildly exasperated): "Um, well, since the last time I was here you said that I was banned from the gym and from exercising at any level of intensity..."
EP: "Just checking...and you're still banned."

And then there's my favorite nurse who always checks my height. Seriously, I'm 30, I'm pretty sure that I'm not getting any taller.....

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Having a pacemaker / living with one

I have had a pacemaker most of life (39 years), if you have thoughts, feelings, or strange things happen to you that you would like to discuss then just email them to me. repwork@gmail.com

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Blood Clots???

Good Afternoon,

Has anyone experienced blood clots after their surgery???

Today is my one month anniversary since my CRT-D implant and those 30 days have been relatively challenging, including a severe flare up of Gout that's slowing abating.

Now I noticed a lump in my left arm...my PCP says it's a blood clot...probably related to the surgery. He seems to think it is in a so called superficial "cephalic"l vein and should resolve itself without further complica...

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CRT-D

Hello,

I'm approaching 4wks since my CRT-D implant and still notice some soreness and stiffness in the area...I'm assuming that is normal. However, since the swelling has gone down, I'm definitely more aware that the top of the device is NOT flush with my chest...protruding a bit. When the area was swollen I couldn't tell.

Are your devices flush and smooth with the chest or do they "stick" out a bit???

I see my doc on Thursday...assuming he'll probably say it's...

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how soon driving and back to work?

I am having a bivent PM implanted in a couple of weeks. Since it will most likely be an outpatient procedure, going home the same day, I didn't think to ask the basic questions how long it will take before I can drive myself and return to work (computer desk work). I will of course learn this in due time, but I was curious what others have experienced in this respect?

(I know it will be 6 weeks before I can lift my arm above shoulder level, and start strenuous exercise activities agai...

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ablation

i just had my ablation,on the 19,of dec.they did 12 leegins,have to go back for another one in 3 months to finis them,doc was on me about 5 hrs,just wondering how long recovery is ,just got back o being normal,thanksfor input

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New Year's Resolution

Hi everyone,
I want to begin by saying THANK YOU to all of you who have taken the time to read my posts and respond with such thoughtful answers.

I am in the middle of my 4th "good day." Panic attack free! It's mostly due to the constant Xanax running through my veins LOL, but with that said, it's given me the time to calm down and let my hyperactive nervous system relax too.

My resolution this year is to "get well." I have a much needed appointment on Thursday with a...

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Happy New Year 2010

Wishing everyone strength...

Thanks for all your help.

Ron

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Conscious Sedation

Question for those of you who had conscious sedation during your implant... Was anyone given additional medications that would knock you out like benadryl, adavan, xanax, etc.? We're you actually awake during your procedure? Just curious

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Scar

Its been 5 weeks since my pm implant op. At first, my scar semed to be healing well (tidy, straight, thin scar). however the last couple of weeks the scar tissue has somewhat widend (about 3 times wider in size) and has become raised. I visited my cardiologist on 24th December and he is happy with my general recovery (still a bit sore, but assured this is normal?). He wants to refer me to a dermatologist to look at scar as he is not happy with it???

I have checked out a few images in...

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Relaxation Short Lived

I ended up in the ER this afternoon. My left arm was tingling and I got concerned so I drove over. By the time I got there I was in a full blown panic attack and hyperventalating.

A mess...just a mess. Just can't seem to get a handle on this whole thing. I did realize a lot of anxiety/panic comes with the PAC's. They are hard and un-nerving. They scare me.

I just keep praying I can overcome this.

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The need for info from the pacemaker

I installed a Medtronic dual chamber rate responsive pacemaker on Monday 15th December just after lunch, and attended a board meeting the next day, exactly 24 hours after I was streched out on the operation table.

The first week was really bad. I had more fibrillation than before the operation, and my pulse jumped to 160 at the slightest movement. But I have been working for a few hours each day after the operation, taking it a bit easy. I removed the bandage today, and I'm getting b...

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You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

Member Quotes

It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.