Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

undecided

Hi! I'm new to the site. I'm 87 and trying to decide whether or not to get a pacemaker. My heart rate is usually in the 50's and I'm tired a lot - doing less and less. I rarely sleep through the night. I have high blood pressure and know that some of my medications may also cause me to feel tired and sometimes dizzy and faint. I'm worried about complications and how it feels to live with a pacemaker. It would be a blessing if some of the pacemakers could help me with your experience - especiall...

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SVT Ablation

Hi Everyone,

I am new here. I had SVT for the past 11 years. I finally was approved for an ablation procedure which I was told would cure my rapid heartbeat. During the ablation the EP said he got too close to a nerve and I ended up with 3rd degree heartblock and had to get a pacemaker. I got the pacemaker in 2/09, and am still feeling noticeably out of breath. I am 46 years old and could do much more before the pacemaker. The docs keep saying the PM is fine, but I don't feel fi...

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diaphragm nerve damage

Has anyone had any nerve damage due to an ablation or other surgery? My nerve was damaged in a sinus node modification and only one side of my diaphragm is working now. The doctor said it could take a while to heal. I can not lay flat because I get so short of breath. I just got a pacemaker last week and still trying to get used to that. This just makes matters worse. Anyone know how long this will be like this?

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JUst got a pacemaker Fridayand I am new to this forum

I have so many questions and really felt like when I left the hospital they were not all answered. I am 36 and had a sinus node modification for SSS two weeks ago. My sinus node did not recover at all and I was beating from my AV node about 80% of the time. I felt awful these last two weeks! Since I got the pacemaker I have felt better except for a few times when it still feels like my AV node is taking over. When that happens though my heart is beating around 80-90 beats a minute. Will that pac...

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How long does this take?

Hi! My name's Meg and I'm new to the forum and really new to this heart thing... I'm 24 and found out in March I have junctional heart beats pretty regularly and they put a pacemaker in. My doctor told me it would take about a month to feel "normal" again, but it's been almost 2 months and I still don't feel the same. I get tired easily, have pain at the incision area and can still regularly feel the pacemaker when it jumpstarts my heart. How long should I expect this for? I appreciate any answe...

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surgery for inappropriate sinus tachycardia

I was wondering if any of you has had surgery to treat IST. I've already had 3 ablations for accessory pathways and 2 sinus node modifications. Last time my rate dropped to the 60s but then the tachycardias came back. On March 17 I had a pacemaker implanted in anticipation of total sinus node ablation, but the doctors say that doing it through the traditional way will not work because of the proximity of the phrenic nerve. My EP suggested combining endocardial ablation with surgery and referred...

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implant

I am having a pacemaker this thursday - Is there anything that I need to know that is just routine info?? thanks, Di

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Pacer replacement

Am approaching the time to replace my pacemaker for the first time. Need some honest answers about recovery. How long does it take before you feel ok? How long before you can drive? Any other restrictions? I'm trying to figure out when would be a good time to get it done but have two kids with multiple activities so have to weigh all options.
Thanks,
Lori

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what causes slow recovery?

Hi,
I had a pacemaker implanted on February 26th. On January 30th prior to the pacemaker I had a non invasive back surgery called a percutaneous disk decompression resulting from disk injury following a car accident.
At any rate my recovery from the back surgery was pretty slow, but the recovery from the pacemaker even slower. It was 6 weeks this past Thursday and I am now no way ready to return to work.( I am a teacher) I still can't breathe when I walk very far and certainly not ups...

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Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is the big day. With the kind words you all have said I'm not as nervous. I'm just annoyed that they bumped it up to tomorrow and not Thursday!!! But when I'm able to logg on I will let you guys know how it went. I'm just glad they are putting me all the way asleep!

Thanks again,

Nikki

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Newbie

Just wanted to say hi to everyone, and I'm getting my pacemaker on 4-23-09 and I'm really nervous any tips?

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Odd feelings...

Hey, everybody...I commented on another thread regarding fluttering feelings, but I am not only having fluttering, but twinging feelings. The concern I have is that they happened quite a bit last night after 11pm when I was laying in bed, and I was told that my PM was in sleep mode from 11pm - 6am based on my sleeping schedule. I have the Medtronic Adapta - does anyone know if it will come out of sleep mode if my heart rate drops really low? I have my check up on Monday to get my staples out...

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Pacemaker

I have just had a pacemaker fitted 6 days ago and am experiencing discomfort in the collar bone and neck region. I expected this as I had to have the pacemaker re-fitted almost straight away because it wasn't working properly.I just wondered on average how long it might be before this discomfort and pain became much less or disappeared.

Damian

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Ironman Triathlon

Hi All
Was looking for any on info on sport, in particular if anyone had ever completed the Ironman with a pacemaker. I am sure numerous people have and just wanted some advice when I found this site, which I think is a great idea.
In Short I have completed 2 Ironman triathlons before the dual lead medtronic was installed in Nov 08, and am dead keen to do one again. The cardioligist says I should, so I am looking for advice on doing it and also training with a heartrate monitor.

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Received my pacemaker 4/9

I am new to this board. I received a PM 4/9 last Thursday after experiencing a fainting spell at the casino. I thought maybe I was dehydrated and not well from having cocktails and not eating. When they keep me and ran tests because my heart rae was in the 30's I started to worry. The Dr suggested a PM I asked for some time on a monitor at home to make sure it wasnt a fluke thing or cause by diet pills. When I finally attached the monitor they were alerting me the next after noon to get to th...

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New pacemaker just put in on 4-6-09

Thank you for being there today as I have just begun my newlife with a pacemaker and have many questions that you all have been able to answer in a way that no one else can and also understand in that same way. I go back to see the doc. on monday and have already gone back to work. I have Sick Sinus Syndrom and they found that my sinoatrial node was weak . this is good news, because they found my heart to be strong. I have know about the slow pace of my heart for about 6 yrs. The doc said so...

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Officially a Pacer Chick 4/9/09

Hello friends,
I am 2 days post op and doing fine. My implant is a CRTD,
Medtronic Attain Starfix.

The surgery was scheduled for 1:30pm but they were running behind so by the time they took me back, got me prepped and the doctor came in, it was 4:30.

They told my family that I was hard to knock out :-) I definitely remember asking them questions to what they were talking about. I also felt the shock. Next thing I knew I was back in recovery.

I...

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12 hours til I'm wired :-)

I can't sleep tonight. I haven't slept well all week. In 12 hours, I will be getting my CRTD or ICD......not sure which is right. It will be a bi ven pacemaker with defib.

I appreciate all of the support from you all. I'm sure to have questions when I get back home. I'll post an update when I can.

Ciao for now,

Brendakt54

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Almost 100%

Hello, fellow partial-bionics!

my roommate loves to joke around that every time i go in for another surgery, the EP and the cardiac surgeon stand around and say things like 'we have the technology.' 'we can rebuild her!' and '...i'm giving her everything she's got, cap'n!' wait, that last one might be out of context...

ANYway. i just had to thank you so much for the good thoughts! i am 7 days since my pocket revision, and things are good. i'm almost back to 100% -- still no...

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No overnight stay after PM implant?

Hi, I'm new here. I've been reading a lot. I am having a PM implant Thursday, 4/9. The doctor said I would be monitored about 4 hours and then go home. I have read where most people stay at least one night. I am nervous about this and would prefer to have a nurse close by at least for one night. Insurance won't pay for it though.
Just wondering how long everyone else stayed.

Thanks,
Brendakt54

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You know you're wired when...

Titanium is your favorite metal.

Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.