Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

I'm Officially a Pacer Chick

I finally got my PM Feb17th. I was in good spirits before the surgery, even asked if the Doctor could pull some strings and get me a Pink Sparkly PM. He was amused, however said no...what a bum! Surgery went well, although I was screaming bloody murder afterwards because of the pain and scared my surgeon quite a bit. Had some adverse effects from either the anesthesia or the pain meds they gave me after. Either way I spent most of the rest of the day vomiting. Everything is where it is sup...

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what to expect in healing

I had a pacemaker with 2 leads implanted Jan 29 - have had a few episodes of pretty emphatic irregular heartbeats - mostly at night when retire but one during day - also feel tired, kind of shakey, no energy & every now and then some chest pain short lived thank goodness - thought by now would be feeling great - is it too soon for that? They checked pm and said all working as should be and the memory printout showed Atrial Flutter so at least they caught that part, but thought it would have sto...

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It is coming....

I am scheduled for PM implant on March 11. Are there others out there with Malignant Vasovagal Syncope, Mixed Type? If so, how has the PM worked out for you? My other option is drugs as an intervention...what do folks think who have gotten the PM? I have had to have CPR in the past and so....still I'm in denial that this is absolutely necessary.

My asystole on tilt was over 30 seconds. Long, right? Even with the PM I will still need Midodrine. Is anyone else on this type plan?...

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New PM Patient

Hello All. I just had my PM implanted January 16th. Healing of the incision is almost complete...I only have 2 stitches that don't want to give it up. This morning I am going to our local hospital for an echo. Next Thursday is my follow up with my Cardiologist (to echo and surgery).

I still think the weirdest thing is saying "my cardiologist"!

This all came out of the blue for me. My last Dr. pooh-poohed my complaints of fainting and told me on my last visit to her...

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Random chest pains.

I am now 12 weeks past my pacemaker surgery. For the most part I feel pretty good; however I still get some randomly located, sharp pains in the left side and near the center of my chest. They come and go and are sometimes triggered by movement. Is this normal? Is the PM or the leads contributing to these pains?

TIA,
Steve

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Help...

I had my pacemaker rewire done Jan 29. My follow up is next week, however the clear film bandage and steri strips have come loose tonight. The incision looks good and healed. Should I try to tape it back down tonight somehow or is it ok to just remove it?

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12 days with a PM (diagnosed with Sycope)

I am learning to live with this object inside of me. I call it my back up generator. The first couple of days were hard. I feel very helpless my little boy (7 months old) just looks at me and cries to be held. Oh it just breaks my heart. I get down on the floor with him and play and I think it makes it a little better for him. My husband a god sent is very supportive. He is taking care of our baby and me. : ) I don't know what I would do with out the support of my husband.
I have noticed m...

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Still scared but feeling better

I want to thank you all for the wonderful comments. You are making my day go easier. I am so glad there is a place I can go to and talk to other people who can relate.

Here is a little back ground.
I was diagnosed with syncope last year. During my pregnancy I was fainting and they said it was the baby taking my sugar to eat more. Yeah that helped! Well the fainting spells didn't go away so I then went to a cardiologist. After a whole bunch of tests and nothing showed anything. I...

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Driving after a pm?

Another concerned question. I know I'll find out tomorrow after they put the pm in but kinda what to know what to expect now. If everything goes smoothy tomorrow when you thing I will be able to drive? When I had the loop recorded they stated 3 days. The anxiety is getting to me and lots of questions are going through my mind. Okay here is another one. Does anyone know what causes syncope? I am told my heart stops every so often for some seconds...what causes that....

Thanks again for...

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Scared and Nervouse for PM surgery

Hello I'm a newbie here and was so glad to find this website. I was just told this morning that I go Friday for a pm. I am very scared about the recovery and how long I'll be out of work. I have a 7 month old at home and not sure how I'll be able to bond with him if I can't pick him up.
What can I expect for recovery? I have read many posts and getting scared as I keep reading. Please help to calm me down.

Thanks,
Jamie

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Hurts to breath

I've had my pm for 10 days now. When I woke up from surgery, it hurt to breath and I'm feeling that again now. I'm going to take some pain pills, but I'm wondering if other people have experienced this as well.

Debbie

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Feeling Tired

Just had the implant three weeks ago for SSS ( only low heart rate). It is set at 50 BPM and only engages if my heart rate get to that point, Usually at night when I sleep. It was set at 60 but it was reset since it seemed to compete with my own heart beating. My question is should I still feel tired and a bit dizzy after this implant, even after three weeks.

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One week post-op and now a rash?

Hey everyone,

I've had my pacemaker a whole week now and just noticed I've got a rash all over my stomach. Seems odd so I called my doctor. Waiting for a call back from them.

I also found out why they had to postpone the ablation. it was because the left side of my heart was enlarged. What does that mean?

Has anyone else had a rash after surgery?

Thanks,

Debbie

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Catheter Ablation for PVC's

Hi Everyone,

After years of suffering from PVC's, I'm finally entertaining the idea of having a catheter ablation procedure done in hopes to eliminate my forever bothering PVC's.

Has anyone had this procedure done for PVC's?

Was it successful?

Did you suffer from any of the risks?

Thanks so much for your help!

Rachel

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Home from the hospital

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that I had my pm surgery on Friday and came home today. They implanted the pm but had to hold off on the AV node ablation. I'm having that done in a few weeks.

I had to stay in the hospital an extra day because my pulse is high (in the 110's) and my blood pressure is low.

That's it for now...I'm tired!!!

Take care,

Debbie

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Incision and creams

Hello All.... I had my pacemaker put in last Monday (Finally!). I had a post on here about local or general anistectics awhile ago with lots of responses and I decided to go local and was knocked out so good I don't remember a thing. It has only been 9 days since surgery and I am feeling great (VERY painful on day 3 - 5 though). I can't readily get ahold of my surgeon though and I just wanted to see what others were told about their incision care after surgery. I really want to start putting...

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Arm numbness ?

I have had my pacemaker now for 2 1/2 months. It is placed on the left side just below the clavicle bone. I have been expieriencing left arm and hand numbness. Does anyone else have this ? Or have a comment about it? I am wondering if I should be concerned? I had this pre-pacer but it was gone post-pacer until about 2 weeks ago when it returned.Do you think I should call the cardiologist? I recently stopped taking the Zocor because I had side effect of very severe leg and calf pain..I could barl...

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Getting dicouraged

As i posted on here before, I had an ablation on jan 5th. It was my third one. well last week the doctor wanted me to stop taking my medication but i was unable to. Im glad i didnt because my heartrate would probably be any more crazy then it is right now. I am starting to once again get depressed because i am so sick and tired of my heartrate. I still can not do anything, I have been in bed since 2 months before my ablation. My rate keeps going fast and then dropping to the 70's. it only last...

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Getting my pacemaker on 1/23/09

Hi All,

I am excited to stumble upon this website and wish you all well.

I've been dealing with Atrial Fibrillation for nearly four years. After 6 cardioversions and 2 catheter ablations, my doctor has decided that a pacemaker is the way to go. I'm both excited and nervous.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Dairyprincess

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Embarrassed to ask......

I got my 2nd PM this past Thursday. I have an appt this Thursday to remove staples. I have reread the hospital instructions for wound care, but it was left blank. I don't know if I am supposed to remove the dressing and change it myself daily or wait until the appointment? It seems like good hygiene would be to change it daily, but I also got the impression in my post sedated state that I leave it on - no bathing - until my appt?
Thanks for any info!

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