Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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What to expect after pacemaker surgery

I am having a pacemaker put in Tuesday May 22, 2007. In the past I had two ablations and one epicardial ablation, the totally ablated my SA node. I do not have a SA node that works. I have no sinus rhythm. My AV node is trying to control my heart. Because I am in juctional rhythm my heart rate ranges between 40-60. This is the reason I need the pacer. I would like to know what to expect when I wake up from surery pain wise. Does it hurt a lot? How long is it sore for? What helps to reduce the pa...

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chest and throat pain

i got my pacemaker about 3 weeks ago and soon after the surgery i started getting pain in my chest and my throat when i would breathe in. it went away, but it has started again, mainly when i go from a sitting to laying position or laying to sitting. last night i ran up the stairs in my house to answer the phone and when i got to the top of the stairs my throat was hurting really bad for about a minute when i would breathe in. i went to the dr. about it about a week after i had my PM put in and...

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Worried Newbie

Hi All,

I am from Scotland, how are you all?

I have found out that I am getting a pacemaker, I dont have a date as yet, but it will be soon. I have heart block, side affects are dizziness, fainting and irregular heartbeat. I also have very low blood pressure.

I am 37 and really feeling as though I am entering something that I dont have any control over. I found this site last week and it is amazing, it is answering so many of my questions. I think I will take g...

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2nd surgery recovery

Last Oct I had a St Jude PM implanted. Last month the tech found both leads were going into my lower heart. I went back in three weeks ago to have the lead fixed. The Dr had to remove the old lead and put a new one in. He went in thru the same incision. Now the cut won't heal well and the Dr told me today it looks infected. I am now on meds to cure the infection. has anyone had a similar problem. Can "water" collect in the wound?

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2nd pm in a couple of weeks

It has taken me to long to find this site. My first pm was implanted 8 years ago when I was 29 just 8 months after my son was born. I'm 100% paced and I am challenging case so the team of doctors tell me. The first 6.5 years of with my pm were great - I was able to do all my normal activities plus exercise. About year and half ago I started having extreme fatigue, light headed, daily activities can be challenging and shortness of breath. We have done every test on my heart and we decided C...

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2nd PM installed today

I had my 2nd PM installed today (medtronics adapta addr01) it replaced my first PM which was 8 years old. My question is I have a great deal of swelling around the incision (same opening as original). I know there seemed to be a great deal of pulling and pushing to get the old one out. Is this normal and to be expected? It sounded so simple, small incision, take the old one out, place the new one in, a few stiches - no big deal or so everyone said. Thanks for any input.

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I'm home!!

I so have this guys... I'm home from surgery. Got my PM put in yesterday. I was in and out of surgery and recovery to my room. I had some pain in the back of my shoulder...and a little low blood pressure scare around 5am...but all is well and I got sent home. Not raising my arm stinks...Pony tails are a pain! lol. seriously though...it was easy for me. I only hope that my recovery continues to be as smooth. Thanks for all of your answers to my questions... And even though my fiance will never re...

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PM Location

I'm getting my PM replaced, its epicardial, my question is though, will the location of the PM be changed(right now mine is in the abdomen)?

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thanks

Just want to thank all you great people for replying to my posting. It sure means a lot to know that you are not the only person with a PM or ICD. I hope I can help others in the way you have all helped me.
Sincerely,
Gary

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Sleep sweet Sleep..

Okay..I'm confused about the whole not sleeping thing. I mean I understand that I'm not sleeping...and kindof why, because my heart rate drops so low...and we figure I'll be paced almost 100% of the time...my question is...will I get a night where I dont wake up and I sleep all the way through? I swear I'm about to go crazy. I'm going in on the 9th for my operation (yeah!!!) so afterwards, I'll sleep better right? Gosh I hope so...Found out I am getting a Victory St.Jude Pacer...is that a good o...

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New PM

Hi
I had my Pm inserted last wednesday.A medtronic duel lead. the operation went well and healing has been relitively pain free.I still don't feel like I have my energy back yet hope that will come but the dizzy and light headedness seems to have gone for this I am oh so grateful. This is not a complaint but I would like to hear from other PM people does the strange awareness of the bump at the collar bone go away and do you get used to it being there.
Thanks to all , this is one gre...

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Recovering

I am scheduled to have a generator (pacemaker) changed on next Thursday I had my last pacemaker changed when I was 19... they at that time moved the pacer to my right shoulder side what have you. Anyway I know that it hurt like heck for the first couple years and I was just wondering if it is going to hurt again for the same amount of time I am aware that I will not be able to golf and lift for a month or so but I was wondering if it is going to hurt as much as last time....
K Daniels

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ICD implant under the muscle

Hi,
I'm new here and just wondered if anyone has had their defibrillator implanted under the muscle? I just had one put in on the 13th of April and was told by my Dr. he had to go over 1"+ under the muscle to put mine in. The thing that is upsetting me now is that I can see the lump still. I would think being that far under the muscle it wouldn't show. I can also feel the hard box when I barely press on the area (I can even feel the edges of it). Is it possible he put it over the muscle and...

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Recovery info needed for new PM recipient

Hi. I'm new to a PM, it was fitted 5 days ago after having complete heart block while out walking. Don't remember anything till waking up in Cardiac Care Unit.Came home day after the PM was fitted. How long do the surface wounds take to heal and when will my shoulder, elbow and hand stop aching. Otherwise I feel great. I'm a 58 yr old female

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Looking for others with same experience

Hello! I am a 39 year old woman who just got a pacemaker
on Tuesday. The whole thing is just crazy how it happened and it is a long story. My question is............is it normal the first couple of days to feel irrigularities in my heartbeat when lying down? My pm does not kick in till 110 because it is being used to prevent a block that is rate related.....usually exercise brings it on. Kind of a problem since I am a p.e. teacher. Anyway, I am pretty sore but that seems to be lessoni...

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new to the club

Hi everyone,
I do not have a pacemaker yet, I am schedualed for the implant in 10 days and feeling a litttle anxious.Can anyone give me their imput
Thanks

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transseptal ablation??

does anyone have any experience with this procedure?? i have been through alot, but i am jumpy about this one...thanks,mom123

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new to the club

thanks everyone,
your comments made me feel normal...I guess a little worried goes with the territory. Hoping this procedure helps..fainting is not a lot of fun as some of you know and maybe this pm will give me my life back. Once again you are terrific to share your experiences.

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condition

thurs havingm y operation any pain involved. should i stay in hospital overnight. when do they check out pm after implant. when a pulse is sent from pm to heart how strong isice it. if a person has a regular heart attack who has a pm and hs heart stops, will this device get it going again.

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What Qualifies for Surgery Rescheduling?

Hi,

I am scheduled for a first-time pacemaker implant this Thursday (dual-chamber, rate response Medtronic). I am desperate to get this procedure done as I have been unable to function normally for about a year now (I'm 34 years old male, married with an 8 year old son). My current desperation stems from the fact that a week ago I caught some kind of respiratory virus. I saw my GP last Thursday & she said my lungs sounded clear (at the time) but still put me on some meds which I ha...

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You can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.

Member Quotes

Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.