Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Weird but brief complication of leg pain after PM procedure

This week is my 2-year anniversary of receiving a St. Jude PM, am finally taking the plunge and posting after 2 years of lurking.

The procedure went fine 2 years ago, no complications with anaestheia or anything.  I was sent home the next day, and felt OK the rest of that day.  The next day I could hardly walk.  I could sit down and get up out of a chair all right, but when I tried to take a step forward, had extreme pain at the very tops of my legs, like the muscles...

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Greetings - new to the 'club'....

I am actually just jumping around and reading different subjects and your input on things.  I am a newbie, just 5 days post op since my device was implanted for afib.   The more I learn the more I realize I don't know anything about this heart of mine.....

I am curious though, I read someone advise against wearing the sling longer than a couple days?   I was going to wear it to remind myself NOT to use the arm.   Oh I am most likely the middle...

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Pain during recovery

Hi everyone I'm new to the club, I had a Medtronic Azure pacemaker implanted in June 28 of this year.(4 wks ago )For the first week or two I felt great and energetic, but recently I've felt tired with a sharp pain near my  left armpit area.It last for a few seconds and some times ( specially at night time feels like throbbing pain) I was wondering if anyone has felt the same during  their recovery.

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Rejoining the club

When I had my transplant, my ICD was removed. Then recently I started to have fainting episodes so the transplant team organised a 48 hour monitor by post, which I duly wore and posted back on Monday. First thing today they rang to say we have a bed for you - please come in to have a pacemaker implanted. You have heart block. No details - waiting for the consultant  - 7but I'm all prepped and waiting for a slot in the lab. 

 

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Post-op discomfort

Hello group

I am eight days post op from receiving my pacemaker, and finding that I am having a lot of discomfort in my elbow on the operative side. It hurts to fully extend my arm (definitely not raising my arm over my head, and wondering if that is the cause). I have returned to work pretty quickly after surgery. I work as a surgical technologist. I am working within my restrictions and my doctor approved. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this arm pain after surgery? If...

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New to pacing and feeling lightheaded

Hi all,

I have had my new pacemaker for 8 days after my bradycardia got too bad. At 63, they found a 30 bpm at night at the hospital after being admitted through ER for  cardiac pauses of 3 to 5 seconds. Anyway, they diagnosed that as 2nd degree AV heart block and so I received an Assurity dual chamber pm2722. My heart other than the sinus node issues is very healthy. I am only taking Synthroid and Esomeprazole. No blood thinners needed either. I like lifting weights and cycling.&n...

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New pacemaker

New pacemaker four days ago with leads to upper and lower heart chambers. Purpose to stabilize slow pulse. Currently experiencing dull pain upper chest. Particularly when take deep breath. Speculate could be from upper lead but not sure. No reply from pacemaker clinic in Victoria BC so far. Anyone with similar experience?

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Post op wound care

Hello friends,
 

My recovery continues well, I've had fewer of those unusual feeling beats (PVCs?), my blood pressure is coming down (based on sensations, I'm travelling without a BP monitor), I feel it pacing less often (whether this is from the AV block getting back to my "normal" or simply being used to the sensation more). In short, while still very hyper aware of my body, I am recovering mentally and physically.

My biggest concern now is infection....

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Increase in heart weirdness just after first PM, is this common?

Hi again,
 

I've posted here a few times now, and first of all, thank you everyone for your replies. I didn't expect to be a member of this club quite so soon but it's been highly valuable getting a glimpse of other people's experience and perspective from relies and older posts.

As posted elsewhere I've had an AV block know since my early 20s, possibly something I've always had. It's not affected me much, no fainting, I've been able...

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Avoiding raising the arm and pulling out leads during sleep

Hello again,

PM newbie here, but third post. I really appreciate that this community exists!

I've seen the advise here against relying on a sling too much and staying mobile post op which makes sense. I'm curious though about how people sleep?

I'd usually lie on my side with the left arm straight up and under the pillow which isn't recommended at all. To make sure that I don't end up doing this in my sleep I've started sleeping with my left arm tied i...

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Sensation of leads inside of heart, is this even possible?

Hello everyone,

I've just joined this club (online and by having a pacemaker fitted for the first time yesterday). The recovery is going as expected, pain/pressure at the site of the pacemaker, and I'm super careful about not lifting my left arm etc.

A few times though I've had the sensation of a small twitch in the centre of my chest that is in line with my heart beat - either just a one off as I change position or sometimes a few times in a row with my beats. I'm...

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Pacemaker Surgery, Scars, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Hi all,

I'm two weeks post pacemaker implantation and generally healing up well. I'm curious if any of y'all have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and how you managed your scar post surgery. 

If anyone need a brief: EDS is a hereditary connective tissue disorder. Some symptoms are skin hyperextensibility and loose joints, as well as cardiac symptoms... I have had multiple surgeries and my scars have a tendency to spit stitches and form keloids (excess collagen fo...

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Wound healing & everything else!!

Hi all, 

I just recieved my PM last week. Total newbie here. My background that got me to this point.  Had my 3rd (and final) baby in Feb 2022. Maintained my superhigh BP that was discovered during pregnancy & im still on meds for. Very low heart rate & after a 5 day holter monitior in Jan 2023 findings suggested a pacemaker. Turned 40 in March & got my PM end of June. Rollercoster. 
anyways my question is that im a week post surgery. Everything heal...

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New to the Family!


Age: 75

Sex: Male

Hi All,

2 days ago I joined this family of amazing people that were given 2nd life due to Pacemaker. I am still coping with the reality but in hindsight, now I feel this was due more than ever.

While, I am recovering well, I have so many things to learn about this whole thing and this forum seems the best place to be.

I had a high degree AV block and was implanted with dual chamber Boston Scientific Accolade Pacemaker. I am told that it wa...

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Recovery and experience

Hi guys I just wanted to share Ammy experience and also ask for advice. 
 

I've just today got out of St Barts Hospital having a new pacemaker. 
im 50 and on my 4th pacemaker. 
 

when I went in it was supposed to be a routine box change but the couldn't find a decent pocket for it without moving it to a new location which I didn't want. So this time they have put it under the muscle on my chest which is ALLOT more painful than a...

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HCM alcohol septal ablation part 2

(Part 2) This nice lady is going to give you some drugs to help with any pain and to chill you out, if you've never had morphine feels a little weird to start with but don't panic it's fine,, anyway good thing about drugs is that I don't remember any pain or discomfort until they injected the alcohol, they did warn me in advance,, heads up my chest felt tight and yes It wasn't nice but the outcome could be worth the discomfort. Provided there's no problems (m...

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HCM alcohol septal ablation

Well an update for anyone interested in a alcohol septal ablation for HCM sufferers,, I've had it done and here to tell the story.... it all started yesterday at 11.30 in Southampton general hospital cad lab, all booked in then the formula one mode kicks in, height, weight, ECG change into the non CK paper pants and gown that's all done in 5 mins,, then be prepared to loose some short and curlies down there people just in case they decide to go in groin area. Right then it's...

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Site Sore

It's a couple days after two weeks, and I am still sore on the site of the incision, is this normal?  I started sleeping on the left side about a week ago, did I do that too early?   And is there a danger of infection because I did that?  Thank you. 

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Over 11 weeks since last surgery

Hello everyone-

i know I'm on here very irregularly, but I wanted to post my over 2 months update.

the good news- it appears that my blood pressure is way lower than before the implant. I was always over 140 over 100. I'm now around 120, sometimes 110 over 68. Heart rate is good, never below the set amount of 60.

Now saying this, I feel like doctor wise that I've been thrown in the deep end with no further advice. They say they watch my stats through the app, but...

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HCM alcohol septal ablation

Hey guys

I've got a dual unit and have had for about 5 years because of HCM now those lovely people in white coats have suggested a alcohol  septal ablation well booked next week,, pretty keen on it as I should alleviate a lot of my symptoms, so my question is has anyone here had one ???? 

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You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.