Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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New Pacemaker on 9th day

Question...today I am feeling a little light headed (when I got up) lasted around three hours.  Also, kind of a heaviness in my throat or chest area..hard to tell where the feeling is coming from.  Also, feel kind of dehydrated...very dry mouth and drinking does not seem to help it.  My arm is still sore and the EP nurse (yesterday) said I was healing fine but to continue an occasional ice pack for some swelling.  Also, she could not remove the steri strips from my incisio...

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WISH ME LUCK! (update from a previous post)

On March 1st, I’m having a ventricle lead revision and pacer replacement. The decision has been made that I would receive the same pacer – Medtronic Adapta. My lead will be removed due to an issue and replaced from the RV apical area to the LBB area due to HF, (EF 40%), ventricle desynchrony, wide QRS @ 202ms. The DRs are optimistic that my cardiomyopathy will be reversed. I’m most nervous about the lead revision. The NP told me that the EP has done hundreds, if not tho...

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BRUISING

It has been 3 months since my husband had his 3rd box change but the device seems to be rubbing against the skin and it leaving a permanent darkish bruise and feeling a bit uncomfortable at times.Anyone any input as to whether it is safe to use something like Arnica cream/gel when you are on anti coagulants or anything else to help with the bruising.thanks 

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Swelling with antibiotic envelope

Hello,

 

Had a new pacemaker installed two days ago. This is my third device, but my first to be implanted in an antibiotic envelope.  The site seems significantly more swollen than I remember either of the 2 previous implant sites being.  The nurse did mention the swelling would be greater this time because of the envelope, which will dissolve slowly over time. Has anyone else had experience with this?  Thanks for reading!  - Matt 

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Pacemaker

Indyglo here.

Had my pacemaker on 02-17-23.  Been using ice every now and then and taking an occassionally iibuprofen.  The incison site is not painful but achy.and a litte itchy (that might be the steri strips).  I noticed that it is feeling a little warm around the incision site.  It does not appear red but hard to tell because the steri strips are on the site.  Is this normal?  I don't have a fever.

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Pacemaker

I got mine yesterday (Medtronic).  I am sore and doing a little around the house but keeping my arm as stable as possible, no lifting or raising my hand over my head.  I know I am not supposed to lift anything over 10# but what about using the right arm?  If I lift something around 5 or 10# with my right arm is that going to stress my heart?  I don't what anything to come apart or start bleeding.  So far, so good.  Using an ice pack when I came home yesterday...

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New to having a Pacemaker!

Hi everyone! I'm Jaylynne, but everyone calls me Jay. I just turned 31 at the end of December 2022.
I've been having issues with my heart since 2nd grade and it wasn't until I finally found a cardiologist to get me one of the MyZio (external) devices to be able to figure out what's wrong with me! Anyway, my surgery was Jan 4th, 2023. So as of Feb 15th 2023 I am officially 6 weeks post op! Which as y'all know means I have the clearance to move/exercise......

Howe...

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Thoughts on Ablation and Down the Road Watchman

Hello,

Very new to the club.  Had a CRT-D implanted January 11, 2023.  Things are going OK for the most part.  I'm very active so walking, hiking, light biking stretching has all been possible.  I'm dealing with episodes of AFIB, that the CRT-D has documented.  Cardiologist who did the implant mentioned ablation as a mean of dealing with the AFIB at some point down the road.  We'll know more after a 3 month echo and checkup.  Wondering if a...

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How long before I feel more energetic

Hello I have had my pacemaker (single wire) fitted four days ago.  Im wondering two things:  how long before I feel more energetic? And also my cardiologist has given me beta blockers for my current low blood pressure but could my readings of approx 90/60 stop me regaining my energy?

(I had tachy and bradycardia....fluctuating heart rates hence the pacemaker)

many thanks

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Armpit Swetting/Rash

Hi Everyone,

 I am two weeks post surgery for my first device.  Like others have mentioned, I am trying to use my left arm a little to keep it from freezing up.  However, it does hurt.  My biggest problem is keeping my armpit "aired out".  Sweat keeps building up.  I am keeping it clean and trying to keep it propped up so it breathes, but I am getting what looks like a yeast rash under my arm.  It is really uncomfortable.  Did anyone els...

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Pacemaker decision appointment

 

Hello everyone,

I've posted a few posts here before. I am 30 years old and It's related to my 3rd degree heart block. It was discovered by chance a few months ago that I probably have congenital 3rd degree heart block and no major structural problems were seen in the MRI, echo and treadmill tests. Holter tests revealed 3-5 second pauses and 3rd degree block. I lead a completely asymptomatic life. I got opinions from a few drs. There were doctors who s...

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New member

Hi all.   New member here.   Last few years I've been having tests done as I've been taking propranolol for 20 years (put on it for anxiety) and my heart rate is very low.  Late 30's, 40's etc but it can go higher then.  Had few ultrasounds, mri etc.  Told me I've got cardiomyopathy, heart block etc.  So, I'm coming off of propranolol now (nearly off them completely now), then got to go back for another holder monitor then maybe...

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Post Pacemaker Implant

I had a pacemaker implanted last Thursday. I am no longer out of breath but am feeling woozy/spacey - kind of dizzy but not like I'm going to pass out. Is this the normal part of adjusting? Today it seems to be the worst. I have my first post op appointment Thursday. I had 2nd degree heartblock with a few 3rd degree which was going on for a loooooong time. Any incite would be appreciated! :) 

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Jaw pain

Pain in lower left jaw

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Pacemaker surgery tomorrow

Hello everyone.

My doctor recently decided that I need I pacemaker. I will get it tomorrow. I have an AV block type 2 mobitz 2. I don't show symptoms but doctors think that because it has progrerss from type 1 to type 2 m1 to m2 now it is better to put the pacemaker now before type 3 which is very dangerous.

I am 30 years old and I am scared, sometimes I doubt that I really need it. But it is for the best. I have mixed feelings about it. I just hope I get to the moment where I...

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Post Replacement Question

It's been over a month since my surgery.  All seems to be ok with the exception of soreness from where the leads are.  How long should I expect this area to be tender?  I don't recall this from my initial placement in 2013.

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Redness after box change

My husband had a box change 24th November and rested for a couple of weeks before driving again and playing snooker,but he has noticed a redness around edge of where box situated (no temperature or any other symptoms).Is this where the edge of the device reacting to movement again (this ICD was slightly bigger and EP had to pop the muscle to insert)and nothing to worry about-any comments appreciated.Thanks 

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Update from procedure n Dr appointment

So if you know from my previous post after the ablation study procedure dr toold me . That he dint find no areas to do ablation he did nention this ..you do have extra beat but it's coming from I forgot the area he mentioned n Said nothing he can do there ? He told me I be taking 12.5 metropolol like I always been but he will add 30 MG 3 times per day of cartia.  Why ?? I mention can I start going gym ? He said wait till I get your rhythm under control ?? But Said it's OK...

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Midnight Cough

So I have been experiencing a very strange symptom since my pacemaker replacement on 8/22. Every night at exactly midnight, I feel a weird sensation in my chest that causes me to cough. It literally lasts 20-30 seconds, I cough, and it's over. And it happens at 12 AM in the dot. Every single night. 😂😂😂 This happen to anyone else?  I have my next cardio appt in January. I'm going to for sure ask both my Medtronic rep and my cardiologist.

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Cardiac ablation pray for me or wish me well please!!

well, time is almost here hope i write back in here if i don't it means am gone I have a pacemaker i don't know if the cables inside will be moved or in the way?? i get so confused by the comments here. will i be completely out ? will i know what's going on. Did someone mention in a post that one of the worst parts is the anesthesia they use on the legs ? i also suffer from some sleep apnea will that causes me problems,, i have noticed that even do im scared,,i think am more scare...

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You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.