Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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My 82 year old Mother

My Mom just had this surgery, a pacemaker put in. She is in so much pain in her left shoulder, all the way down to her hand. There is certain spot on the top of her shoulder that hurts the most. Because of her age, my fear is she is not going to recover from this, or not be able to stay in assisted livng home. She just moved in there in August,2013 and loves it. If she ends up in a nursing home, I think that will kill her. They also accidently puctured her lung and she has a tube in her side to...

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pace maker

I just got a pace maker three weeks ago the recovery is going slow and not as well as the Dr. said . Im still in alot of pain at the site and the shoulder/ arm . There is no infection. Is this normal??

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New Pacemaker / Pain

Hi everyone. I just recently had a pacemaker put in last week in the submammary location. I also had a Medtronic loop recorder removed. Everything was going fine, until I got a sharp pain / cramp in my chest near the incision area where the loop recorder was removed a few days ago. The sharp pain / cramp lasted about a day. It subsided for a few days and has now returned. I am in excruciating pain and this is different than the pain I was experiencing due to the placement of the actual pacem...

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Don't "freeze"!

Hello dear pacers,

It's been four months that I had my PM implanted.
I came here to tell you about a small (I guess small) complication that I have been suffering during the last month.
My cardiologist asked me not to carry heavy loads and don't stretch the arm above the shoulder level and not to comb the hair for one month...LOL (of course, not to use the arm where the PM was implanted), but seriously, I think I followed the instructions too seriously. One night, when I tri...

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1st Replacement

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been posted many times - apologies for the replication!

I'm having my first replacement on Friday - was interested to know what peoples thoughts were on sedation? I know it's far less of an 'ordeal' than the initial fitting, but I didn't have a great experience first time around, fitting on the op table. I don't know whether this was because I was panicing or just a coincidence... but keen for it not to happen again.

Also, how long to p...

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Sub cutaneous insertion

I haven't seen any postings on this since 2010. I had my PM inserted one month ago and am back to vigorous exercise. My MD inserted a larger one than planned and it interferes with my movement--my collar bone and my shoulder bone bang into it.
My MD never offered me the option of subcutaneous because he doesn't do it, but says I can get it done anytime (another incision and recovery).
Any latest comments on this please? Who would pay for a second surgery? Is it worth it? I can't sleep...

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sore boob

hi there i had my replacement pacemaker last Tuesday 22nd Oct and since then i have a pain in my left boob which was very bruised that i only noticed when i got home..i can't remember if i had this problem after previous surgery...anyone else have it..my pm is on my left side under shoulder...thanks

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How long until I feel better?

Hey Everyone!!!!
I just had my first pacemaker implanted a week and two
days ago, and I'm 60 years old.
Everything has gone fine and I got my staples out.
But, when will I start feeling stronger and have more energy?
I am probably rushing it, but I've been feeling bad so long, I'm
So ready to have some energy and feel better.

Thanks!!!

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Face Covered During PM Surgery

As I was still on the operating table coming out of the anesthesia I could feel that my face was covered with what seemed like fabric. I asked that my face be uncovered. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I must have passed out and as I again regained consciousness my face was still covered and I asked that whatever was covering my face be removed. By now I was in a panic and hyperventilating I remember the nurse/anesthesiologist saying they would uncovered my face shortly and finally they did a...

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Lead extraction or not

Hallo everyone....quick info then I want your oppinion.
I have Sick Sinus Syndrome and 1st degree heart block. I have a single lead right now but getting a second lead to help me out. Especially with excersize. I have had it for the past 15 years...first replacement was last year. My current lead has a 2 - 3 cm area where is pretty block, scar tissue I believe. So they did a venogram and found that not all the blood goes back into my heart and that some get pushed up into my neck. My doctor...

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It's official

I had my pacemaker implanted yesterday. It is a Metronic bi-lateral multi-chamber device, I think. As prepared as I tried to make myself for this, everything is still a bit foggy. I am now resting comfortably at home. I was flat on my back from 7:30 yesterday morning until 10:30 last night (a long story that I will put in a different post).

The tech told me that we are pacing the lower chamber with three leads, two in the front and one in the back. Those are about all of the sketchy...

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Question

Hi all

I'm due to have my PM fitted tomorrow after a failed attempt 2 weeks ago. Apparently my veins are the wrong side. I'm 44 and from the uk. I've had ASD repair in 1977 and also had an ablation in April this year for afib. Since then my heart goes way too slow after an afib episode and then stays slow.

Just have a general question about how long recovery is?

Many thanks
Julie

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Scar Tissue and Emotional Stuff

Hi all,

I've been posting a lot here since I went into ERI a few weeks ago. You guys helped me get my s*** together and press the doctors to push my replacement up 2 weeks and so I'm not 2 weeks post-op.

The first time I got a pacemaker, I was 15 years old and totally unafraid. I thought it was no big deal to have the device, the scar barely bothered me... I don't even think I kept my arm down for the mandatory 6 weeks. I pretty much went back to living life as a 15 year ol...

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Lead replacement

Hallo everyone,
I have had my pacemaker since I was 15, I am now 30 years old. I had my pacemaker replaced last year. They tried to put a second lead in but failed to do that because there was too much scar tissue around the lead. Now im going for another surgery to possible have it removed and then put a new one in as well as a second one. Has anyone ever had this? They are talking about complications being a big possibility. Im not scared or anything Im just curious. Especially on the rec...

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4 weeks post

I found this website while I was in the hospital waiting for my PM implantation, but just joined today. Before being wheeled to the OR I was still looking at specs for different PM, since it was going to come down to a choice between 2.
I have St. Jude's dual chamber, set for 50-130.
The first week was spent freaking out about everything ( blood coming through the bandage, twinges in my chest) and realizing the freaking out not only was not helping, it was only bringing on anxiety,...

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PM on the move?

Hello all,

I'm 42 and almost 5 weeks post op. My new PM seems to be moving higher in my chest. It is suppose to be buried under my pec and hidden by my breast tissue. I still have considerable swelling on and off that extends towards my armpit and into my upper arm. I was told the swelling might happen because the breast tissue tends to weep until the pocket heals. At first you could not really see the PM. Now it is quit noticeable and just below my clavicle and is preventing me fro...

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Is this normal?

I had my pacemaker implant last Thursday which was required for me to be able to run again without having dead legs when my heart rate gets to around 140. It has been set at 180 upper limit and 40 lower limit. However when I went for a five minute gentle walk today my legs felt a bit weak. Another symptom I have is that when I lie down my neck and left shoulder hurt especially when I try to turn in bed. Is this normal - has anyone else experienced these symptoms post op?
Thanks as always...

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#6

Hey everyone, I've been lurking on the site since Monday or Tuesday when I found out I was going to be going in for a replacement. I was at the grocery store on Sunday evening and started getting winded. Thought it was weird so called the cardio the next day. They scheduled me for next Thursday (24th). Wednesday morning I woke up and was feeling light headed, and really winded. I called the doc and they told me to head into the ER. Later that evening (after being transported to Austin Hear...

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Flu shot before or after PM insert?

Hi to all, I have been reading this site for a couple of weeks and have learnt a lot from all the candid answers.
I was diagnosed about 18 months ago with permanent Afib, heart failure and some cardiomyopathy from the fast heart beat. The docs tried cardio version which worked for a few minutes, then amioderone which unfortunately caused hypothyroidism. I currently take ramipril, carvelidol,xeralto, and synthroid.
I am having a CRT-P pacemaker and Av node ablation in two weeks time.

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Newbie

Hi, My name is Chris, and im 33 yrs old living in the UK. I have just been given a date today for my first pacemaker implantation op and to be honest im terrified, Perhaps I shouldn't be as i work in emergency medicine but when its you its a new ball game. Need some advice and support really. Im scared of the operation, im a latex allergy sufferer so is there more of a chance i could be allergic to the pacemaker or leads? if so whats the solution other than removing the thing .. Do you feel i...

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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.