Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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interogation after surgery

we have an ongoing discussion about the need to interogate a pacemaker after having been stopped with a magnet during a surgical procedure. our anesthesiologist demand it even though the pacer reps say it is not nessesary. unable to find any supportive literature. thanks for any feedback.

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Tiredness

Hi all, I wondered if anyone could shed light on their experiences of recovery post-operation. I had my Pacemaker fitted on 21st January 2013 following extreme dizzy spells starting last September. A 24-hour ECG showed my heartrate overnight was in the 20s with pauses. I was diagnosed with 2nd degree AV block. As a 56 year old, long-time runner (24 years so far) I am fit, so the Pacemaker has minimum settings of 40 bpm overnight and 50 bpm during the day. Four weeks on from the operation I...

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Constant no. beats per min

I read Smitty's response wherein he said when a pacemaker is permanent there is no fluctuation in bpm. I am to have an AV ablation next week and this is the first I have heard of that, and I will be dependant on the pacemaker.

Would be pleased if several of those who know firsthand will confirm and let me know what problems that would cause. Like are you then only to move reasonably steadily or resume riding, racing etc.

Many thanks for responses. MT

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sore arm

Hi all and thanks for your best wishes
I had my op last Friday and all went well (I think)
but my shoulder is that sore
it feels like Ive been kicked by a horse
its the muscle thats sore not the stitches
if I lay my arm down at rest its fine with no pain
if I lift my arm up using my other hand its still OK
but if I try to raise my arm under its own power
it bloody well hurts like crazy
is this a normal sympton and will it go away
Just wondering...

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How Long Will it Take??

After having a pacemaker installed on 12/31/12 due to bundle branch block in which my heart rate was 30 and stopped for 10 seconds, I am still tired all the time. I really expected to be back to my normal active lifestyle by now. It's been 6 weeks and my legs still feel like rubber. My pacemaker has been adjusted once. The doctor told me to walk 30 minutes a day and after 5 minutes I am exhausted. At times I have experienced muscle spasms on the site side and skipped heart beats. I have friend...

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AV node ablation recovery

would any of you who have had SSS and AV node ablation tell me approx how long does it take after to be really alive again - to be able to go for a brisk walk and play golf. Many thanks

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Omg! long post zapped and disappeared

After writing a very long post to help one poster and then to address my tissue, the system zapped my entire message. Is this a common problem? I am not normally pro message boards because people try to give and get medical advice from non-professionals...but after worsening nerve and muscle pain 2 months post op and no medical help I'm willing to ask anyone for help...prescribed narcotic and nerve pain Meds, ibuprofen...tylenol..ice, heats, rest, expensive support bras...nothing helps. Idon't...

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new implant

Hi. I just got a pacemaker/defibrillator kind of combo implant a week ago. Like most people I imagine i worry about every little thing. Yesterday I leaned back against a pillow on the couch and could tell I pulled something. It feels like some muscle in the middle of my chest and goes up into my neck. Can feel it in my back too. Has anyone else had that happen to them and should I be worried? My first checkup is next Mon.

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Recoery from Pacemaker procedure

Hi - Has anyone experienced very severe pains in the chest after surgery. I was crying in agony with a piercing pain inbetween my breasts which was aggravated on movement. I returned to hospital and they advised taking Ibuprophen, saying it was inflammation. After about 4 days of sitting around and just taking the Ibuprophen it got better. It is now 3 weeks since the procedure, but the pains returned a few days ago, but not so severe, but bad enough that I was unable to take proper breathes wit...

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Recovery at Two weeks post PM

Well, two weeks post PM installation for heart block/bradycardia.
What a difference, as a competative 61 year old cyclist I thought I really knew my body. So for the last year or so riding some 200-300 KM a week I thought the occasional bit of tiredness, post ride nap, feeling really wrecked after a day in the city consulting etc was all normal!
Well guess what it isn't.......all of a sudden, no tiredness, naps gone and I feel like I am about 10 years younger....

Back on the...

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muscle spasms

I had my pm put in about 3 weeks ago. I need to know if muscle spasms are a normal part of having a pm? I started having these about a week and a half after the pm was put in. I had very sharp throbbing pain a week ago Friday, that my daughter took me to the er at our local hospital. They told me I was having very strong muscle spasms, and that was just my body getting used to the pm. They gave me muscle relaxers, and pain pills. When it starts if I can get laid down on my right side, it al...

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Showering

Hello All! I'm new to the actual pacemaker club, it was implanted Thursday but I did come across this website a while ago and I have to thank everyone because it made this decision incredibly easy. Just for a little background I have had 8 ablations all together for WPW then IST. My EP said he's never seen a sinus node as stubborn as mine, which I guess in the normal world would be a great thing. I'm lucky to say the only major pain I have had is from where they put the chest tubes in but I'm ke...

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anticipated operation for first pacemaker in Feb

Hello everyone!

I was told about this group as I am fairly young and a bit nervous about the upcoming surgery.

I am expecting a simple pacemaker to get fitted to repair a bundle branch block and ectopic heart beat. It has been causing great fatigue, dizziness and a bit of chest pain as well.

At first my GP thought it was labryinthitis which I found odd but now he is coming around. I also have an artificial aortic valve since I was about 24 years old due to a reg...

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PM put in very soon, nervous

Looks like I will be getting a pacemaker put in the end of this week or early next week. :( Bradycardia has not improved no matter what the cardiologists have tried. Heart rate still staying in the 40s even with activity, and sometimes dropping into the 30s and even 20s. They are going to have me meet with the surgeon Thursday morning to talk about the pacemaker and answer any questions I might have and then tell me what day they will be putting it in. I am not at all happy about this, and have...

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Colonscopy

Hello...asking if any of you have had Colonscopy.. Any special consideration with a pacemaker? Thanks

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10 yrs of fibrous tissue and re -implant

Hi all,
I had my medtronic kappa 900 dr pacemaker implanted surgically and under gen anesthesia due to it placement intramuscular,. Ive had it 10 yrs and im scheduled to get a new one on feb 19th! Im scared because this one has become part of my body the EPS Dr. Said! He has to cut thru 10 yrs of fibrous tissue and hes putting in a different brand? Bio ??? Something? I dunno? Anyways, im scared because he told me "it will hurt much more than last time due to it being in the neves and musc...

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Uncomfortable after surgery

Dear all,

There are many questions running through my head and I'm sleeping in fear every night. I couldn't even sleep well. I have the pacemaker implanted on 13 Jan 2013. It was all good till few days back. I started to feel my heart pounding in the middle part and I don't really feel good about it. Also, I feel abit dizzy once I stand up to walk. It didn't happen till recently. I am really worried about it. I checked my pulse and it is normal. I hope there is anyone with experience...

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cardiac catheterization

i am suppose to have this tomorrow morning and i am a nervous wreck can anyone fill me in I have a pace maker 14 months ago what do they do Dee

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Pacemaker Insertion

I am 17 years old, and am having a pacemaker inserted in a few weeks. I was born with Unbalanced AV Canal Defect with a single ventricle, and because of that, they are going to place the pacemaker in my diaphragm area. I am worried about people seeing the pacemaker through my skin, and the extension of my already existing scar. Does anyone have and answers or suggestions as to what's coming for me?

I really appreciate it.

Tris

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follow up appointment

Hi, just heard that my follow up appointment is not till April 12th. My op was Jan 10th. Does this seem a long wait for a follow up appointment?
Brian (UK)

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My pacemaker has ultimately saved mine and my unborn child’s life for which I am thankful.