Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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2 days post surgery

Its been 2 days since I had my pacemaker implantation. I feel like things are great as far as the pacemaker goes. Dr said the pm started working immediately when he connected it. However, 2 days later my right shoulder/chest is KILLING me to the point that I can't get a deep breath. I called to Cardio post op nurse and she said it could be pinched nerve. Others say it could be gas!! I've certainly never had a gas pain so severe! Anybody ever experienced that.
Thanks
CJ

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Pacemaker Replacement A Breeze

Hi, I just wanted to reassure anyone who is having pacemaker replacement surgery. I'm a 64-year old woman. I've had a pacemaker since 1991. It was implanted because I have a rapid heartbeat, and the medication I take to slow my heart down could possibly slow it down too much. So the pacemaker was implanted in Sept. 1991. The first surgery wasn't bad, pacemaker & leads, overnight in hospital. Replacement in Jan. 2004 was a snap, outpatient surgery, was in hospital a few hours. Just had anot...

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Driving

Hi, last time I had pacemaker replacement surgery I was able to go back to work after a day and drove myself, as I have no one else to drive me. I just had my 3rd pacemaker surgery, had the battery replaced, the leads are fine. I rested at home for one day & I intend to go out and drive around the corner. Is this ok? My nurse in hospital said it was fine, I am going to wear layers of clothing, a jacket & put a folded up towel over the surgical site to the shoulder harness won't hurt me. The...

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New member

Help please - reaasurances needed for my pacemaker implant tomorrow.

Am by no means a wimp but don't know anyone who's bionic.

Thank you.

mosieposie

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Discomfort

I had surgery nearly four weeks ago. I still have some discomfort at my wound sight or where the pacemaker was inserted. It has healed well, but I wonder how long before all pain and tenderness will be gone.
Ginny

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Pacer wound 2 weeks old and draining fresh blood..

Hello, I'm back yet again. I got my pacer implanted two weeks ago tomorrow. I was in the bath and soap up around the wound, then pat the spot with a soapy wash rag and rinse. When i was drying off, I was patting around it with a towel when i noticed some creamy discharge. I thought it was left over soap and wiped it up. Went back to patting around and over it to dry it then i noticed fresh blood draining from the corner. Is this normal? I plan on calling the cardio in the morning to double check...

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Disney World 18 days after implant. Crazy?

My daughter and I had a trip planned to Disney World before I received the pacemaker. I only use it for low blood pressure protection (4%), so I am not really worried about the rides, but I wonder if the leads are sufficiently set into the heart wall to take the jostling that they will get.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

I feel fine.

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Is there A "BreakIn" time

I had a Revo MRI SureScan pacemaker installed (I have MRI's taken about every 3 years for mini-strokes and a tri-gem nerve) on 2/10 for slow heart rate; surgery area is not bothering me & I do some slight shoulder, left arm and finger exercises to keep the muscles flexible. My question is: whenever I move fast (normal for me, or use to be) like a turn or get up from a chair, I feel lightheaded, a fast pulsing in the heart area, breathing is a little heavier . Might this be my pacemaker kicki...

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pacemaker

Hi I will be going into surgery soon for a pacemaker ,I'm 45 yrs old and a little bit nervous ,I'm a factory worker so I have no idea how long I will be off work

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Shoulder Pain, Stiffness

Hello everyone,
I am a new member and honestly didn't think I would need much outside support, since I am blessed with wonderful family, friends, and doctors...but I do.
My pacemaker was implanted under the muscle Jan. 10, a little over a month ago. The problem is I am a wimp! I have been fortunate to have little pain throughout my life and now find myself with a chronic ache in the area surrounding my shoulder. The smallest movement or reach can cause an acute pain that feels like...

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DRIVEING

i got my PM 8 days ago,doing good,but forgot to ask about driveing.i'm 72 and don't go much but need to shop some. .love this web site its very helpful.

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Feel like this PM wants to push out

Hi all
I had my PM put in on Jan 30 and on the 7th had it checked and staples taken out and steri strips put on. No it feels stiff and like it wants to get out, also now feels sore towards armpit. I know the stiffness is prob the site healing but does this feeling of this uncomfortable lump ever go away. Thanks all, on the plus side it's working the way it should they told me, actibe 72percent of the time or something like that. I feel dumb about this .

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Exercise Strategy

Hi Guys,

I am two week PM owner as a result of thorascopic maze surgery that inadvertently ablated my SA Node. I am essentially 100% atrial paced. Would appreciate any comments on development of an exercise strategy. I have been a runner 40 years and I have attempted jogging only to find that even though the PM increases pulse I have no stamina at all. I expect this is due to being 18 days post maze surgery but I wondered if anyone else has similar experience. I am 56 old male in...

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found it all very difficult and painful

I am concerned since most of the post I read on here don't seem to be the same as my experience. The first day of surgery, I commented to my nurse, I felt like my solder was broken. She state that is because they manipulate your shoulder bone. Also the pain in general was terrible and now two weeks later, I still find it difficult to sleep at night due to the pain. I have to sleep flat on my back due to the damage to the bones and even if I try to sleep on the good side, the pressure on my colla...

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Planning extraction

Hi all just had a PM put in me last Monday. Long story short, went in for an ablation, primary doc told me afterwards all was good home next day. Middle of night awakened on multiple occasions with bright lights due to the other person in the room. Hence my body was flooded with adrenaline. (Ret Service) Told next day I had too low of a heart rate to go home held over till Monday. HR was 39 to 40 while sleeping, NORMAL for me. NO dizziness, no fainting, no trouble breathing. I do good cardio wor...

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Biotronik Evia SR-T

Hello! Yesterday morning I had a pacemaker implanted. Te device is Biotronik Evia SR-T. Does anyone else have this device? How is it working for you?

I dont have any pain unless I move then it's intense pressure and soreness not what I would call pain. My pacer was set to 70 beats a minute and I noticed that even though my heart rate was in the high 70's and low 80's it was pacing. I also notices that my heart rate was in the low 60's and high 50's when resting. After speaking to the...

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Leads Replacement

Hi all, I am writing for my Mother who received her pace maker on Thanksgiving day 2011. We went back in today and they said lower lead is out...ugghhhh. She is to have it done again on Tuesday 2/7. I am so scared about what will happen again!!! They perferated her heart last time (which they tell me is rare). Anyone had this? What should I expect for her ect...Also, on top of everything she has dementia so I have to really try to understand how things are for her....any help would be appr...

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Revision Experience

Had my pacemaker inserted on November 19th, 2011, but when I went for my 2 week check my atrial lead was "dropping some data" and had some noise. They took an x-ray and everything was in place, so they told me everything was fine. On Jan 19th, I went in to my cardiologist so the Medtronic rep could check out my PM, but the rep noticed the same issues and determined the lead was fractured. It's a St. Jude's lead, and my cardiologist had never seen them fracture before. So they scheduled a re...

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fluttering

Hi everyone,
So... I've said from the start that I 'stiill wasn't right'. After my fainting spell, I was sent to a specialist. HE will be operating this a.m. Something to do with the right side of tthe heart. He called the namme of the procedure, but didn't go into much detail. Not sure what he'll do, but hope it stops this almost constant quiver.

Anyone know what's goingbon? Enlighten me, thanks!

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23 years old and getting PM Feb 3rd

Hello. I am a 23 year old female who has had a rough few years. I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia. I've have four EP studies that equalled two ablations on extra pathways and this last one Jan 4th 2012 I had a sinus node modification. The day after I was released I was rushed back to the ER with my heart rate in the 20-30's. Stayed a week in hospital to see if my heart rate a rhythm would correct itself. I was released since my heart rate was holding steady in the 60's. Dr decided that we w...

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You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

Member Quotes

I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.