Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Will you share your experience to help another patient?

I'm the director of patient advocacy for Emmi Solutions, a company that makes online patient education programs for people who will be having surgery for all types of medical conditions, including patients who will have ICD's and pacemakers. We will also be producing programs in the near future on atrial fibrillation and coagulation management therapy.

We talk with patients directly about their experience, and ask patients to watch our programs and provide feedback because we want to...

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Draniage part II

I would like to fill everyone in on my drainage problem that I wrote about earlier in the week. I know a few of us thought it was an infection...and so did I. I went to the hospital and they admitted me to cardiac unit, thinking it was a severe infection. They were going to take out my pacemaker let the area that was infected heal a and place a new pacemaker in on the otherside of my chest. Well, thank goodness they did several test and they concluded that I caught a skin allery from the tape th...

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Pacemaker placement


Hi again everyone:)
My pacemaker is implanted under the collar bone. Thanks to this wonderful site I was able to find out that there are other options for placement, like under pectoral muscle. Are there any extra potential complications involve or longer healing time by doing that? In comparison to just have that under the color bone. Is that a good idea at all?
I am schedule for the replacement on Oct.-30
I would be very grateful for any info. on this subject.

T...

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Drainage

Im 30 years old and I have had my second pacemaker implanted on 10.17.07. I have followed all my post surgery instructions and the area around my pacemaker is draining this yellowish clear goo and I have called the oncall doctor and he says its nothing....I feel that there is a problem....can anyone shed some light?

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Life after implant

Well it's been one week today I had my Pace Maker implanted.
Haven't had any info from the Doctor that did the implant cause he has been off sick since. I sure am glad I don't get dizzy everytime I stand up but have a hard time slowing down, especially no driving for 12 days, feel like a caged lion. My wife is recovering from Breast Cancer which she had a Breast removed Oct 2006 and Chemo and Radiation but she has been a gem driving me where I have to go. Never had to have any pain medic...

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traumatized

Hi, I'm a new member from down under and would like to know if other people have experienced a lot of pain during the surgery. I had my pacemaker implanted on 10/10/07 under a local anaesthetic. The pain was bearable until the surgeon started opening up the pocket under my skin. I made it obvious I was in pain (moaning and groaning and talking about it was like a bad chidbirth experience) but he did not acknowledge me or offer any more anaesthetic. The only other person I know who has a pacem...

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hey peoples!

Blake, you could go ahead and send me that extra $50 from the photo album ;) lol jk
So, where to start….? Oh, I guess from the beginning.
I think I told you about the surgery I had last month? Everything was okay after that (except feeling a lot of pain on the incision site….not to mention feeling like a piece of paper with the staples they placed on the incision). But, my sister kindly offered to help out by using her staple remover she purchased at an office supply store….in which...

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New to the club

Hi, I just had a pacemaker implanted a week ago. I'm 43, and I was having symptoms of dizziness and fatigue while exercising. This was a whirlwind, as the surgery was done as an emergency after review of my Holter monitor. I feel so much better, but am a little apprehensive about what this means for the future. I was very active. I bicycled regularly, and my doctor has restricted this for 6 weeks as he doesn't want me putting any excess weight on my arms. My implant area is a little tender...

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first post questions on recovery

Hi,
I am so glad I found this site. I am a 35 year old and just had a pm on 8/16. I had never had any problems before with my heart and was in the hospital for gallbladder surgery when they noticed a low heartbeat (in the upper 30's). So instead of leaving an organ I got a new one! I have had a really hard recovery and now am going to Physical Therapy to help get normal movement and range back with my left arm. I was wondering if any one knows of any lotions or oils to use to help str...

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HI EVERYONE, I'M BACK!

HELLO TO ALL, I HAD TO JOIN THE CLUB AGAIN TO BE ABLE TO POST. I COULDN'T POST ANY MESSAGES, EVEN AFTER "CLEANING COMPUTER FILES ETC".
ANYWAY, I HAD POSTED AFTER HAVING MY 1ST PACER IMPLANTED. THAT WAS ON SEPT 13TH. JUST OVER 2 WEEKS AGO. I'M HEALING GOOD, JUST STARTING TO HAVE THE NERVE TO TRY SLEEPING ON MY USUAL SIDE POSITION. IT HURTS ON MY LEFT STILL, ALMOST FEELS LIKE A PINCHING; SO I AM TRYING MY LEFT. THE FIRST 5 DAYS WERE HARD FOR ME. ALOT OF PAIN AND BRUISING, AND ESPECI...

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New PM implanted

Hi everyone, I'm new to your club. This will be my first posting. I had my pacemaker implanted on the 13th (thurs.) I still feel a bit weird, I was totally awake for the whole thing. I thought I would be drousy, but no such luck! I did feel the leads going into my heart, and told the Anasgl. that I could, but he said they were nearly finished. My question is: Other than the normal arm and incision pain, does anyone have the pressure feeling? I have a weird feeling in that it almost feels l...

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Pacemaker replacement

Is ther anyone out there who has had an AV node ablation and then at a later date had thier pacemaker replaced. If so how did they keep your heart beating when the pacemaker was swopped for the new one. Cheers Peter you can contact me directly at bayhoecott@yahoo.co.uk

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First Follow Up Appointment

Had my first check today after 3 weeks. Found to be pacing at 100%. Doc set me up for a stress test in 2 weeks. I think this is precautionary as I am having no symptons of any type of a blockage. However, he did not it pacing at 100%.

Left arm still hurts at night and is numb on the outside of upper arm. Doc just discounted this as no concern. It is improving slowly.

I am really enjoying reading the post on this site.

M.H.

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I'm home

I got a dual Medtronic PM and used no pain killers. I am sore and tired but doing ok. Will talk to people later.

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Arm movement questions

Most of the literature warns about lifting and moving your arm above your head on the side where the PM is implanted. Does anyone know of any restrictions for lifting (like a 15 lb suitcase) using the arm on the side where the PM was not implanted? It has been about 12 days since I had the operation.

Thanks

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Well tomorrow is pacemaker day!!!

I have surgery in the morning. I am getting a little nervous but you guys helped me see it was going to be ok. Thanks alot for the responses and also for the info as I read other posts.

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Stress

I am scheduled for an EP study 9/4 and a biventricular pacemaker/ defibrillator implant the next day. I have an extremely stressful job - but not one that is too terribly physically demanding, I have been told I will be able to return to work on the Monday after the Wednesday implant. (9/10) Is that realistic? If I am going to be out much beyond that I need to try to plan in advance as much as possible. Thanks.

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Still not myself

I had a dual chamber put in on May 24th with a diagnosis of SSS. I had passed out my whole life and it was always attributed to a vasovagal response as there was always a precipating event. I always felt good and had a high level of energy. The last time I passed out I was sitting at my desk at work eating lunch. The stress test and cardiac ultrasound were normal but the holter picked up a HR of 18 for several seconds. They told me a pacer was needed. In the initial weeks after surgery, I h...

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How Careful Do I need to be?

I got my PM three weeks ago and now that my surgery wound is getting much better and I am getting more active, I have begun to wonder just how careful I need to be about the implant site. The only information I received was to not engage in activity that results in "pressing" on the PM site. How easily can damage occur? If I bump into a wall, slapped on the chest, or hit during a pillow fight....will those things cause damage? Any insights?

Jack

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Thanks for the infomation

I started reading the posts from this site about a month ago. You all have certainly helped me prepare for the big event and know what to expect. I am a 56 year old male with sick sinus syndrome. Had the PM implanted on Friday August 16 . I was in OR for about two hours. Doctor had said it would be take about an hour so my wife and daughter were definitely getting concerned. It is a strange feeling being awake during the operation and talking with the doctor and nurses. I could feel some...

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Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.