1st time

hi there
i go into hospital tomorrow morning to have a pacemaker fitted for the 1st time. i am apprehensive and a little scared. i am told it is 60 - 90 mims proceedure and to stay in hospital over night. i was diagnosed with a slow heart rate, this was discovered after being cardioverted twice for af. i went straight back into af even when the 2nd time i was given flecanide to keep my heart rate in rythem
could anyone tell me the recovery time as i am due to start looking after my friends 2 children for the school holidays which start in around 3 weeks time, the 9 year old girl has ceryble palsey,she is quite mobile but as children go they need lots of attention.
also, could someone tell me, will i always have to have a pace maker
thank you for your time in reading this
shirley

3 Comments

FIRST ONE

by pete - 2009-06-23 02:06:12

Sounds like your real prblem was bradycardia. The AF was probably incidental. Recovery can be very quick. Some patients go home the same day. Expect some pain or discomfort and soreness for 5 to 10 days on average. This wont stop you doing light duties during this time. As I suspect you are a relatively young person this will aid fast recovery. You will very likely have a pacemaker for the rest of your life. Think yourself lucky as lots of people are walking the streets who need a pacemaker and by the time they find out it could be too late. Dont be afraid having the pacemaker fitted is like going to the dentist and having a couple of teeth out. They are wonderful devices and are at the really one of the most effective medical treatments ever invented. I have lost count of the number of people who I know pesrsonally who have them. Let us know how it goes. Cheers Peter

PM info

by janetinak - 2009-06-23 03:06:27

Hi Shirley,

Peter is right. PM placement usually is no big deal & altho adjustments are necessary to get the rate, etc right for you it can be done. Lots of us are living proof. I stayed overnight & went home on Tylenol which helped the soreness. But I felt so much better after the PM insertion that the discomfort in the placement site was minor. Only limitation is usually is using the arm on the side PM is place. Usually Dr, wants you to limit lifting to 5 lbs or less. for a few wks & not to lift arm over your head for awhile. Just try & get a lot of rest in the 1st 3 wks before the kids are your responsibility. Maybe you can get some books, videos, etc to let the kids keep themselves busy while you sit & watch them. Not sure about time line on PM. Dr needs to answr that one.

Let us know how it goes.

Janet

Home now

by sholgate - 2009-06-26 02:06:29

thank you to janet and peter for your comforting comments, they very were reasurring.
all went well and am home now recovering.
the proceedure took just 60 mins and the cosultant and staff were very relaxed and chatty the whole period.
it was a very weired experience as i have never been awake for open proceedure before but i can put anyone at rest who is about to have this done.
i was kept in overnight after a series of checks and go back to to the hospital to be checked out at the end of july.
there are the normal do's and dont's and all will be knitted together after 6 weeks to take up normal daily activities.
thanks
shirley

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