Discomforts

Hi everyone. I had my pacemaker implanted on Feb. 4, 2010. I had the pacemaker due to my blood pressure dropping to low and when I went to sleep my heart rate would drop down to 20. During the surgery I had a few complications. First I was diagnoised with Presistent Left Sided Superior Vena Cava which just meant that the pacemaker had to go on the right side instead of the left. Then my heart was punctured. When I awoke from the surgery I was having severe pain the lower part of my throat. They do not know why but are guessing nerve endings. I have been to my checkup and was told everything is healing good. I am still experencing some pain in the lower part of my throat and today I have been light headed. When I take a deep breath it hurts in my throat and the center of my chest. Does anyone know if this is normal?

2 Comments

Right Side..

by qwerty - 2010-02-22 12:02:35

Hi Tracie. Welcome to the club. I got my PM on 1/25/10, so I am somewhat of a newbie too. But, they put mine on the right side. I really don't know why and I haven't seen anyone to ask. I don't go back for my first check until 3/16, but I guess they figure I will call if I have any problems. I was shocked when I realized they were putting on the right... I was awake... but could not see what they were doing so I was not sure for a while. Being right handed, this is a little challenging since you can't raise your right arm or pick anything up for a while. I have gotten pretty good with my left hand and I only have one more week to keep my arm down.
As for the pain in the throat, I can't help you with that as I didn't have that. My only pain was shoulder/back pain where they beat on the pm to get it in I guess, but even that is slowly going away.
With it on the right side, I don't have the seat belt hitting it when I drive, which is good.
Just take it easy and give yourself time to heal...

Happy Monday
Cherell

Discomforts

by TracieOT - 2010-02-23 01:02:42

Thank you Cherell. If I were you I would ask them why they put it on that side. I am right handed and that is why they where going to put mine on the left side but due to the Persistent Left Sided Superior Vena Cava (which they found during the surgery) they put it on the right side. Persistent Left Sided Superior Vena Cava is where the vessels loop. Which means if anything was to ever happen and I needed to have ivs placed in my chest it cant be done on the left side. So it is something good to know.
I am just starting to have some pains in my right shoulder. I was awake during my surgery as well but thanks to GOOD medications I did not feel anything and cant remember what went on! I had an awesome doctor! I wish you the best of luck!

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.