Recovery Time

Hello! I am new to the group, and have found this website to be very helpful. I am an active 25 year old, an I am having my pacemaker but in a couple weeks. I have has some fainting spells lately and learned that my heart has been beating in the mid 30's. I find myself very tired mid afternoon, so I'm hoping the pacemaker might help this.

Although I realize the pacemaker will help me feel better, I'm still a little apprehensive. From what I read the procedure seems pretty easy. The thing I'm most concerned about is recovery time. How much time do I need to take off work? I am a teacher, and I really don't want to be gone for an extended period of time. When do people typically return back to work? I know I'll have physical limitations, but that shouldn't affect my everyday work. Any advice?

Thanks!

3 Comments

Recovery

by ElectricFrank - 2011-11-29 02:11:51

A lot depends on where you have the pace implanted. I notice from your profile that you are in the younger group so may want it implanted deep for cosmetic reasons. Us old duffers (I''m 81) don't care.

You didn't mention what you teach and how active you have to be. For classroom teaching The only limitation at all would be reaching up above shoulder level to write on a white board. You may not even have that in the modern classroom.

For myself I could have have gone back to teaching (I'm a retired electronics instructor) in just a few days. As it was I was walking 3 miles/day in just a day or so. The important thing is that mine is implanted just under my skin below the clavicle on the left side. This disturbed a minimal amount of tissue.

By the way a suggestion that has helped quite a few people. The first few nights after the surgery the incision area is sensitive to being squeezed. So if you like sleeping on your side lay on the opposite side from the pacemaker. Put a pillow in front of you to support the upper arm. Using this I slept normally through the first night without pain meds.

Welcome to the forum. Let us know how it goes for you.

frank

Recovery can be quick.

by jenny97 - 2011-11-29 10:11:28

As the others said, a lot depends on how active you need to be at work and generally how you feel. I had my PM placed when I was just a little younger than you and they placed it under my muscle (for which I'm grateful, simply because my skin is brittle). They also placed it on my dominant side (which is pretty unusual) because I play the violin and didn't want to have it hit the PM whenever I tried to play. Even with that, I was back at work in less than a week. (It was a desk job though.)

If they place it on your non-dominant side, though, you shouldn't have trouble writing on the white board.

It might be good to have some flexibility at work - alert them that you plan to be back on a certain day, with the understanding that things might change based on how you feel. If that kind of flexibility is possible.

When I had my PM replaced a couple of years ago, I did it on New Years Eve, which allowed me the long weekend to recover, so I was back at work after missing only 1 day. That said, the replacement surgery is quite a bit simpler and less painful, in most cases, than the original placement, especially if they go under the muscle.

I got my PM for fainting spells, bradycardia, and 2nd degree heart block and woke up from surgery feeling better than I had in almost 15 years. I hope the results for you will be as significant.

Anyway, good luck to you in the surgery and recovery.

Welcome!!

by donb - 2011-11-29 12:11:46

Happy to have you aboard!! As I'm an old timer with my 4th PM in nearly 20 years but also a very fortunate patient. As you didn't mention the negative feelings being so young and needing a PM. I had similar symtoms with low heart rate at rest prior to getting my PM. I didn't have a fainting spell till I was in the age 50s'. As my heart problems were electrical only, similar to yours, my PM did an excellant job of bringing life back to where I felt like I was your present age.
Generally today most implant surgeries don't have any complications and with a good mental attitude about the outcome you will do real good. I couldn't believe the change in get up & go. I took another licensed pilot with me and went flying with my plane, climbed to a good high altitude and "WOW" what a great feeling like you're a teen ager again, remember I was 60 at the time. This story repeats every day with not many patients ever even knowing of this support group.

As a teacher you already know the word communication real well. Use it with your Drs'. They get paid very well for these surgeries. You were probably told of precautions, you can expect some pain for a few days, the usual no lifting arm above shoulder level. No heavy lifting with your affected arm but do keep your arm moving keeping it down. This keeps from your PM leads from tugging until they settle in. Walking as soon as you feel like it. I had my own business & was back doing paper work in a week.
Generally most all restrictions are lifted in 4 to 6 weeks. I want to also welcome you to ASK & Ask as members of our group are anxious to hear your questions!! Good Luck!! donb

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