3 weeks post op - advice please

Hi,

A newbie here needing a bit of guidance / reassurance.

Biventricular Pacemaker 9th Dec this year, previously had mechanical aortic valve dec 2007 - no symptoms before valve operation, however, since approx 18 months ago have suffered with tiredness, aching legs, numbness, shortness of breath, etc, etc. After numerous tests a decision was made by my cardiologist to have a biventricular pacemaker implanted. I am not due to go back to cardiologist until 1st Feb and don’t want to waste people’s time if my symptoms are normal (ish !!). 40 yr old female.

Now this is where I need some advice:  was not too bad first week or so, pain but expected. I have attempted walking a bit which includes slight hills (due to where I live - no choice if I want to walk) but I am really struggling getting out of breath - only walking 20 mins. Is this normal? - am I stupid in thinking that I would have immediate results?  It is beginning to get me down, checking blood pressure / pulse at various times during the day. Blood pressure around 150/93 mostly, but up 139/103 after walk yesterday. I don’t feel any better at all.

In addition it feels like the pacemaker has been implanted really close to my armpit (I am quite slight in build) and it appears to be restricting my movement and causing me a very uncomfortable and sometimes painful time. Feeling like its pulling with every arm movement (I am not currently lifting my arm above my shoulder as advised on hospital discharge). My collarbone (left) is painful and is slightly swollen compared to the right side. Again, is this normal after 3 weeks?

Apologies for what seems like a 101 questions, but its starting to get me down now and I don’t want to go to gp (family doctor) if this is fairly normal when having pacemaker implant. Thanks in advance for any thoughts / advice.

Cheers

3 Comments

Hello Rufus

by mike thurston - 2011-12-30 02:12:28

Welcome to the community. Hopefully you wil find both help and understanding here as many have. Every case is different and individual so be sure to work with your Doctors and technicians. Seek 2nd opinions if unsatisfied with the help and answers you get currently. I have a PM/ICD, am totally dependent and in permanent a-fib with about 1/3rd of heart dead from two Heart attacks. My EF was 15% before the AV Node ablation and implant. Over the 4 & 1/2 years my EF has been about 45 to 50 % with the biventricular setup. I know this is not always that successful but many times it is. It could be you need some settings tweaked and it could be that you need some more time to heal. I mountain bike, rock climb, do aerobics, lift weights etc. I do struggle with hills but make it up all but the steepest. Walking uphill definitely is a challenge at times, I would rather ride my bike since my knees suck :) Is your pulse going up when you walk ?? What is your upper limit ? One thing to try if your pulse is not going up is to tap on your PM. Lots of them (mine) sense vibration via a pizeoelectric crystal and this tells the PM to increase the pulse rate. Lots of possibilities here, don't despair. Hopefully you have AN EP (electro physiologist) involved and the device was implanted by a Doctor with lots of experience. If not I would definitely consult a good EP as they are highly trained in the electrical aspects of the heart. Wishing you progress and a Happy 2012.

Mike T.

pace maker

by k4ren - 2012-01-01 04:01:37

hello i had my pace maker 3 mounths ago mine is very close to my arm pit and i was uncomfortable for 6 to 8 weeks i found it took a while to get over the sergery give your self time i am in my 40s and it dose get easier keep wrighting if it was not for the people on here i would of got through this you can always ring your cardiac nurse to check on your pace maker it will all be ok karen x

Followup adjustments

by ElectricFrank - 2012-01-01 06:01:14

Do I understand correctly that you have not had a followup adjustment since the pacer was implanted? From the posts I see here on the forum it seems like more and more cardios are dispensing with early checkups unless the patient complains. A biventricular pacemaker by it's nature has more critical timing adjustments than the simple 2 lead type. Even they benefit by being tweeked.

In my case I had several sessions with the Medtronic rep over the first month, which resulted in having very nice running pacer. I agree with Cabg Patch that there is no reason to suffer through another month.

frank

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You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

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