What to expect, PMsurgery in less than a month

Hello, im 22 years old and was just diagnosed with a 3rd degree Av block 2 leaky valves and an enlarged heart (they're assuming i was born with) im new to here and the idea of a pacemaker as ive never met anyone with one.but I guess im just looking for any kind of input to know what to expect, how i will feel, what will, happen, what i cant do after i have a pacemaker, how long i will have to be out school and work, how long before i can pick up my 2 year old, how to adjust to having a pacemaker, anxiety about the surgery Im just really nervous about the whole thing and having to be re cut open every so often, does it get harder or more painful as you have miltiple surgeries if you can help me out with any info i really appreciate it!


Alos Ive been reading posts and google trying to find info

10 Comments

Also

by mamalizz - 2012-03-29 08:03:31

Will I be able to get a tattoo around the pace maker and will i be able to ever ride roller coasters or other rides??

Getting A New Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2012-03-29 11:03:11

Hello,

I can understand your concern about the upcoming PM surgery, but like you have been told, it is unnecessary concern. To give you an idea of what is involved below is something I have written about my PM surgery experiences. I got my first PM in 2000 and the 2nd one in 2009. Both were done in the same hospital but by different Drs. Both surgeries were almost identical. So to give you some idea of what you are facing. This will get you started and if no one else answers your other questions, I give some of them a try tomorrow. But in a few words a PM will do its job with essentially no interference on your life style.

For my surgery I arrived at the appointed time, which was 7 AM. I was given a some of the hospitals latest fashions to put on and told to lie down and get comfortable as it would be a little while before the surgery. I read the paper and watched TV for a couple of hours while other PM patients were also being readied for their PM . After about an hour I got an IV and spent the next 3 or 4 hours being "prepped" which consisted mainly of getting about a quart (at least it looked like that amount) of antibiotic through the IV and the surgery area cleaned and cleaned real good.

About noon the doctor showed up and examined the area for the implant. After another hour or so I was wheeled off to the surgery area where I spent another 30 or 40 minutes being "dressed or draped" for the surgery.

Sometime after I got in the surgery area I received some medication to make me relax so they said, but what it did was make take a nap in about a half-sleep mode. I vaguely remember being told they were injecting a local anesthetic into the area where the surgery would be performed so I would not feel the anything. About 45 minutes later I was told, "okay Mr. Smith, we are through and your pacemaker is working just fine." I was wheeled back into a room where I had to wait for awhile to be sure I had no adverse reactions to any of the meds I had received. About 5 PM I was told I could go home.

I was not unexpectedly sore and my healing was no problem. I did have restricted use of my arm for a few days, the main thing being not to raise my elbow above my shoulder, or lift more than a few lbs. with the arm on the side of the PM. I was n lot allowed to drive for about 24 hours and then for short distances for a week or so. All in all the pain is less than most dental surgery I have had, and since I was retired even with the first one, it did not interfere with any activates.

One last word, you will go home with your Drs best guess on PM settings. Most of the time these are good, but occasionally some people need to have those settings tweaked. If you think your PM is causing you a problem, if it is just that you think something is amiss, let your Dr know, otherwise he will have no way of know everything is not perfect.

I wish you the best,

Smitty


hello

by electricmom - 2012-03-30 01:03:14

Its going to be great, today it had been 2 wks since I received my 1st pacemaker, i am 39 y/o.

I can only speak from my experience, but could have nothing to eat or drink after midnight, taken to a cardia short stay room told to put on one of those great gowns. They started a IV and drew some blood. About 30 min before I was wheeled down to the lab I was given a valum to relax me some. The room was VERY cold and they place electrodes all over, front and back and at least for me they taped down my breast and they taped down my arms. The RN's were very nice and explained every single step they made. My doctor came in and he explained everything one more time. The RN they said I am going to give you some medicine to take a nap and a hour and a half later woke up back in my room. I had my arm in a sling, the side the pacemaker was placed. I was not allowed out of bed for 2 hrs. My dr keeps his patients over night, during the evening I was give 3 IV antibiotics treatments. The following morning I went for a chest X-ray to ck the lead placement was ok and the pacemaker rep came and cked the settings. I did not have any stitches they used super glue type stuff. During entire time I only asked for pain medicine twice, and that was right after and that 1st evening. The first few nights at hm I wore the sling and it really did help. As far as pain Aleve is all I have had to take.

The frustrating thing for me has been not lifting my arm above my head and no heavy lifting for 1 mo. I have a young children as well.

As I said I am 2 wks out today and this is my 1st pacemaker, I totally understand that this is all very overwhelming, but in these 2 wks this site has been a god send!

I wish you nothing but the best and can't wait to hear a update from you about how great it all went :)

Sheila



P.S.

by electricmom - 2012-03-30 01:03:20

I should have brought this up as well, if possible were a button up shirt and your most comfortable bra (a front closure one if you have one). Lets just say I learned that the hard way ;)

Sheila

More info about your heart condition.

by donr - 2012-03-30 06:03:58

After your first post, Lizz, you have thrown a bit of sand in the gears. Enlarged heart, two leaky valves & 3rd degree block. I would say that what the others have told you is PROBABLY correct, but you may face some other considerations by the surgeon. Take the first three comments as truth & do not be surprised if your surgeon treats you a bit differently, depending on haw badly your valves & heart size affect your functioning.

Like everything else, everyone is different in the details in the end.

As far as "...having to be re cut open every so often, does it get harder or more painful as you have miltiple surgeries..." goes the time to ask about that is when you face it. Batteries last a long time, so it is not something you will think about at all after you become comfy w/ your new little buddy. Most of us will tell you that having a new Pm implanted to replace the battery is easier than the original surgery. They don't grub around in your veins or run the harpoon down into your heart to stab Moby Dick. They USUALLY cut along the same line; use the same pocket & sew you back up. I've been through that 3 times now in ten yrs - the original procedure; a lead replacement, and; a new battery. Same incision line. Next time they promised to insert a zipper to make it faster & easier. Scar looks no different or noticeable than after the first surgery.

One question popped into my mind - why are they scheduling you so far out for a 3rd degree block?

Recall that in response to your original post I commented that the worst part of the procedure was the waiting for the big day. That has not changed.

Don

A different take on it all...

by TLR - 2012-03-30 08:03:16

All the above is good advice but can I add one thing, and that is to maybe stop reading up so much on the procedures and get out and enjoy life away from the worry of it all.

It is easy to get almost obssessed with the ins and outs of what is going to happen and what is entailed but all you will end up doing is giving yourself panic attacks and stress related high blood pressure. You need to walk away from here and Google and get yourself out to the cinema, to the park with your child, go for a meal with family/friends, anything that will take your mind off it.

Limit yourself to maybe one hour per day on the computer doing research, etc, and spend the rest of your time trying to put it to the back of your mind.

If you are in need of a PM then is there really anything you can do about it? There is a time and place to get worked up about it, and from what I have read you seem to be getting pretty apprehensive.

It will all be ok in the end, so take some time for yourself.

I was 31 when I was diagnosed with 3rd deg Heart block and got my PM. I was lucky that I only knew about it a couple of hours before it went in, by which point my symptoms were really bad, because if I had known weeks before I would have been panicking too just like you are now. I managed to get back to work, albeit with quite a struggle with my employers, and had to manage with 2 beautiful young daughters and simpy living life. I did not have the luxury of being retired with time on my hands, having the option of registering disabled (which I am not anyway) or anything like that. I had no option but to get on with it. Its this "Man up or F*** off" attitude that I had that has given me my 'survivor' attitude to having a PM which I know a lot of people do not share (and has got me in trouble on here before hehe).

Its your life, you be the boss of it, you only get one chance at it after all. And if you need any advice send me a message if you wish and I'll be pleased to help any way I can.

Good luck and RELAX.

You will be fine

by bjbumblebee - 2012-03-31 12:03:19

I am 51 years old, I had my first pacemaker when I was 18. Approximately 3 weeks ago I had 3 leads extracted and 2 new leads and a new generator put in. After 9 days I was back to work full time. Throughout the years I have had many lead and generator replacements. It is always scary but they have been successful. In between I live a very normal life. You will be fine but you will be even better if you maintain inner strength, a positive attitude and a little faith. I wish you nothing but the best.

Bonnie

replacement

by Rodlyn - 2012-04-01 08:04:03

Relplacement is a snap! I'm on my third unit.

questions to ask

by ldebaugh - 2012-04-02 02:04:20

Hi Mamalizz,
My biggest frustration in getting a PM (2-10-2012) was that it didn't allow for my previous level of activity. Here are questions I now know I would have asked ahead of time if my situation weren't an emergency.

What will I be able to do after I recover? is the PM only a motion detector or will it sense my need for more umph when I'm picking up kids, etc.? (Not a lot of motion but the need to put out) Ask for the most responsive PM you can get.
What about my exercise? Currently I run/ walk/ treadmill (whatever you do) will the PM adjust so I can do the things I do now?
What kind of cardiac rehab to you recommend? Is my own routine (describe it) enough? What is the expected recovery for someone my age/fitness and general health?
Good luck! Hope you get out of it what you need and want.
M'Liz

Pacemaker

by Jennheart - 2012-04-16 08:04:48

hey mama, i am 24 years i have Complete surgical heart block and a leaky valve as well, i had a pacemaker since i was one month old. i been through quite a few. My last pacemaker surgery i was 16, the surgery was a success, i had some pain but i did the surgery in the summer, i didnt have to worry about school at the time, i went back to school in September though.

Don't lift your arm above your head! I agree with Sheila, bring a button down shirt with you!

I still have that same pacemaker, almost 8 years old, but i am going to be replacing it soon! hope this helps!

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