Pacemaker Placement

Hi,
I've been reading this site for the past three months after I was suprised to find out I have 3rd degree heart block. I am scheduled to receive my pacemaker this coming Wednesday (and I am terrified). I had myocarditis which is resolving (or for all pratical purposes resolved according to my dr's) and we were waiting to see if it would clear up the block, which it didn't. I'm not having any symptoms, heart looks fine according to echo's, MRIs, etc. There is a chance that it is congenital and my hard just figured out how to deal with it. But now that I know I'm tired of living in fear and I'm ready to move on with my life.

My dr. put me in contact with another woman my age (34) today because I was feeling so anxious. I was planning on putting my pacemaker right under the skin to help with the healing time, but after talking to this other woman she recommended putting it under the muscle. She said the healing time is a little longer, but only by a few days. I didn't think I cared much about it showing, but as I get closer I think maybe I do care. I also have a hard time seeing things in my body. When I was in labor with my first child I did it without pain medication but had to be induced, and honestly looking at the IV stuck in my arm bothered me more than the labor pains.

I'm curious what others did in terms of placement and how the recovery was. Thank you so much!

5 Comments

pacemaker

by Workjunkey - 2012-10-15 02:10:47

I am 53 and female. I had a pacemaker implanted on Sept 4 under the muscle. To me the healing time didn't seem long. The scar is minimal I was scared also. The best thing I can tell you is relax. The worry was worse than the actual implantation.

29 year old

by Mtullier113 - 2012-10-15 04:10:03

Hi, today makes my third week of having a pacemaker, which is also underneath the muscle. I was pretty scared with the surgery so much that I ended up with anxiety, but I have to say they gave me enough drugs to knock me out so I didn't feel a thing. I play a lot of softball and didn't have much skin to play with where the pacemaker has been placed. I can see a small outline more so by the top of the generator, but my skin and muscle is very tight there too. Theres also a heavy feeling there, and feels like my muscles contract at times. Not sure if that is normal. I go see my dr. for the first time after surgery this friday. If you like you are more than welcome to message me as well and I can tell you more on what the dr has said. My recovery has been ok, I'm ready to test this thing out on the softball field though!
Good luck,
Mary

40 year old

by ChristieD - 2012-10-15 07:10:29

I just got my PM 9/19/12 and my doc also placed it under the muscle. I'm very active and he said it would be a better spot because of my age and activity level. He also said the ones placed just under the skin have a possibility of migrating where the ones under the muscle create more of a "pocket" so less chance of movement.

I will say the recovery has been a bit harder than I anticipated for such a relatively small incision but its getting better. I was able to start running again last week and this week was able to wear my t-back sports bras without too much discomfort in the incision area

Mtullier113, I have the same feelings of heaviness and the feeling that the muscles are contracting that you described. Must just be part of the healing. Ice seems to help.

For me....

by ohiolaura - 2012-10-15 08:10:14

Im 49,female.Have PM on left(im a righty),and under muscle also.The scar isnt bad at all,and I can say I can see an outline and feel the PM a bit,and its under the muscle.It's not invisible,but not screaming that its there either.
Being (youngish),and fit,thought the surgery would be a breeze,but it was a bit different that that.Surgeon said to myself and family since I am the age that I am and have good tight muscletone that she had to really work to make a pocket for the PM and when she closed me up,really pulled the sking tight since the skin was already firm.Its a bit over 3 months and its all good.
Just thought being in good shape would be easier but in fact it was a bit different,like I said though it is a little visible but not alot,just think its the only way it could be.
This wasnt planned for me,but its all good now.Recovery wasnt as easy as I thought,having 2 kids,1 was a c-section,this was different.
More emotional than physical,for me atleast.
You can message me if youd like.
Laura

buried

by Tracey_E - 2012-10-15 10:10:17

Mine is buried also. I love it!! Healing was a bit longer but not bad. I got by on tylenol after the first couple of days. Seatbelts and bras never rub. Most bathing suits and tank tops cover the scar (not that it's that visible, but still!). I love to hike, so it's important to me to be able to carry a heavy backpack and not worry about the straps rubbing. I have to poke around to even feel the edges of it so it's easy to forget it's there.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide to do! I got my first one at 27. I'm 46 now, healthy and active.

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