Worry Wart Caregiver In need of 411

Hey guys, Thank you for sharing your experiences on here. My mother just had her pacemaker put in 2dys ago. She says she is feeling a little strange feeling in her chest and pain and discomfort where the generator was inserted. I've given her ice packs and gentle reminders about using her arm. She had encephalitis last year and is struggling with short term memory still. Any thoughts for me so I wont be such a worry wart? How much pain did you experience? How did it feel? What made you comfortable? (Id love to hear tips on clothing that works best, warm heat on back to relax tight muscles? Did you feel weak for awhile? What caused irritation? How soon did you resume a little activity. What did you find to be the greatest challenge? Can you tell me if your pacemaker required adjustments? Thank you and happy healing thoughts to you:)

3 Comments

Hi

by Jax - 2013-05-02 10:05:15

There is a certain amount of discomfort. I took extra strength tylenol when needed. She has to be careful of her arm ( the pm side). She should move it a little bit cause you don't want frozen shoulder. I found that blouses worked best due me. I did not wear a bra for the first 10 days...after that it was ok. What a wonderful person you are taking care of your mom I we t back to work after 2 weeks-- but only part time. I found the whole experience exhausting. She's really lucky.

Felt better with the PM

by geoff - 2013-05-03 05:05:31

I was constantly passing out, light headed and dizzy, and generally miserable before I got my PM. I thank The Lord everyday that these marvelous machines were invented because my quality of life has improved ten fold. The pain and discomfort for the first week or so was worth it. I am sure that your mom will get used to it, although it still feels strange when I feel it under my skin. Good luck.

Welcome to the club

by jeanlancour - 2013-05-03 12:05:52

A lot depends on how active your Mom was before. I was not very active as I had no energy, heart rate was 40 or below beats a minute, with the PM giving me 60 a minute I felt great. A little discomfort on site, aspirn took care of that, and I was strolling around the house on the 2nd day, down to the end of the block the next day. Remember we're all different, I'm 70 and do have quite a few other problems. I've had 3 0r 4 adjustments on the PM to fit it to me and my way of life, so keep a record of how your Mom is feeling and what makes her feel that way, climbing stairs, walking fast etc. This will help her EP make adjustments for her. She should move her arm and move her shoulder, not above her head but back and forth and roll the joint. A frozen joint is no fun. The greatest challenge is getting my children to remember I am the mom still, my heart and lungs are a bit defective but my brain still functions very well. To much babing can be a bad thing, a little is great. Good luck Jean

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