what to expect the first six weeks

• by iheartemh
• 2013-08-24 03:08:10
• Surgery & Recovery
• 1497 views
• 1 comments

So, is the a user unfriendly site or what? I've tried everything to respond to the replies I received from my post yesterday. Kathy, thank you (and others) for your response and concern. I am 65 years old, and I thought I was in pretty good health except for my low heart rate. A new medication caused so many side effects that my primary decided he could no longer wait and referred me to a cardiologist. This lead to a stress test, heart cath, and wearing a zio heart monitor for one week. The monitor indicated I had heart rate as low as 38 bpm and as high as 223. Therefore, I was given just under one week to prepare for my pacemaker implantation. I have a dual chamber St. Jude model. I didn't get a chance to inquire why my doctor didn't consider one of these new models that can be turned off briefly to allow for MRI testing in the future. I did ask if they would be using the newish kind of "bag" to place the PM in that emits various antibiotics. I was told my doctor would be using the same methods he has been using and that the infection rate is very low. I did express my concern since I have RA and I am on two immune-suppressing medications. However, only two days before actual surgery. I have been doing quite well, and tried to maintain a reasonable activity level since my release from the hospital. All of this is why I was consider to suddenly be getting the sharp throbbing pain just above my PM, which is on my right side. At least, I thought it wasn't caused by a problem with my heart. I was told it possibly is the "healing factor" and may be nerve endings and/or scar tissue causing this. So far, it only lasted off and on for about three or so hours. Of course, it could return, and if so, I am to try an ice pack (or warm compress if that feels better), just like one would do for a muscle pain. I guess what I wanted to hear is any aches, pains, or other things that some of you may have experienced. I still "feel" this PM in me and it feels as though my skin is tightly stretched over it making it feel as though my clothing is tight (which it is not). In the meantime, I intend to move around and function to the fullest extent I am capable of doing. I was reminded not to lift my elbow above my shoulder and to be careful of lifting more than ten pounds. However, from how all was explained before and after the surgery, I had assumed I'd be able to do whatever I wished without such restrictions. I feel as though they do not wish to tell the real truth!