PM change Aug 19th

Hey. Just wondering if any of you had a PM change yet? Im booked in for mine on the above date n im terrified. If any of you have had this done can you put my mind at rest please? Their not changing my leads just the PM but any form of procedure scares me lol - any help and advice would be great!

Marcia xx

6 Comments

p.s.

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-08 07:08:13

I usually take it slow for a week or so after, but the soreness is really minimal and nothing at all like the first time. Last change, I had it done on Friday and went to Key West on Tuesday. Had to stay off the waverunners (stitches, boo hoo) but got some good food and shopping in.

Hi Marcia,

by Gellia2 - 2008-08-08 07:08:17

I had my 7th change last year. It was the easiest by far (new surgeon). I went in at 7a.m. and was out of there on my way home by noon. My husband stayed the whole time until I actually went into the OR and was there when I got back. I had a light anesthetic called propofol and it worked great!
They make an incision right over your old scar, pop out the used PM and disconnect the leads (you are monitored the whole time). Your leads are tested to make sure they are OK and then hooked back up to a brand new PM. Pop it back in, in my case glue me back up, and off to the room where my DH was waiting. It took less than an hour. He was amazed. We left for home about two or three hours later and I was making our lunch at 2 (We live two hours away from the hospital). I was a little bit sore (Surgeon had to do some scar removal and move the PM a bit) but nothing a Tylenol couldn't handle. That was it!
I can't tell you not to be afraid. ANY surgery is frightening. But, like the rest of us can tell you, this is not a big deal in the scheme of things. You'll do SO well you'll be amazed that you worried at all.
Go with NO FEAR. You'll be so fine!
Best to you.
Gellia

easy!

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-08 07:08:43

I've had three now. If I get an early morning appointment, I'm home fixing my own lunch. It's really easy because they go in the same place and open up the same pocket- no new tissue, just cutting through old scar tissue.

I asked for a zipper but they said no LOL

Gellia and Tracy :)

by Freshfemale - 2008-08-08 08:08:08

Thank you so much for replying. i do feel lots better. I just get scared. I was originally told my type of PM would last 10-15yrs by my pacemaker technician. Ive only had this one for 6 yrs, would have been 7 in December. I think im worrying more as it hasnt even lasted the ten yrs they said it would.

Thanks again for replying ladies. Means alot :) xx

10 is a looooong time

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-08 08:08:44

7 years is about right, unless you don't use it much or have one of the really big ones. I'm surprised they'd tell you 10-15. I've had 5 years out of 2 of mine and 7 years out of one. I have an impeded lead, so I'm only expecting 3 out of this one. I chose to keep the bad lead last time I got a new battery since battery changes are so easy.

ten IS along time

by Freshfemale - 2008-08-09 11:08:51

Hi TraceyE If you look on the main message page i have copied and pasted a webpage stating that PMs last ten to fifteen years. Imnot sure if its different here in the UK but ten to 15 is wot i was told when i first had it inplanted. :)

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