It is now a week since the PM was implanted. Somehow I had the idea that it would be a simple procedure which I would quickly recover from, but that has not been my experience. I have had 5 ablations so I know how it feels after that, but this week has been a complete surprise to me.
There is the obvious discomfort of the wound, which really throbbed when I got out of bed in the morning. (incidentally found a good way to keep my arm down while asleep - wear a thickish bangle bracelet and thread the cord from the front of pj's you are wearing through it, works well!)
But I did not expect the absolute exhaustion . I slept 14 hours on one night! But my GP said it is trauma and I must give myself time to recover.
The wound itself is okay, and although it is a bit lumpy, I guess it will improve.
Tried to tell the DVLA online, but it was a nightmare and so asked them to send me a form.
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Melleray
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Thanks for replying Jo. I can see that you completely understand and it is helpful to know that it is not just me who has had this reaction to the surgery.
Hi Melleray, I would imagine that this is quite an uncomfortable recovery.
I do hope you get to feeling normal-ish soon. Meanwhile don't be afraid to spoil yourself for a little while ( or a long while if you can get away with it....) And do keep us informed of your recovery and the planned ablation part.
I can’t identify with this. I recovered quickly from my PM insertion when I was 62, although it was removed at 2 months because of sepsis. Could your exhaustion be something to do with the way your PM has been programmed? I know initial ventricular rates are often set higher and dropped at review. How many wires do you have?
It is dual wire. But I guess my own heartbeat is operating at the moment as I have not had the AV node ablated yet. I have read that others have considered it an easy procedure, so this is why I have been taken by surprise. But, it was a bit of an ordeal at the time, took twice as long as it should and I was given a lot of sedative and morphine, but that was a week ago. Apparently the pacemaker clinic is running 6 weeks late, so I will have the device checked at the same time as the AV node ablation.
Ah, I was under the impression that the initial rate is commonly set to 80, and some have found this difficult to adjust to. If your resting heart rate is unchanged, then I guess the PM has been set to the standard long term rate of 60, or has not been switched on. However I suspect my pacemaker back in 2010 was less sophisticated than yours, and I may be out of date.
Hi Shirly, thanks for your message. I'm sorry that you have had a difficult time with your PM. I now realise that many other too, have had these problems.
Next day after PM fit it will be a bit tender for a few days and odd having a hard lump in your shoulder area that can feel psychologically unnatural. However it does get better Just remember not to raise your arm above the shoulder for several weeks as you say about your method that seems to work or even drive for four weeks.
I’m six months on with mine and it throbbed the next day and got less daily (paracetamol helped) and don’t know it’s there anymore but I too, still feel exhausted, and not sure if it’s all the meds, my diabetes, or what, there are days I could sleep all day. I too got DVLA to send forms and returned them filled out same day and within three weeks, they were okay with everything as I already have a restricted licence because of my Type1 diabetes. You were correct to inform them.
It's all a lot more involved than I first thought. I think that as HappyJo says above, the medics release you from hospital, but there is still a lot more recovery to do at home. I am allowed to drive from yesterday, but I won't because I really don't feel able to move my arm enough yet. Best of luck with yours
I had quite a bit of pain from my pacemaker, especially when I went to bed -- it would shift position and PULL on me from the inside. I realized it was because my breast was so heavy and really pulled that whole area down when I laid down. I solved this problem by finding just the right-sized stuffed animal, and sticking it under my breast to hold the breast up and in place. Worked like a charm. This pain finally stopped after about 4 months, and now after 8 months I have no pain from it. It does continue to move around tho -- when I lay down the pacemaker shifts position and even kinda sticks out an inch or more at the top, but there's no pain anymore. So just hang in there! It will go away. I am very comforted knowing that it's there helping me prevent further cardiac arrests -- so it's worth a little pain anyway.
Hi Goldey, thanks for your reply. Yes, sleeping at night was very difficult at first, but I went down your path and found a little soft cushion which was just right for tucking under the breast area. You say you had pain for 4 months - goodness, here am I complaining after only 9 days! Well, at least you feel better now and so I am encouraged by that, and yes, it must be a great peace of mind knowing you have something to help you now. Good luck with it all. PS My daughter has started calling me 'a warrior', and I think that goes for all of us!
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First Pacemaker Check Up/PAF
One week on….
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