Pacemaker fitted tuesday

[Eve164]

Hi everyone I am new to the forum have had a fib for 5 years started on sotalol ok then bisprolol now having pacemaker and av ablation in 6 weeks time. Worst part of pacemaker op was the local anaesthetic very painful under collarbone. Dr doing it talked to me whole time telling me what he was doing and kept me calm.. Still in some pain but to be expected. Bit of a bummer not being able to drive for a month. But always taxi cabs. Now will worry about ablation. How was it for others.

[Hidden]

Hi Eve. I'm in the US and had a Pacemaker inserted in 2016-after being diagnosed in 2011 (am 75). I also had an AV node ablation -they do it at the same time here in the US.

I am doing very well and have been able to get off all cardiac meds. So am happy I did it though in the beginning it can be rough. I only take furosemide. I elected to have a Watchman device inserted in early 2018 . This enabled me to stop taking anticoagulants. Happy about that also. I really hate all the meds we tend to find ourselves on as we get older. Some are necessary but I believe many are not and cause more problems than they help.

I do want to say how important it is to follow the instructions re no driving, no heavy lifting, etc. It's hard esp when we begin to feel like we can do more.

BUT there is a very good reason for following these instructions as well as possible. The less you use muscles that move your chest around the better your pacemaker implant will be able to heal in place-tightly and with less wiggle room from too much movement.

In the long run having a stable well-implanted lead(s) will mean better pacemaker function and less chance of problems. I didn't even raise my arms above my head to dry my hair. It's worth limiting movement your doctor advises to have a well-placed, well healed pacemaker and lead in the long run.

Hard to be inactive I know. I hope your pacemaker and ablation works as well as mine. VERY happy I did it and I had so many problems with meds and side effects that I don't have to deal with now.

I love my pacemaker. We are close friends and his name is Seymour. LOL🐱

Take care. irina1975

[Eve164 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Irina that has me hopeful for future.

[Hidden in reply to Eve164]

😊

[S11m in reply to Hidden]

The Atrial lead on my first pacemaker got out of position - and I think it was that that lead to me being in a power-chair for about half a decade... but they fitted and additional lead when the replaced the pacemaker... and I am "OK" now.

[Hidden in reply to S11m]

Sometimes it happens but I'm happy you are doing better now. xx irina