Pacemaker recovery time

[Tux18]

Ten days ago I got a pacemaker as I was having pauses in heart beats. Guess I I thought I'd be back to feeling stronger than I do today. Can move about the house and do chores and walk about outside, but if I walk down the street for extended time I feel weak and tired. Still have Afib and some racing of heart but no more slow heart beats, which is good! Just wondering ... those of you who have had pacemaker how long it took you to feel more "normal". I'm in my 70's, active and healthy EXCEPT for the afib stufff.

[Hidden]

I'm no expert on pacemakers Tux but I have heard others say it can take a little while before they fine tune the settings to give optimum rate. Have you got a review appointment planned?

[Tux18 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, Friday. Guess we'll see what they say. Thanks for reply.

[BobD Volunteer]

Nothing is simple and the older we are the longer it takes. Be patient and don't push yourself.

[Tux18 in reply to BobD]

No doubt good advice, I'll sure try. Thanks for reply.

[bantam12]

I had my pacemaker put in about 8-9 weeks ago, I had a lot of pain for about 4 weeks and even now there is still some discomfort when I move my arm a certain way.

I was started on Bisoprolol day after for the Afib so it's taken me a while to get used to that but on the whole I feel ok now, I certainly don't have the energy I had before and I do get puffed out walking the dogs and doing housework but to be free of the pauses is amazing so I'm ok 🙂

I would say give it a good 4-6 weeks to recover and if the Afib is still a problem talk to your arrhythmia team.

[Tux18 in reply to bantam12]

Thank you so much for your reply as it is a big help. About the only thing the doctor says is don’t raise your arm above your shoulder for four weeks, you can drive after two weeks, but does not say much else about what to expect in recovery time. I suppose that’s because everyone’s different.

[bantam12 in reply to Tux18]

I was told a week for driving but actually I couldn't have driven then anyway as my shoulder was still way to painful, I think it was at least 4 weeks before I drove again. The procedure is quite brutal and the muscles need time to recover so do take it easy.

I had a horribly long pause this morning, first one since so that's disappointing, I should have had a pacing check 2 weeks but it's been postponed until end of July which is not good !

Good luck with your recovery, take care.

[opal11uk]

I had mine mine 3 years ago and it takes time to recover and build up your strength however once they get the pacing right and the drugs balanced all is well. I still take blood thinners because P/A/F caused me to have a stroke and I also take small doses of heart drugs morning and evening but I then went on to lose 5 stone and back to playing table tennis, exercise class and so on and I am 76 so get the balance right and you should be fine.

[Tux18 in reply to opal11uk]

Wow ! your message has given me courage this morning as I’m just so not myself right now. I’m 75 and am very active and independent, but this pacemaker procedure has kinda knocked me for a loop. I’ll hold on to hope after reading your reply. Blessings and a big thank you!

[opal11uk in reply to Tux18]

Your very welcome. These are difficult and frightening times for us all. The hospital needs to get your pacing right, mine is set at 60 revs lol which is right for my age apparently, once that is set then depending on what caused you to have the Pacemaker will determine what drugs you are given, again get the dose right and you will then be able to move forward and begin your life again. Having the Pacemaker has completely changed my life for the better and I am sure it will be the same for you. Good luck and keep the faith x

[Bigdan]

Yeah I'd agree and say 6 week to feel normal. Don't try to rush. No knowledge of the afib bit though. Stick in.

[Tux18 in reply to Bigdan]

This form is helping me to “stick in “as you said. Thank you so much.

[southerngirl]

I had the same pauses before pacemaker, and I'm 79. I felt better right away. They set my pulse rate at 70 beats per minute. I had the marvelous Medtonic pacemaker, with which I can even have a MRI. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms.

[Tux18 in reply to southerngirl]

Will do! Thanks!

[southerngirl]

Sorry, I think the name is Medtronic

[Teignfisher]

I had a pm fitted 3 years ago and it does take a while to settle down. You will no doubt have it adjusted shortly after your first check up . I went on to have the full pace and ablate procedure and I’m so glad I did. Take it steady and give yourself time and don’t be afraid to phone the Devices team if your not happy they are very helpful.

Good luck and stay well

[Tux18 in reply to Teignfisher]

Good advice I’m sometimes hesitant about contacting the doctor, but I will be sure to contact them things aren’t right. thank you very much.

[mullikg]

My AF started around 18 years ago and after going around in circles with the various treatments I had a Pacemaker fitted almost 4 years ago. After 6months the AF was back again and 2 years ago I had an AV Node ablation. Since then I have really felt good (touch wood). My experience with the Pacemaker and the AV Node Ablation was good I had little discomfort from the two proceedures and am hoping and praying that this continuues. I have not attempted to run round the world a couple of times and have been careful in whatever I do.

[Tux18 in reply to mullikg]

Happy to hear if your success! Always good to know ....gives hope. Thank you for your reply.

[Teignfisher in reply to mullikg]

Very sensible approach I too am so pleased with the pace and ablate procedure

[SingingT]

Hi, I had a pacemaker fitted last July for what seems the same reason as you. Feeling faint whilst in AF, ie having a block. I am over 70 and was fit and well before AF hit me. However, It took several months, after pacemaker implant, before I stopped feeling tired and lacking energy. I can honestly say that I now feel much better. It has taken time. It doesn’t stop AF but does stop the fainting and I now have the confidence to ride out any AF attack. As Bob advises, don’t push yourself and listen to your body. We have a disability and need to adjust our lives accordingly. Very best wishes to you.

[Tux18 in reply to SingingT]

I think that’s the part that has been difficult for me to except —having Afib for some of us at certain stages definitely can be a disability, that does not mean that I want to consider myself disabled , but need to learn to work around issues that come with it. Being patient with myself is not one of my virtues. But with the advice and information I’m getting I definitely will not give up and will try to adjust. Thank you for your help.

[CDreamer in reply to Tux18]

The 2 things you learn with AF - Patience and Pacing yourself - I was no good at either but I really value the lessons I have learned and it has certainly made me appreciate life but also to be kinder, more compassionate to myself first - which means I can also offer that to others. Changing circumstances means changing your thinking and expectations.

[Tux18 in reply to CDreamer]

Wonderful advice need to put it on my wall ... patience and pacing for myself , I have much less patience with myself than I do others. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

[Rubyray]

Hi Tux, I had a pacemaker implanted March 4,2019. I also take Flecainide and Metoprolol. I can report that the pacemaker doesn't let my heartbeat drop so low I pass out. That is what was happening to me. So I feel ok. I have only had one short AF since I got the pacemaker.

[Tux18 in reply to Rubyray]

That’s wonderful that your a fib seems better I’m not as often! Happy for you. Thank you for your reply

[Rubyray]

Oh, I am 81 years old.

[1275]

I got a pacemaker for bradycardia while I also had Afib three years ago. The pacemaker did its job fine but the Afib continued to be weakening until I got an ablation (and in my case a CPAP machine) 6 months later. For me, the weakness was from the Afib, not the PM.

[Tux18 in reply to 1275]

Since the pacemaker I believe I’ve had more than my fair share of a fib which doesn’t help with feeling stronger faster. Truly appreciate your reply

[CDreamer in reply to Tux18]

That may settle given time. You’ve had wires poked through your heart - no wonder it’s protesting! I now have virtually no AF but that took about 3-4 months to settle.

[CDreamer in reply to CDreamer]

PS - also use CPAP.

[Tux18 in reply to CDreamer]

I’ll cross my fingers and hope for better future with afib when it all settles!

[Tux18 in reply to 1275]

Since PM I’ve had an extra mount of a fib and that could be the reason I have been so weary at times since PM

Thank you for your response!

[CDreamer]

I guess it depends on your definition of ‘normal’, 6 weeks before I could drive, still got chronic fatigue for up to 6 months but that could have been down to a number of factors. I had a revision last June and I would say I am finally feeling more energetic. I monitor my sats and judge the before PM (sats low 90’s, fell to 88 frequently). Now sats 95 - 98 and I assume because my O2 is now normal most of the time is the reason for feeling so much more energetic.

The first 6 weeks I did virtually nothing but sleep so sounds like you are doing really well.

[Tux18 in reply to CDreamer]

Yes, I guess I am doing better than I realized compared to some. So good to hear that now you are doing well., thank you for your response.