I’m having a pacemaker inserted next week and just wondered on recovery time etc.

[Sally_Scott]

How did you feel after it? We’re you able to stop drugs?

[CDreamer]

I just posted a reply to you on the previous thread. I stopped anticoagulant the morning of the procedure and resumed again the same evening and they were the only drug I took for heart.

Depends upon why you are having a pacemaker and what sort of pacemaker it is as to drug therapy afterward. Some people have a PM inserted so that they are able to take Beta Blockers as without their PM, their HR would go too low.

Felt fine immediately afterwards because everything is done under a local anaesthetic so nothing no GA or sedation to recover from but obviously there is both physical and psychological trauma and for me, that makes me tired so expect to need a bit of R&R for a few days afterwards. I had the procedure at about 1.30 and home by 8p,m that evening. My husband was kept in overnight for observation when his was implanted but that was simply because he was 80+ and recovering from cancer treatment. He was out by 10.00am following morning.

Hope that helps.

[Sally_Scott in reply to CDreamer]

I’m having it because the last 3 years I’ve suffered with persistent Afib. I’ve had cardioversions. Ablation that I had a stroke during procedure. At Xmas had heart failure (in Afib) and fluid on the lung). Whilst in hospital they gave me another cardioversion. I also have mitral valve regurgitation. I’m hoping the pacemaker can give me a better quality of life. I’ve been told I’m having the nodes burnt off? Or something which basically means if the pacemaker stops so will I.

[CDreamer in reply to Sally_Scott]

Hi Sally - ok so sounds like you are having Pace and Ablate.

You may want to ask if you are having ReSynchronisation Therapy Pacemaker which paces both ventricles rather than just 1.

I can only speak for myself but mine has significantly improved my QOL, so much so that I don’t go ahead with the AV node ablation so although my pacemaker is pacing me 98% of the time, I still have some electrical conductivity which means I can still go into Tachycardia but that is very occasional and can live with that. I couldn’t live with any of the drugs.

Having the AV node Ablate will not leave you entirely PM reliant, your HR may go very slow but you will have enough time to call for emergency help and PM’s failure is practically unheard of and they will monitor your PM very, very carefully. Mine is now monitored via an app on my smart phone. Battery life is now 10-15 years so please be reassured although it sounds really extreme, it’s not quite as bad as it sounds and you will have lots of support and reassurance from the physiologists at the PM clinic which will look after you.

You won’t have the AV node Ablate until everything is checked out and found to be working correctly and your wound has healed.

Just be aware that this may not stop your AF because the chaotic signals in the atria may still cause you to feel palpitations but your HR will be regulated by the PM so your pulse will be stable and it should mean a big reduction in your symptoms, certainly worked for me.

Best wishes and let us know how you get on.

[Sally_Scott in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you sooo much for all of this info and help. I’ve got my pre assessment this Friday so will ask if I’m having a resynchronisation TP. Thanx again honey x

[Sally_Scott in reply to CDreamer]

Was just thinking of something you put in your post to me. If with a pacemaker you can still have Afib, how do they get you out of it (persistent afibber) they can’t do a cardioversion with a pacemaker in so how do they stop it? X

[CDreamer in reply to Sally_Scott]

They don’t but as it won’t affect your HR as your pulse will remain stable so you won’t be as symptomatic- thus improving your QOL.

AF/AFL is in the top chambers of the heart the Atria. I think of it like a starting motor - the atria prime the big pumps - the ventricles. The symptoms of AF come from the rogue electrical signals going through to the ventricles so they also get out of sync & go too fast. Cut the connection between the atria & the ventricles and you can then pace the ventricles so they don’t also go haywire but the atria can do what they like. The big pumps can then do their work effectively, Independant of the Atria.

My own experience was that as soon as the PM was working, AF apart from a couple of short episodes was a distant memory. Hope that you have a similar excellent outcome.

[bantam12]

It's a fairly rough procedure especially for women who are on the slim side with no extra padding in the shoulder area ! I had severe bruising afterwards which was quite painful, took about 8 weeks to sudside. I started Bisoprolol after and stayed on Apixaban, I went back next day for another X-ray and pacing check.

You will have to be careful for 6 weeks with your arm and shoulder but I was able to carry on much the same as before, I didn't drive for about 3 weeks as it made my shoulder hurt.

Good luck, hope it goes well 🙂

[Sally_Scott in reply to bantam12]

Luckily I’m overweight then methinks.

[bantam12 in reply to Sally_Scott]

Forgot to say get some easy comfortable clothes to wear for a few weeks and bras with soft wide straps as anything tight on the area will be uncomfortable, I bought Sloggi and M&S cami tops.

[274-]

Coming off the meds wasn’t a good experience, Bp was high and heart rate was fast , I felt ill to be honest but my cardiologist told me this was all normal.Things have settled now but still get tired and can still feel some lumps and bumps , but overall things are good ..

[Clarrie]

I had a pacemaker fitted last June as I was passing out when returning to NSR. I still get AF every 7-10 days lasting 36-48 hours with a HR of 140 and my dose of Sotalol was increased to 120 mg twice daily. I feel the AF starting and take an extra tablet but after that don't really notice it unless I am lying down.

[Sally_Scott in reply to Clarrie]

So what happens when you’re lying down?

[Clarrie in reply to Sally_Scott]

I can feel my heart beating fast.