My Pace and Ablate Journey part 1

[Lymolass]

A few of you were interested , so here goes. No breakfast after 7.30 am. Checked in to non invasive cardiology unit at 11.30 for the pacemaker insertion, it seemed really quiet but they stagger admissions throughout the day. Usual round of questions, doctor appears with consent form but goes away again to speak to consultant as he could not answer my query as to whether this procedure would help my breathing (I have severe COPD). I was quite anxious not to proceed if it wasn’t going to help. The answer was yes, it’s worth doing because it will stabilise the heart rate, currently hovering permanently around 90-110 bpm and I won’t have to take beta blockers or digoxin for the rest of my life. But it won’t cure the permanent AF.

So off to surgery, having had usual pre med checks and the dreaded cannula/vampire port. Huge room with huge tv screen on wall, doctors perched behind a glass screen, a bit like referees. On to table, welcome sedative and local anaesthetic given via cannula. A kind of three quarters hood fixed over head and shoulders so I could see out to my right, but not to my left. Then doctor must have appeared as then felt lots of rummaging and pressure just below shoulder. Took about 20 mins but doc didn’t speak to me and had vanished by the time I was transferred back to my bed and the ward. They had done 10 of these that day, the nurse informed me, so guess he wasn’t feeling very chatty.

Felt wonderfully calm - thanks sedative. Despite the fact that it was a mixed ward. - and why is there always an old bloke in the bed opposite on his mobile shouting; “‘Hello Mate. I’m in hospital”?

Had a sandwich and a very welcome cuppa, even got pasta supper later. Lots of instructions on wound care and setting up the communicator device that looks like a modem and sits by the side of the bed.

Nurses lovely and. competent. Taken off for a chest xray. then allowed to go home around 6.30, local anaesthetic wearing off so beginning to be quite sore. But that’s first stage completed, bionic woman begins here! Will report tomorrow on any discomfort/limitations/restrictions..

[CDreamer]

Remember to not lift your arm!

Wishing you speedy recovery.

[Jalia]

Thank you for posting. As I have my pacemaker implanted in 4 weeks time I shall follow your journey with interest.

I'm having a CRT-P pacemaker and am told the procedure may take 2-4 hours although my arrhythmia nurse tells me that 90 mins is more usual.

Have you found any problems with clothing on the area .....I'm thinking particularly bra straps?

I hope this hood thing is not claustrophobia inducing??! (Expect the sedative will deal with that feeling ....)

Hope all goes well in coming days.

[CDreamer in reply to Jalia]

Find a bra without metal adjustments bars in the front of the bra as you don’t want metal touching the wound or over the implant. I found Rosa Faia make a brilliant bra with a tapered front wide strap and is most comfortable.

[Lymolass in reply to Jalia]

Thanks. I am extremely claustrophobic but didn’t have any problems, it’s a very loose stand away hood, not a close fit.

And re bras, Uniqlo do some super comfortable camisole tops with built in soft cups and they are perfect as go on over your head or step in. Left arm cannot go behind back!

[BobD Volunteer]

I tied my arm to my waist with a crepe bandage each night to stop my forgetting whilst asleep as I generally sleep on my side with arm above head,