Pacemaker

[DollyB2]

Hi

I am new here. I had a pacemaker inserted last Wednesday. I need a bit of help to clarify my doubts. I am doing well after the operation

[Andrew1966]

What are your doubts? I had a bi ventricle pacemaker fitted towards the end of Jan this year, best place I found for info was the pacemakers own web sights, even if it is a diff pacemaker to what you have, the main thing for me was I found out if you go into a zone which affects the pacemaker it goes into a factory setting and returns to your setting when you move away from that zone, this is confirmed on the Medtronic site along with a list of things which can affect it, the only problem I had was it started making me jump with a shock when lying on my side, this is because the lead was to close to a nerve but the has been corrected although not pleasant it is not harmful,

hope this is of help and good luck with your pacemaker

Andrew

[DollyB2 in reply to Andrew1966]

Thanks Andrew. It is useful to know.

[DollyB2 in reply to Andrew1966]

Thanks

[Andrew1966]

Also the BHF has a good booklet on pacemakers which is downloadable or hard copy

Andrew

[DollyB2 in reply to Andrew1966]

Thanks a lot. Very helpful

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

I've found lots of useful information on Pacemaker Club - pacemakerclub.com/

Hope that helps

[Funky_Uk]

Hi Dolly, I got my first pacemaker in 2007 and I have had my second since 2011. I am not 100% dependent. What are your doubts? You should be able to live quite normally even though its a bit scary at first. Once you have healed and had a bit of time to get used to it, it will just become a part of you and you won't really think about it as much.

Hope you heal nicely, take care, Tracey

[DollyB2 in reply to Funky_Uk]

Thanks Tracey

Very reassuring.

[Judithduckworth]

I'm reading the answers given to you because I think in the future I will be having a pacemaker fitted. So reading these will get my mind ready.

[Eadaoin]

I’ve had a pacemaker for 10 years. Was very conscious of it for a few weeks (just as well as I had been advised to be careful) then I forgot all about. Felt it when I lay on my left side in bed but soon got used to that. No prob with driving once the DVLA letter came back saying I had to keep up with pacing checks and inform them if there were any changes. Give yourself time and maybe contact Medic Alert to get an engraved bracelet or something similar with your details on. That made me feel more confident. Their number is 01908 951 045

[DollyB2]

What about sleeping on your left side .

[Kimkat]

Hi, I also had a pacemaker fitted 3 weeks ago but had a loop recorder taken out at the same time, so I have two scars. The loop scar is fine, a very small mark that is healing nicely but my pacemaker scar is very lumpy and I can still feel a sting and soreness in that area which is really uncomfortable, i am constantly aware of it and can find nothing to wear that doesn’t rub it, including my bra strap that sits on the edge of the pacemaker. I have started to put scar gel on it now even though it’s painful to apply, I’m hoping it will help to soften the tissue. By the way, I’ve had quite a few operations with no scar problems at all.

[DollyB2 in reply to Kimkat]

Thanks to Kimkat. It is nice to hear each ones experience. For me today 27th day after the pacemaker insertion. I do not have any problems and I can use my left arm. I can also sleep on my left side. I did not yet had any check up. I am due to see them second week of June. I am anxious that no checks done and I am not sure whether it is working or not. I am hoping everything is ok. My incision is healed well.

[Kimkat]

Yes my check up isn’t until June also anc it is an anxious time. I’m toting with the idea of going back to the clinic for them to look at my scar as it’s very lumpy and as I said before very sore. I normally cope with pain well but this is bothering me. The scar isn’t overly red or weeping, just big lumps of hard tissue, not a good look especially for a woman and with the summer on its way.

[Su51zye in reply to Kimkat]

My scar was like that at first and took it’s time to heal but now you can’t even see where it was. Before and after pics

Photo of before and after pacemaker scar

[Su51zye in reply to Kimkat]

You can’t even see where the scar was

After scar from pacemaker

[Kimkat in reply to Su51zye]

That’s a really good scar and I have to say it seems like a better way of cutting into the muscle, my scar is more horizontal and my pm is quite raised which means I catch it sometimes and at 3 years down the line it’s something I’ll have to live with. I’ve had two partial thyroidectomies and the scars aren’t as obvious as my pm scar.

[Kimkat in reply to Su51zye]

Here’s my pics, as you can see mine is quite ‘open’ looking which is probably because I’m quite heavy busted. My scar was glued, I think stitches or clips are better.

Normal light

[Su51zye in reply to Kimkat]

Ouch that does look sore, yes I think the clips are better, I had my first pacemaker fitted 12th dec 2020 but by Xmas eve I had to have another which was a shock, so considering I was cut twice in same place, it’s doing well now. Mine is more under my arm than yours

[Kimkat in reply to Su51zye]

Yes, mine is quite prominent and is raised so you can see it, yours looks great

[Kimkat in reply to Su51zye]

This morning

Normal light

[DollyB2]

Thanks a lot. I hear some people are checked in two weeks time. Sorry to hear about the discomfort. Hope things will get sorted soon. Give them a ring.