Pacemaker: I'm 10 days post pacemaker... - British Heart Fou...

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Pacemaker

Gundoglady profile image
23 Replies

I'm 10 days post pacemaker being fitted.

Can anyone tell me what to expect at my first appointment with the pacing clinic?

I'd just like to be prepared, I hate doing/going anywhere new without knowing roughly what to expect!

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Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady
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23 Replies
Melleray profile image
Melleray

Hello - I am having a PM fitted in 10 days. Am feeling very nervous about it. How did you find it?

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to Melleray

My first one was cancelled, so had to wait another two weeks, so my meds could be sorted ( I'm on warfarin)

So to some extent I was prepared.

Apparently due to the fact that my heart problems are congenital, my veins are weird!

The veins that the surgeon used went up in to my neck first, then dropped down sharply, with a 90° angle! Which made it very difficult to get the wires through.

Having said this, it meant the op took a bit longer than normal, but recovery has been pretty straight forward. No issues, other than the normal, not lifting arm above shoulder etc etc. No driving for a week, not allowed to get the wound wet for 10 days ( I had my first shower today!!)

I've been going out for walks ( sadly can't take my dogs at the moment! )

But, I feel so much better X X so definitely worth it x

Hopefully yours will be more straight forward than mine, and you'll be feeling better in no time Xgood luck x

Melleray profile image
Melleray in reply to Gundoglady

Thank you and pleased to hear you are making a good recovery. I bet that shower felt good! x

Traceyma profile image
Traceyma in reply to Melleray

Hi melleray i had my pm fitted 20 weeks ago and wanted to reassure you it was a very straightforward procedure whuch took about 45 mins. I went home at teatime on the same day. The hardest thing about it is remembering not to move your arm about for the first couple of weeks but 20 weeks in i forget about my pm most of the time. Good luck and let us know how you get on

Melleray profile image
Melleray in reply to Traceyma

Thank you Traceyma - such reassuring words. They have warned me about puncturing my lung during the procedure and that it would be 'very uncomfortable', so that has added to my anxiety. But fingers crossed. Good to hear you are doing so well.

Traceyma profile image
Traceyma in reply to Melleray

They told me that also but its highly unlikely to happen. My consultant said that due to the local anaesthetic that even if it did happen you probably wouldnt be aware of it. Good luck x

Fredders profile image
Fredders

Hi, nothing to worry about. They pop a little gizmo over your pacemaker (over your clothes so no stripping off!) and then read off what it has been doing since it was fitted, how many times it’s fired etc and if necessary they can tweak the settings. I had my second check up at 3 months and they adjusted my maximum pacing as it had been set very low and I was getting very breathless at the slightest exertion. Had my 6 month check up last week and everything working ok. Appointment takes about 10-15 mins.

I know what you mean about being prepared, I’m exactly the same, hate going anywhere new especially on my own.

Wendy

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to Fredders

Thank you X

Traceyma profile image
Traceyma

Hi gunlady. I had my pm fitted 20 weeks ago and i can reassure you the check at the pacing clinic was very straightforward. I was only in about 10mins. They use a monitor which goes over your clothes which reads the data from your pm. Good luck

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to Traceyma

Thank you x

Ab14e profile image
Ab14e

Hello gun dog lady had my pm for 8years so had lots of appointments it is very straightforward and no removing any clothes .Adjustments are made and all over in few minutes . Good luck for the future my pm changed my life for the better and after a few weeks you will forget it's there

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to Ab14e

Thank you x

SingerMan profile image
SingerMan

Hi Gundoglady, nothing to worry about. Had my pacemaker in July and first check a month later. Next one in January then drop down to annual. The check up takes 10 to 15 minutes. A specialist nurse will put what looks like a largish but heavier computer mouse over where the pacemaker is. They then take readings from that on a laptop (thing) where they can see how much the pacemaker has been used, and the estimated remaining battery life. They will then push the pacemaker rate up and down to check its ok and also to see if you notice the changes. They will then discuss any changes they wish to make with you and then make the adjustments, agree the timing of the next check up and thats it. For me it was then a cup if tea and a kitkat in the hospital cafe and a drive home 🙂

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to SingerMan

Thank you

chainmail profile image
chainmail

I had pm fitted because of low heart rate which was found at pre op for hip replacement, always had low heart rate. Never had any problems. Felt awful after. It was set at bottom rate 50 bpm. After 6 weeks went for appointment told them I felt terrible.So they switched of. Back middle 40 bpm.Bloody thing stuck in chest cannot be taken out. Although still have AF that has been forgotten by hospital. So has hip replacement. Departments totally disconnected . Chasing it all up by myself.Do not know where I am any more.

Melleray profile image
Melleray in reply to chainmail

Oh dear - that sounds like a nightmare. You need to keep pestering them until they arrange an appointment for you. Best wishes with it all

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to chainmail

Hope you get everything sorted X

not2worry profile image
not2worry

My hubby had his implanted and the recovery was amazingly uneventful. Sleeping was a bit of a problem at first-they want you to keep your head elevated for a week - 2 pillows did the trick but you have to stay on your right side.

We found that the easiest way to not raise your left arm above your shoulder was wearing a long sleeved button down shirt and then either take safety pins and pin the sleeve to the shirt side or sew the sleeve with a few stitches to the side of the shirt. If you try to raise your left arm you get a reminder not to raise.

The first night they will instruct you to wear the sling they put on you after the procedure.

My hubby debated about having the procedure and now he wishes he would have done it sooner.

God Speed

Yours from Across the Pond

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to not2worry

Thank you

Jill222 profile image
Jill222

Hi

Just as previous replies check up straight forward. Just pop a magnet over the pacemaker and take readings on the computer. They can then adjust accordingly. After some time you will probably be given a device to use at home. Sends info wirelessly to the hospital so they can monitor you without being there. I pace 100"% and feel pretty good

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady in reply to Jill222

Thank you

Serg12 profile image
Serg12

Nice question, thanks for asking it. I go in for one in a fortnight and now know what to expect later. Thanks to responders for keeping us PM newcomers informed.

AliceAnnie profile image
AliceAnnie

I had my pacemaker fitted in June and, like you, was anxious about what to expect at the pacing clinic. As others have said, the heavy belt was draped around my shoulders and a computer used to read results. The heart rate was increased - I was alarmed when I felt my heart racing but was reassured by the staff that they were turning the rate up and then down. I was there about 10 minutes. I forgot to ask if or how often it was working but queried this afterwards. I was surprised to learn that it was not intermittent as I'd thought but working all the time and I have third-degree heart block. I'm very lucky!

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