Pacemaker

[Gundoglady]

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!

[Melleray]

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

[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 in reply to Gundoglady]

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

[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 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 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]

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 in reply to Fredders]

Thank you X

[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 in reply to Traceyma]

Thank you x

[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 in reply to Ab14e]

Thank you x

[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 in reply to SingerMan]

Thank you

[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 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 in reply to chainmail]

Hope you get everything sorted X

[Jessiebrown in reply to chainmail]

Hi ,my husband had a pm and node ablation because he was feeling unwell he has AF his heart rate is stable but he still feels terrible,he has been back once to have it checked and told the nurse how he was feeling so she tweaked it a bit but he still feels awful,he is so disappointed as everyone said he will like a new man but he is just the same as before he had it done, I can’t believe he hasn’t been contacted by his cardiologist to see how he is feeling it’s over a year ago now,I think be cause of COVID everyone else seems to be neglected

[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 in reply to not2worry]

Thank you

[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 in reply to Jill222]

Thank you

[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]

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!