pace maker

[colin_neal]

I’m due to have a ICD/Pacemaker fitted on Friday 3rd February has anyone got any info or advice about the procedure Iam feeling quite anxious at the moment

[Hidden]

Dear Colin_neal

A warm welcome to the forum, I hope that it will help you with support and knowledge as it has me and many others.

Pacemakers, well you would have already been through loads of tests already for them to have got you this far and the recommendation of having a Pacemaker fitted, this is something that is not taken lightly and you would have had to reach all the required levels to be offered one.

Believe me you have gone through worse just getting to this point, you will be amazed how tight knit the Cath-lab team is and how smoothly you will pass along the conveyor belt of their day.

You can ask questions at anytime or remain quite and contemplating or any mixture of the both, you will be well looked after and each stage will be explained to you.

You will be given excellent medication that will help you relax and after a little pushing and pulling it will be all over.

You will be in the ward with one of the most incredible invention now apart of you, technicians will tell you all about it and set your Pacemaker up to your own personal settings.

Good luck with your fitting and please come back to tell us how it all went for you.

Mine not only saved my life but it continues to as I type this.

[colin_neal in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[BB99]

I had a bit of an issue during insertion of my device but I think it has helped me immensely for the past several years. The technicians at my local hospital know exactly what is happening to me every day.

[colin_neal in reply to BB99]

thank you

[Valentino1XXX in reply to colin_neal]

You are Most Welcome Colin.Regards

Michelle

[RufusScamp]

I had one fitted 3 years ago. It was no problem. The staff chatted with me all the way through, and I was home that evening. I accepted a sedative when it was offered, because I am rather nervous about such things, but I probably didn't need it.

You just have to be careful about lifting the arm for a few days, and you can't drive for a while, depending on what sort of device you have fitted.

I would recommend thinking about what clothes you take, that you can get your arm into easily.

It really is nothing to worry about, and will help you in the future. These days, there are remote monitors, so you don't have to go back as often to have it checked.

Best of uck - let us know how you get on.

[Stanley18]

Hi Colin

Please join our Pacemaker UK Facebook group if you’re not already a member. You’ll receive a warm welcome and lots of good advice from hundreds if not thousands of fellow pacers.

Good luck on Friday.. The day that I received my pacemaker was the day that I started to bounce back. I live a full life again because of it.

[Hidden]

Last March, I walked into the theatre at 3.20 and was home sat on my sofa by 7.45. It is an amazing invention and has changed my life. Every single one of the cardio team before, during and after have been incredibly.

Yes there is a bit of discomfort during the procedure but it is worth it all the way.

[colin_neal in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[BeeBee79]

Hi Colin,

I had mine fitted under sedation and whilst there was a bit of pushing and pulling, there is no pain. You can always ask for more pain relief and the sedation comes through again and you will be drifting off elsewhere

To be honest, the worst part was trying to sleep afterwards. I would invest in a v-cushion ahead of time to help you sleep on your back as it took a good few weeks for me to be able to sleep on my side and even now, 6 months on, if I spent too long on my left side it aches. Coincidentally, the day of your op is 6 months to the day I got mine fitted and I can drive again.

I hope everything goes well, I’m sure it will ❤️

[colin_neal in reply to BeeBee79]

thank you for the reassurance it really helps

[Homebhoy]

I had an ICD implant in September 2022. The procedure only took about 40 minutes and I was back home later that afternoon.

The initial few weeks are the hardest as you are very much aware of a foreign object being in your body, but after a while I no longer think about it.

I am more or less back to normal and have done some quite physical work with no problems.

Jsst give yourself time and follow the advice and I am sure all will be well.

[colin_neal in reply to Homebhoy]

thank you

[Valentino1XXX]

Good Morning Colin.I am due to have an ICD Implementation and my stunts blocked I am so scared.

With you all the way.

Regards. Michelle

[colin_neal in reply to Valentino1XXX]

thank you

[Nannysue1]

Hello. I had mine fitted end of September last year. You should be careful not to lift your left arm above shoulder level for 6 weeks, that's the hard part. Choose clothing that allows for this. I had mine at midday and was home by 6pm. The Cath lab staff were amazing as have been the pacemaker clinic. I'm the most nervous patient ever but found the whole proceedure fine. I also had an AV node ablation 6 weeks later and am now 100% dependent on my pm but the AF symptoms have gone ( although I'm still in AF) and life has improved dramatically for me. My heart beats regularly at 70bpm, its bliss. Good luck with yours.

[colin_neal in reply to Nannysue1]

thank you

[Beatle45 in reply to Nannysue1]

Can I ask how you are still in AF but your symptoms have gone ? I’m asking as I am having tests at the moment but I don’t know much about it all.

[Nannysue1 in reply to Beatle45]

Although the AV node is ablate, you continue to fibulate but the pacemaker takes over and controls the rate. I'm sure there is someone on here who can explain this better and more technically. If you're just starting your AF journey, its unlikely that this will be for you, at least for some time, as it's a last resort but for me, it's been a wonderful success.

[Beatle45 in reply to Nannysue1]

Thank you for that.

[Qualipop]

My friend's 88 year old husband had one fitted last year with no problems at all. He was home the same day ; had about a week of slight soreness where it was inserted. He has a monitor by his bed that does a check without him even knowing. If there's ever a problem the team phones him or he has immediate contact with them if he's worried about anything. APart from horrible stomach problems from his anticoagulant tablets he's been so much better.

[colin_neal in reply to Qualipop]

thank you

[Classof1988]

Colin, do not worry about the procedure as it well established and less painful than a trip to the dentist!

As others on the site have already said basically the only pain you will feel is the mild discomfort of the surgeon pressing down on your chest as they insert the device.

You will be introduced to the operating team who will explain the procedure then will be given local anaesthetic to numb the area. You will be awake and alert during the procedure - my surgeon was curious as to why I was in his hospital as I no longer lived in the area, and so I filled him in on my journey. We talked normally to each other while he worked.

After the procedure you will be able to rest (depending on the time you may have an overnight stay), once home you will just need to rest your arm to allow time for the wires linked to the battery to settle and become a normal part of your body. I found a cushion or pillow under my arm at night assisted, and I slept well without any real discomfort.

Again, dependant on your circumstances and previous history (did you ever pass out while awaiting surgery) you may be back driving a week after the op, that week allows everything to settle down.

You will then have a post op check at around four weeks and will have an annual check up to ensure the pacemaker is working well and to confirm the status of the battery - this takes around 10-20 mins if that and the test involves resting a monitor over your shoulder. This is totally painless and you get your results there and then.

[colin_neal]

thank you so much

[EMBoy]

Hi Colin,

All I can do is reiterate what everyone else has said, and wish you all the best. Not only will it save your life, it will give you a much better quality of life.

[colin_neal in reply to EMBoy]

thank you

[Faub]

Hello, I obviously don't know your story and your symptoms, but for me my pacemaker was my blessing. After my avr in October 2021 I ha done fitted literally two days later because of total heart block (my atria and ventricles would not sync) and I literally could not live and function without it as my heartrate would be all over the place.

The procedure is fairly smooth, about 1.5 hours, and the cath lab is more like an actual lab than an operating theatre. You'll drift off and wake up as a bionic man.

My scar still occasionally bothers me as it is right above my clavicle bone. But you get used to it

Good luck!!

Fabio

[colin_neal in reply to Faub]

thank you

[daveshop]

Hi Colin I've had my pacemaker about 2 years now as you can see by the comments hear it a great invention I wasn't to happy about having one when my heart didn't get back into rythum after having a new value fitted but as people say a bit uncomfortable for a while but I hardly think about it now just greatful I have one and iam able to carry on with my life good luck mate

[colin_neal in reply to daveshop]

thank you

[Bingo88]

I had a Pacemaker 3 years ago and not good with operations. But it was nothing to worry about. I didn't want sedation to be drowsy. I either wanted to be awake or asleep. The procedure took 90 minutes and was less traumatic than going to the dentist. Felt no pain at all. Just pressure and tugging of getting everything in place. Let's us know how it goes for you. Brian

[colin_neal in reply to Bingo88]

thanks will do

[Sanpedro2019]

I had mine fitted today .It went very well All the staff were Great ,ihad a icd fitted in 2019,this us a joint icd / Passmaker .A little painfully now but will keep you inlope

[colin_neal in reply to Sanpedro2019]

thank you

[Flyfishy]

Hi, had mine fitted 4 weeks ago. It was an experience but ok. The drugs you get take away the anxiety and the staff are the best. It will be fine and you are going to be yourself again. Best wishes.

[colin_neal]

thank you