Pacemaker

[Superdreamer]

I had a pacemaker fitted on the 27/11/22 no problem at all. When the procedure started their was lovely nurse by my side telling me to relax and she said she was going to give me a gin and tonic I asked for a double. Even though I think I was awake the whole time l can't remember a thing about the actual procedure. I hope this is useful.

[Hidden]

Nicely put Superdreamer,

Im sure it will be a comfort to others that are having the procedure done, my experience was very similar, I sort of drifted in and out in a dream state during my time on the table.

but unfortunately no Gin & Tonic offered to me !

Keep well

[samui4611 in reply to Hidden]

Same as myself,simple procedure,awake all the time,talking to the nurse ,and the surgeon.also had the box replaced,after ten years,no problems .

[Bobkins99]

Me too. Had mine done under a local at Basingstoke in 2017. Bit of pushing and pulling and I was awake the whole time but didn't really have any pain or discomfort. Sore for a few weeks after the procedure as the wound healed but no other problems and can't praise the cardio unit at Basingstoke highly enough as I also recently had Endocarditis and a resulting trip to the Brompton for a Mitral valve repair, which wouldn't have been spotted if Basingstoke hadn't done a TOE

[Alison_L in reply to Bobkins99]

Ugh, the TOE. I found that far worse than the ICD implant or any of the 3 angiogram/plasties I've had. I needed enough G&T to drop a horse for that one!

[ParrotLover22 in reply to Alison_L]

Aww I agree with you Alison lol 😂. Didn't like that one at all!!

[Czech_Mate]

Yes, pacemaker fitting went OK for me last May. Only had some sort of local anaesthetic and my chest just felt rather tight. Nothing like the butchering sessions I had experienced at the dentist the year before to have teeth implants fitted. There was some light hearted (😉) banter with the surgeon throughout. When he explained about the stitches he was putting in I remember suggesting perhaps a zip might be more appropriate.😏Necessary to be careful for a few weeks while it settled in, but I don't notice it much now.

[66666]

Hi, I had mine done in 2020 and was awake the whole time, and had a full on conversation with the consultant and her team, about what the kids get up to . They were all lovely.

[Alwyn247]

Hi. Glad you had such a great experience. Mine was terrible! Had it done early 2018 . Just before going down to theatre I was given a sedative which did not help me at all. Consequently very stressful procedure.

[Classof1988]

Lovely to hear of your success story. I wasn't offered any G & T!(though I am almost teetotal anyway 😅) but procedure involved chat with aneathesist and surgeon, local anaesthetic which didn't affect my alertness, and some scratchy cutting and shoving on the chest by the surgeon who was clearly stronger than his light frame suggested. He was intrigued as to how I had ended up in the town I had moved away from 15 years ago so I shared the back story and we chatted while he worked. Definitely preferable to dental treatment (and I have an excellent dentist too).

[EMBoy]

I had to wait a couple of weeks for the G&T, but my experience was very relaxed - nice chat with the cardiologist throughout and all done and dusted in about 45 minutes. Despite what we hear in the news, the NHS do get things right.

[ParrotLover22]

Hi. I've got a Pacemaker and it is an absolute Godsend! After years of fainting with a very low Heart Rate plus numerous Trips to A & E, it has not happened since :). Like you say, it is nothing to be anxious over, (if anyone is due to have one and worrying), the Staff are fantastic!! Great Post by the way

[Craftmadchick]

Thank you Superdreamer I have to go on Thursday 9th March to have a pacemaker and I am so scared this has helped hope mine goes as well. I should be used to procedures by now as 2018 I had a heart attack and stent fitted then 10 months later back in hospital with another heart attack. After nine other HA In 2020 had a double heart bypass all went well until last year just two years after bypass another HA then it was found one of the graphs had collasped I had to have a reveal loop implanted as hospital could check daily it was found I now have Afib and slow heart rate so now a pacemaker I hope this will now give me some life back as I have not been out for four years and feel I'm existing and not living. So pleased everything went well for you and thank you fingers crossed for Thursday many thanks

[Superdreamer in reply to Craftmadchick]

Good Luck hope all goes well👍

[Eastyorkshiregal]

I had mine fitted one week today, 23rd March, absolutely no sedation, just local anaesthetic. It was gruesome to say the least, BP plummeted due to the pain, they had to literally get someone else to help, presumably more experienced from the conversation they were having, due they said to my challenging anatomy.

[Superdreamer in reply to Eastyorkshiregal]

I am sorry to hear of your horrible experience it was nothing like mine. I have had the AV node ablation and all the pace setting checks and feel much much better. On Thursday I have an appointment with my cardiologist and am hoping he will say that I am ok to fly and get on with my life which I feel he and the NHS has given me back. I hope my experience helps others who are on similar journeys to feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel.