Hi,
my husband is 54, he has AF and heart failure. After years of the best meds, cardioversions and ablations they have recommended a pacemaker which he will happen in 4 weeks time. Any advice post pacemaker would be greatly appreciated . What to expect and the difference it has made
Is it just a pacemaker or one combined with an ICD. From what I have seen here kit will make a significant improvement. I am sure some far more knowledgeable will happen along soon!
it’s just the pacemaker. Fingers crossed
Dear Leafield15
I am so sorry to hear about your husband having to have a pacemaker fitted, but he would not be put forward for one if they thought that it would not improve his outlook at the end of it.
The procedure it self will seem very conveyor belt like which is the way the Cath labs work, but it can hide the fact that this is an extremely skilled operation performed by equally skilled surgeons.
Before you know it the unit will be fitted and he will be home and resting, normally in a day.
The wound itself, just follow instructions, my wound was about three inches long and the stitches were the dissoluble type, keep the area clean and dry, any signs of redness/infection etc contact your Dr.
Your husband will ache and its extremely important that he docent raise the arm on the side of the pacemaker wound, normally the left, also not to carry anything heavy that side until the leads are well settled in { min month }
At night if he sleeps with his arm raised { on his side } or on his side then use a v shaped pillow or wedges to keep him from turning, { I slept with my arm tied down around my waist with a dressing gown cord or a tea shirt with the arm inside}
Encourage him to put that hand { normally left } into his pocket when your out and about walking or again the tea shirt method, anything to stop the leads being pulled and that arm raised.
The last thing, and personally I think the most important, is talk to each other about what this means to you and your life.
He will not think it to begin with but slowly the unit will become apart of him and your lives.
It will remind you both of the mirical of modern science that is doing all it can to give you a new normal life.
I say new, as things will never be the same again, but different and I really hope for you both, better.
Take care of each other, judging by the wording in your posts, you already do that.
If you need any other information/support or just a good rant, I and many others are available by private message.
My thoughts are with you both.
I quite agree, mine causes no probs and was well worth the small amount of discomfort to start with. 18 months in all fine, life seems normal
Really pleased to hear that as I'm sure the OP is
Thank you so much for this wonderful, informative and supportive reply. It really helps!! We are both optimistic for the future in hoping it gives him the energy he needs, less aching and quality of life. It’s been a very long road but we have faced each step together with an open mind. He is my hero 
And we all need a hero in our lives, good luck with it all and remember help is never far.
I was going to say something but your comments are spot on, CRT-D 15 months a go. I am still wary over stretching the arm though.
My husband and I both have pacemakers. Our great-grandson is most impressed we are both bionic!!
My husband had total heart block but is now as good as new. I had pace and Ablate and am getting there!!
Blue1958 reply sums it all up nicely , the only thing I’d add is that it’s important to still use the arm as normal but not lift above shoulder height otherwise you stand the chance of getting a frozen shoulder. Best of luck you your husband.
Hi Leafield - I'm afraid I can't help with your query (my problem's mostly with the 'plumbing' rather than the 'electrics'!), but I've read Blue1958's post above and it's very informative, I'm sure you found it helpful. Just wanted to wish you both Good Luck with the procedure and many happy, healthy years to follow. Carol
There's not much I can add to Blue1958's post other than to say that I've had mine for coming up 10 years with any problems. I'm slightly different to your husband in that I have Complete Heart Block, but, I do have underlying AF.
I don't notice it day to day, its just there and part of me, with minimal scarring which is barely noticeable, and more than anything it contributes to keeping my heart working.
Best Wishes
If your husband drives, he will be told not to for a period afterwards. How long depends on the device. He must also notify the DVLA. Other than that he should have no problems. Mine is monitored remotely, so only very occasional hospital visits necessary.
I bought a single strap rucksack for my phone keys water etc and found it very useful. PH - male 77.
Just would add, pacemaker do make a huge difference to quality of life, but beware of a couple of minor but important points. Under no circumstances go through the scanners at airports, despite what the security folks say! Always demand a pat down, and carry your id card in your wallet. Second point, don't go near large magnetic forces, ie stand by the microwave or near anything like a scrapyard, it may cause the alarm to go off, which is the strangest thing ever, to hear an alarm tone emanating from your chest!!!Trust me it's weird
I can't really add to what has already been said, so this is just to say "welcome".
My pacemaker which I have had for 3y 10 m for heart block is now just part of me and I don't notice its existence most of the time. Just before I left the hospital, one of the nurses said to me that the pacemaker would give me a new lease of life, and she was correct. I can do everything a "normal" person can.
RufusScamp mentioned driving. For me, I only had to wait a week and let the DVLA and my insurance company know, but I was in too much pain to drive anyway, so it wasn't a problem. If your husband travels as a passenger, make sure he sits in the back seat on the right hand side, otherwise, the seat belt will go straight over his incision. I made the mistake of going in the front passenger seat, and it was agony.
I wish you and your husband all the best.
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