Pacemaker surgery

[Ezrafurball]

Hello everyone

I am likely to be having a pacemaker fitting soon and the idea of the surgery is really freaking me out. I think it's because it's done under local anaesthetic and so I'll see them doing it.

For people that have had the surgery, how was it and how did you feel afterwards?

I've had two kids and have lots of tattoos so pain is not something I fear. I think I'm just struggling with having a device inside my chest. And being in hospital prior to sinus arrest diagnosis was not a great experience.

Any advice or tips would be great.

Thanks.

[Bobkins99]

It's no Biggie. You get the local. They put a sheet Infront so you don't really see much anyway. You feel a bit of pulling and pushing but no pain then it's done. It's sore for about a week after the local wears off, and you really have to think carefully about not raising your arms above shoulder level for a while but once in it's there for several years before you need anything done

[Ezrafurball in reply to Bobkins99]

Thanks so much. That's good to hear.

[Czech_Mate]

My experience was similar to that of Bobbins. I couldn't see what exactly was going on as there was a sheet across my chest. The surgeon was very helpful and informative, explaining what was going on, but we also chatted about other things (in English and Czech). The anaesthetic was effective, all I felt was a tight chest. I had just been through a series of dental operations for tooth implants so I was expecting it to be something similar, but it was nothing like that. It was practically painless and communicating was no problem. I was extra careful for 4 to 6 weeks afterwards, but have had no trouble with it in the 20 months since. CM 🙋

[Ezrafurball in reply to Czech_Mate]

Thanks so much. That's really helpful advice. How did you feel after you'd recovered? Are you conscious it's there?

[Czech_Mate in reply to Ezrafurball]

After a month or so all OK. There are warnings about having electrical appliances close to it, but I've not had any problems with normal use as before. I have no experience with heavy duty electrics such as welders, that seems to be real no-no. Last month I got an electric shock from a socket in the kitchen (240V). Such things are part of normal life for me - just ask my wife 😏. I rang the hospital and went in to get it checked, all OK, but better to check the doctor said. In the car the seatbelt doesn't get in the way, even though we drive on the silly side here so the driver's belt goes near the site (like the passenger's belt in the UK.) I made up a pad from foam rubber to protect it when wearing a seatbelt but found it unnecessary.

It is visible, for me directly under the collar bone, about the size of an old penny (now showing my age😗) and a bit thicker, but I don't feel it.

It is programmed so that my heart beats at a minimum of 60per minute, which it has done perfectly. Personally I have more trouble with the arrhythmias and the tablets I have to take for them, and the psychological side of that. But we are all in different situations, on different journeys. I'm not a medical professional, but I qualify as a professional patient.😉

I wish you all the best on your journey. CM

[Crystal614]

Hi, I have a pacemaker. My comments are similar to everyone else. You won't actually see them putting the pacemaker in. I was told to turn my head to the side so I couldn't see the cardiologist doing the implant, plus there was a sheet covering me. No pain because of the local anaesthetic. Once that wore off it was a little uncomfortable, I was given paracetamol! Otherwise I was absolutely fine. You will be given instructions on discharge about not raising arms above shoulder level for the first few weeks. My pacemaker has been in for nearly 5 years, I don't notice it. It causes no problems at all.

[Ezrafurball in reply to Crystal614]

Thank you for letting me know. That's really helped. Going in to the unknown is really hard and so it's great to get advice from people who have been there.

[Rosie1066]

I had a pacemaker inserted six months ago and I concur with everything everyone here has said. My incision area was tight and uncomfortable for quite a while after but fine now and I hardly remember the procedure itself.

[Ezrafurball in reply to Rosie1066]

Thanks so much for your reply. I hope you are feeling so much better now.

[Lovedogs1]

I have had a CRT-P under local anaesthetic, I couldn’t see or feel anything. The whole procedure was virtually pain free, and I recovered really well. I feel so much better since. Good Luck.

[Ezrafurball in reply to Lovedogs1]

Thank you. Appreciate your reply. X

[Bingo88]

Good morning. I had a pacemaker inserted over 3 years ago now. I had no local Anaesthetic. Because I would rather be asleep or awake. Not half and half. They numbed all my shoulder up. And I never felt the cut to make the pocket for my pacemaker. All I felt was a bit of pushing and prodding getting it in place. I was looking to the side where there was a clock. The whole procedure took 90 minutes for me. And better than going to the dentist for a scale and polish that I hate. Took me a month to be able to sleep on the pacemaker arm. And I wore button up shirts for 6 weeks to keep my arm down. Good luck and hope everything goes well. Brian

[Ezrafurball in reply to Bingo88]

Hi Brian. Thank you for your reply. I absolutely hate the dentist and went on Monday for a scale and polish so if I can cope with that.....! Glad you are feeling better.

[EMBoy]

I've had my PM for about four and a half years now, and it has allowed me to live a normal life. As everyone else has said, the procedure is a lot easier than you expect, but if you are really worried about it, you can as for a sedative. Best wishes.

[Ezrafurball in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you. Everyone's messages have helped me as you have all walked in these shoes and can truly empathise. Glad you are feeling better.