Pacemaker in 2 weeks

[Gladys23]

Hi All

Hope you are doing well.

Having a pacemaker fitted on March 19 . I am quite apprehensive and would be grateful on any advice on having this procedure

Take care

[JamesWH]

Hi Gladys.

I have had a Meditronic fitted on my chest which was an ICD & Pacemaker. I was the 1% unlucky it got a small infection so had to be removed several months later. I now have a new Boston Electronics under my muscle under my shoulder.

Its normal to be apprehensive of something we do not fully understand. But we are having it fitted for a reason and that is to make our lifes a bit better if having it for pacing etc or maybe even save our lives with a ICD shock. I have had one of those as well and the whole episode lasts only 5 seconds. It takes a while to recover mentally.

As far as the chest op device you are awake for this one and it is a local. You cannot see them working. It feels like a bit of pushing and pulling and most of these go well with testing within 30mins. They will look after you and its such a common op these days the same team can do 3 or 4 or even more in a day. Its a little uncomfortable and there is a lot of other things better to do but you will be in and out before you know it. It is a little challenging mentally but really its not all that bad considering why your having it done. So try to relax let the team do their job and know your in safe hands. There is little that can go wrong and they are set up for all of this so things may take a little longer if say finding a vein is more tricky etc. Just be patient and know it will be over soon and you will be back on the ward with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

The under shoulder device is mainly just a ICD. So i do not think its the one you will have. This was a bigger op as a deeper cut to place the device so was happily sent to sleep and woke back up on the ward when it was all done. I felt like a breeze haha...

Hope that helps and truly know how you must be feeling as been there myself a few times now.

Take care x

[Gladys23 in reply to JamesWH]

Hi JamesWH

Many thanks for your kind advice. I can hear that you have been through a lot but well done for those kind words of encouragement and I will remember what you have said and be looking forward to a cup of tea back on the ward when its all over.

Take care

[JamesWH in reply to Gladys23]

Thank you, and take your time in recovery and in no time you will get on with life like it is not even there

[Doublef]

Hi I found it strait forward no pain and efficient. I had the full defib pacemaker. Was a little bit sore for a couple of weeks and no problems since

[Gladys23 in reply to Doublef]

Hi Doublef

Many thanks for reply and words of encouragement

Take care

[Murderfan58]

When my mother in law had hers fitted they put it where her bra strap went and couldn't wear a bra as it hurts as she was small chested she just wore a tight cotton vest.

If you need to wear a bra make sure they mark where you bra strap goes and ask them not to put it there.

[Gladys23 in reply to Murderfan58]

Hi Muderfan58

Many thanks for kid advice great to have this important info

Take care

[Murderfan58 in reply to Gladys23]

I told the same thing to a friend at my sit fit class and she can still wear her bra. They drew lines where her bra strap was. 🤗

[Thaifan in reply to Murderfan58]

like your mother in law I had problems with bra straps after having my pacemaker fitted. At the time I was able to buy bralettes from M&S have also found some in places like Sainsbury’s and Tesco. They offer quite good support.

[Gladys23 in reply to Thaifan]

Hi Thaifan

Thanks I will shop around

[Buddy00]

Good morning Gladys. Obviously having something inserted in your body is going to be uncomfortable in the beginning, until everything has settled down and healed. I was very fortunate as I didn’t really suffer from any pain. I wore a t shirt to bed with my left arm inside, so that I didn’t raise my arm during the night. Try and use the arm as much as possible as you normally would just don’t raise your elbow past your shoulder. The hospital will give you instructions regarding when you can get the area wet , I think it’s about a week or 5 days if I remember correctly. Hope all goes well for you .

[Gladys23 in reply to Buddy00]

Hi Buddy00

Many thanks for your kind reply very useful information as I am a bit worried about sleeping and not moving my left arm

Take care

[Bingo88]

Good morning Gladys 23. I had no problems at all with the procedure. You have a choice of being sedated and half asleep or awake. I chose to be awake. They numb all your shoulder so you shouldn't feel anything at all. As some have said you feel a bit of pushing and prodding to get the pacemaker into place. The whole procedure takes around an hour and we all take different times to recover. I was as right as reign as soon as I got back to the ward. For a month to 6 weeks it will be difficult to sleep on your pacemaker side and also you can't raise your arm above shoulder height so be better wearing Button up blouses to make it easier. Reference your bra. Could always use a folded up handkerchief between the incision and the bra strap for comfort. Let us know how you get on. Good luck. Brian

[Gladys23 in reply to Bingo88]

Hi Bingo88

Thanks for your kind reply and great information about the procedure and recovery.

Yes will let you all know how it goes

[Bingo88 in reply to Gladys23]

Your welcome. Take care. Brian

[EMBoy]

Hi Gladys23,

Like you, I have second degree AV block and COPD, and had my pacemaker fitted four and a half years ago. It has changed my life and, although I'll never run a marathon, I can do all the normal everyday things I want to.

Please do not be too concerned about the procedure - it is just as people above have described. For me, it wasn't too painful afterwards (a couple of paracetamol every few hours took care of it), but I did have to sleep sitting up for the first week or so because it was too sore to lie on.

They insist that you don't get it wet for 5 days, and it was a real pleasure to have a proper shower at the end of those 5 days.

To prevent dislodging the electrodes, they tell you not to lift your left arm above your head for 4 to 6 weeks, which is a bit of a nuisance, but soon passes. Don't worry if you do lift your arm too high by accident (we all do it) as long as you are mindful not to do it too often.

You'll be amazed at how quickly things get back to normal and you start feeling the benefit, but it does take about 3 months for everything to settle down and you may feel as if your heart is racing. This is because you are used to having a slow heart rate, and all of a sudden, it is back up to normal levels.

Just before I was discharged from the hospital, the nurse said to me that it would give me a new lease of life, and she was right. Hopefully, you will also have a new lease of life..

All the best.

[Gladys23 in reply to EMBoy]

Hi EMboy

Many thanks for your kind reply. It is great to have some first hand from some one who has had it done. You have given me great encouragement.

Just cannot wait now to get on with it .

Take care and thanks again

[Hidden]

Morning Gladys I couldn't agree more with James there isn't really anything to worry about, the only part is feeling the surgeon rummaging around making space for it, and ask for a surgeon that can sing as mine really couldn t and I didn t want to ask her to be quiet!!

[Gladys23 in reply to Hidden]

Good Afternoon CrofterG

Thanks for that yes I hope that I don't get a singing surgeon

Take Care

[Gladiator1951]

I used one of these to keep the seat belt comfortable while driving.

Mastectomy Seat Belt Pillows for Pacemaker Recovery, Post Surgery Port Cushions Heart Surgery Pads Bypass Breast Cancer Protectors Gift Accessories Women Men

a.co/d/6e5mfap

[Gladys23 in reply to Gladiator1951]

Hi Gladiator

Many thanks for that list. Been told cant drive until 6 weeks after

Take care

[jim7]

I had a pacemaker fitted a year ago this month. I was apprehensive but the surgeon and staff made everything easy. I drifted in and out of sleep as it was done and soon recovered afterwards. went home the same evening. sound scary but it was easy and quickly done and now feel so much better.

[Gladys23 in reply to jim7]

Hi jim7

Thanks for your kind reply makes me feel less worried

Take care

[Westie2012]

I recommend a vshape pillow , mine really helped me get more comfortable especially in the early weeks . I wore button up pjs and tops in the early weeks when you can’t raise your arm too high pacemaker side It took me quite a few weeks to get used to feeling this metal object in my chest , also the appearance of the pacemaker as i could see the outline of it below the skin, it felt very heavy and bulky but after a couple of months I was more used to how it felt and I could look in the mirror and not be freaked out seeing the slightly raised area of skin over the pacemaker . The pacemaker team gave me lots of information on the physical recovery however I struggled emotionally to get used to the fact that I needed a pacemaker , I’d gone through the procedure and that I’d need a pacemaker for the rest of my life . Talk to others , your family and friends about how you’re feeling post procedure , groups like this one can be so helpful as there’s many others that know exactly what you’re going through and how you feel and will be able to relate to your experience . I was very nervous so I asked to be fully sedated and I slept through it all . Take care xx

[Gladys23 in reply to Westie2012]

Hi Westie

Many thanks for your kind and informative reply. I think I will purchase a V pillow like yourself. I think I will also be asked to be fully sedated like your self as I am very nervous and apprehensive about having this procedure as well.

Take care

[Lurchergirl]

Hi Gladys I wish you luck with your procedure and hope it goes well. I should have had a Pacemaker fitted 2 weeks ago but chickened out as I was too scared to have it done and now my Cardiologist has referred me back to my GP. I got complacent as I reduced my Beta Blocker as I felt they were causing me more episodes of AF than preventing and I hadn`t had an episode for 3 weeks since doing that so I cancelled the procedure but as is always the case the AF came back so it wasn`t a good idea. Having read the replies you`ve had I am heartened by other peoples experience of the procedure so will have to get another referral I think. Please let us know how you get on in 2 weeks. I don`t think any of us like having these things done, a case of the unknown I suppose. I am 72 so a little younger. Don`t reckon much to this getting old.

[Gladys23 in reply to Lurchergirl]

Hi Lurchergirl

Thanks for your reply and I must admit that I had similar reservations like yourself. Because I have not experienced fainting or passing out (which my cardiologist thought as I have pauses of up to 7 seconds in the day).

Its good that all these kind replies have helped you to decide to have a pacemaker now.

Take care and hope all goes great for you

[Classof1988]

I see that you have had many responses already and I can only add to those that the procedure is nothing to worry about. My surgeon and I were happily chatting while he inserted the pacemaker and the only pain was really the discomfort you would feel is someone leant heavily on your chest. My wife had a cushion which I borrowed to support my arm while recovering. You will soon see the benefits.

[Gladys23 in reply to Classof1988]

Hi Classof1988

Thanks for that information and make sure that I take your advice

Take care

[Gundoglady]

Had my pacemaker fitted a few years ago,, like others I was awake and chatted to my surgeon while he fitted the pacemaker, my op didn't go quite to plan, as, I apparently have "kinky veins" 😜, and it took a lot longer than normal, and as someone who takes warfarin they were concerned about bleeding afterwards, so I had to have an unplanned overnight stay, so I'd suggest taking an overnight bag just in case.

[Gladys23 in reply to Gundoglady]

Hi Gundoglady

Thanks sorry to hear that you had that experience just hope that I don't have kinky veins but will take your advice and take an over night bag just in case

Take Care

[Wales99]

Hi. I had one fitted last October. It was all straightforward. It was a little uncomfortable having it fitted but I recovered really quickly. The worst thing for me was not being able to shower for a week after because my consultant put an actual stitch in - not dissolvable but they all do different things. Also renembering not to lift my left arm up. I got used to it really quickly & hardly think about it now. I am sure you will be fine. Good luck!

[Wales99]

I should also say that I feel so much better since having it fitted. I no longer keep almost passing out & I’m slowly getting back to the gym again.

[Gladys23 in reply to Wales99]

Hi Wales

Many thanks for your kind reply and glad to hear that you are back at the gymn

Take care

[Lurchergirl]

Hi Gladys

Two days since your Pacemaker was fitted, how are you doing. Hope all went well.