Anxious need reassurance on battery/unit change on horizon!

[Samphoto]

So I’m coming up to the op .. (10yrs) they want to move my pacemaker to under the muscle rather than just under the skin as I’m quite slim and my cardio was muttering about scar tissue etc..

Please don’t judge me as I’m going to prattle on a bit here!

Obviously I now want to get on with it but I’m so so anxious about going back in.

I don’t have the best experience first time so it obviously comes from that. One lead didn’t take so I had to go back in, then had a mild allergic reaction when I came around from the local anesthetic, ot sedation. They never identified what it was so that doesn’t help.

Do tell me how smoothly it went for you guys, especially if you’ve had it under the muscle under a general. I have an irrational fear that I will be too faint to wake up after the general or some alergic reaction or you name it! I’m tiered of my own worries .. I was much braver second time in. Do we get braver again each time? I have a 9 yr old at home too so I need to get braver about all this. Sometimes I feel resolved and accepting- then when I get a call or ‘realtime’ talk from medics or otherwise I just feel like crying.

I’m already worrying about the lead change in the next decade too.

In my day to day life I’m really strong and been though a lot - I’d say I’m normally tough,… but this….!

[honeybubs]

hi Samphoto, so sorry you are going through this difficult time. I’ve only had a pacemaker defib for a year so can’t be much help to you. I’m sure others will answer you soon with their experiences. I think everyone is very anxious with procedures like this so try to stay positive I’m sure it will all be ok. Speak to the BHF nurses I’m sure they will reassure you and put your mind at rest. If you can afford see a cardiologist private to discuss your circumstances and what you are afraid of as the more you know I think it will help you. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Thinking about you x

[Samphoto in reply to honeybubs]

Thank you so much for your kind reply. Yes I will talk to the nurses when the time comes so they can be alerted they have a ‘worrier’!!

[FeltPen]

Hello,

I had an ICD fitted last October (2023). It is in my chest under the muscle, as you say, not just under the skin. I had a local anaesthetic and the whole procedure took about 20 minutes, fully conscious throughout. I don't believe that general anaesthetic is an option for this, but I may be wrong.

Like you I was extremely worried about the procedure, for weeks up until it actually happened. But I was surprised at just how quick and painless it actually was. As I said, in and back out of the Cath Lab in about 20 minutes, with no pain, just some mild discomfort. Certainly less painful than a trip to the dental hygienist.

[Samphoto in reply to FeltPen]

Thank you for your reply, I’m glad it was smooth for you. How does it feel for you under the muscle , .. and how’s sleeping with it now? Are you aware of it?

I’m having a general as they are checking out my veins for when I need leads changed at same time - putting dye down or something to see - I had a DVT on the vein entry site before a few months after.

So glad it’s looking like a simple procedure this time. I guess it’s the lead change I’m more anxious about!

Thank you

[FeltPen]

Hey, no problem.To answer your questions; I must admit that I was very aware of it at first, because like you I'm lightly built, so it sticks out quite a bit! It did take me a while to get used to it. But now, one year on, I tend to forget that it's even there to be honest. As for sleeping, I always sleep on my back, so it's not really an issue for me. I think I would find it difficult to sleep on my front.

My mum has a pacemaker and last year she had her battery replaced and a lead change (one of hers was broken in two). Like me, she was out of the Lab in a very short time. She said she was aware of some 'pushing and pulling ' but otherwise it was relatively straightforward. Hope that info helps.🙂

[Samphoto in reply to FeltPen]

Thank you x