Pacemaker

[Tadpole16]

Hi,

Has anyone in this group had a pacemaker fitted?

If so how was the procedure for you?

What age were you?

Did you recover quickly and how has it improved your health /life now.

Thankyou

[Hylda2]

Had pacemaker and av node ablation done 18 months ago. Now 80 and all good!

[Tadpole16 in reply to Hylda2]

thankyou for your reply and glad all is good with your health now

[Dragonfish]

Hi Tadpole, I had my pacemaker fitted on 04.04.24 so about 3 and a half weeks ago. I was not really feeling I needed it as minimal symptoms and just returned from a walking holiday in Spain, but bradycardia and sinus pauses identified on 72 hour monitor, so advised to have it fitted. I’m 63 and generally fit and healthy. The op was ok, awake but with local anaesthetic and sedation, and it was sore for the next 2-3 days with some swelling and bruising around shoulder, upper chest and armpit on left side, but all bearable with paracetamol. Gradually less sore and swelling etc now gone. Wound healing well but still a sort of scratchy feeling inside the pocket where the PM is when I move in certain ways. Hardest thing has been not moving my left arm above shoulder height and not doing certain activities such as remembering not to use left arm to get stuff out of cupboards or putting clothes on left arm first. You should find lots of advice about post op care on line, and ask when you have the PM fitted. I have not really noticed it working but then I didn’t have many symptoms before…. Good luck with yours and hopefully you will get on fine!

[Tadpole16 in reply to Dragonfish]

Thankyou so much for your response to my question very helpful.

had a NStemi April 2023 and have also had bad clotting episodes I have protein S deficiency for which I’m on life long anticoagulant . Most of the time I’m in bradycardia with resting heart rate around 40 but since my heart attack April 2023 I’ve also suffered several episodes of atrial Fribulation . I saw my cardiologist this morning who is arranging more tests but suggested pacemaker surgery that has been discussed before as possible treatment in the future maybe better doing sooner. I’m 66 years old fairly fit considering what I’ve been through over last 10 years.

[Rosie1066]

yes, I had a pacemaker fitted last year due to Tachy-Brady Syndrome. So far, all is good and hardly any AF although I was told at pacemaker clinic that I was having Eptopics but they were nothing to worry about.

[Rhinos67]

I had a pacemaker fitted on 2022 following OHS to replace my Aortic Valve. I went into total heart block so was connected to an external pacemaker until I was well enough to have one fitted 11 days later. I was 54. I'm 100% paced and all good now. Walk around 5 miles a day at work and go to the gym and classes every week

Joanne

😊

[Tadpole16 in reply to Rhinos67]

thankyou for your reply Joanne very reassuring .

[Bingo88]

Had a pacemaker fitted 5 years ago. Was fully awake and no pain at all. Just pressure and prodding getting it into position. You do have to take it easy for 6 weeks afterwards and depending what you had the pacemaker for you might have to apply for your driving licence back if you drive. It hasn't really improved my health because I was diagnosed with Severe copd at the same time. Brian

[Tadpole16 in reply to Bingo88]

thankyou for your response

[Qualipop]

My friend's husband had one fitted about 3 years a go when he was 85. No problems at all. He was a bit sore where they put it in but that only lasted a couple of days. He put a small rolled up to towel over it when travelling so the seatbelt didn't hurt. He has a monitor beside his bed that checks for any events without him even knowing or doing anything. A phone helpline told him how to set it up. He could take it on holiday with him. He was phoned just once when it showed an odd reading but it was nothing important. Within a couple of weeks he'd almost forgotten he'd had it done and now doesn't even think about it. I think he stayed in overnight when they did it just because he was late having it done.

[Tadpole16 in reply to Qualipop]

Thankyou for your response

[PinkKizzie]

Hi Tadpole16, attempted PM implant in November 22 but was halted when the third lead pierced my heart. Emergency OHS was performed to remove the lead and repair the hole. I don't have a pacemaker and take marvellous meds and feel really well. My EF is 25%. Don't be put off by my experience as there is only a 1% chance of this happening. Take care.