Hope you have a speedy recovery and many years of a steady heart rate.

There aren’t that many things in medicine that can be definitively fixed—this is one.
Hope you don’t mind transmitting data on your heart to the manufacturer—j/k.

My very best wishes for a speedy recovery. I wish I was closer and could pick up your scripts for you. I have had a pacemaker for a few years. No restrictions at all. I can exercise, go to the gym. No problems at all. No pain. Hasn't affected my life at all. No worries.

"The instructions I was given say that microwaves and cell phones don't interfere with modern pacemakers, but strong magnets and EMF can." - So I read that an air burst nuclear weapon of sufficient yield detonated over the United States would kill most everyone in the US with a pacemaker as a result of the EMP. (At least it would be quick) Other than that - we have no worries.

Hope you have a speedy recovery. Got mine 6 1/2 yrs. ago. Minor pain is all I had.

I've got some stiffness and a low dull pain, but not anything I really notice unless I'm thinking about it. Certainly not anything needing medication right now. Hopefully, the antibiotic is prophylactic and I won't have an issue.

flashguy

here’s to a speedy recovery! Good luck flashguy

Best of luck for a speedy recovery!

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
There aren’t that many things in medicine that can be definitively fixed—this is one.
Hope you don’t mind transmitting data on your heart to the manufacturer—j/k.

Hey Doc, after the pacemaker is installed, can flashguy do "everything" he used to? Exercise, drink, sex?

quote:

Originally posted by craigcpa:

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
There aren’t that many things in medicine that can be definitively fixed—this is one.
Hope you don’t mind transmitting data on your heart to the manufacturer—j/k.

Hey Doc, after the pacemaker is installed, can flashguy do "everything" he used to? Exercise, drink, sex?

I've been told that I can. Since the implant is in my left shoulder and I'm right-handed, I could even shoot rifles--maybe not an elephant gun, though.

flashguy

quote:

I've been told that I can. Since the implant is in my left shoulder and I'm right-handed, I could even shoot rifles--maybe not an elephant gun, though.

That’s an issue that any cardiologist or surgeon implanting a pacemaker should ask—I certainly always did when I was referring for implantation.

There’s only a short-term limitation of not raising your arm on the pacemaker side over your head—not even to shampoo your head—until the pacemaker leads are solidly in (tissue growing around the tips).

The only other problem I’ve seen was an infection due to a cross-country trip with the patient driving all the time and the seatbelt rubbing on the pacemaker pocket.

Microwave ovens aren’t a problem; TSA—just tell them you have a pacemaker and they’ll use a wand.

A pacemaker is barely noticeable, the size of a wristwatch. On the other hand implantable defibrillators (ICD’s) are the size of a deck of cards and make an unsightly lump that may even draw attention from your amazing pecs.

My release instructions did not have any arm movement restrictions--just a 24 hour ban on driving (because of the anaesthetic) and alcohol (not a problem--I don't drink). Also some care when bathing and when to remove the dressing (7 days).

After noon today I drove over to the drug store to get my prescriptions and have taken the first antibiotic (2 a day). I've got pain pills, too, but I don't need them (at least yet).

I've checked my heart rate several times since coming home and it's been 60 to 62 every time. The pacemaker is set to keep it at or above 60, so I guess it's working!

flashguy

Take care, flashguy and recover fully soon!

They'll take a likin' and keep on tickin' Godspeed flashgun!

I'm watching this thread carefully, as it looks like I get an ICD in a several weeks. I'll post the entire year's worth of tales at that point.

Flashguy, please doublecheck with your cardiologist regarding the issue of raising your arm over your head. Maybe things have changed in the last 4 years since I did this, in which case that's great. Better safe than sorry though?
Edited to add:
A search of Pub Med and some DuckDuckGoing shows wide variation in physician instructions regarding driving, raising the arm, etc.
You should have some written discharge instructions, maybe just check what they say.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Flashguy, please doublecheck with your cardiologist regarding the issue of raising your arm over your head. Maybe things have changed in the last 4 years since I did this, in which case that's great. Better safe than sorry though?
Edited to add:
A search of Pub Med and some DuckDuckGoing shows wide variation in physician instructions regarding driving, raising the arm, etc.
You should have some written discharge instructions, maybe just check what they say.

I have checked the written discharge instructions and they say there are no restrictions on arm movements. The ban on driving is due to having been anaesthetized. I'm supposed to avoid direct blows or pressure on the insertion site.

flashguy

Wishing you a speedy recover!
Have had 2 pacer inserts since the age of 36 due to “3 rd degree heart block”.
Was not allowed to move for 24 hrs after first insert. The scar tissue has to build around and secure the lead wires in your heart. Just take it easy and be careful. No need to be out there working too hard, etc. use your common sense and listen to your body.
Mine was inserted left side - they did not know I was left handed...still, I can now use small equipment and a hand gun.
I also have a “padded seat belt wrap around attachmen” for comfort while driving in a car.
Only problem ever encounterd was that the pacer set of the alarm at Walmart’s exit. (Magnetized exit panels picked up on the pacer’s frequency somehow)

I may have to look into some kind of seat belt pad, because my seat belt does cross right over the pacemaker location.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I may have to look into some kind of seat belt pad, because my seat belt does cross right over the pacemaker location.

flashguy

There are lots of them online, around $10, they have a velcro closure so you could switch between cars.