Did anyone else need a pacemaker?

[MNmom]

My heart rythum is not coming back as it should, due to all the messing around in my heart that was necessary to replace so much- valve, aortic root and arch with a dacron graft. Apparently that was too much for the circulation in my heart, and the rythum is not what they want it to be. SO, i now have to get a pacemaker. It has not been confirmed, but pretty much the pacemaker people told me I will need it, they just need approval from SUNDT, who indicated yesterday that he would go with their judgment, since it is not his area of expertise. (the more specialized you get in one area, the less general expertise?) Anyway, Im glad I got Sundt for what he is famous for - aortic surgery.
Now just curious how many of you needed to get a pacemaker?

 

[Brookwood]

I had a temperary pacemaker put in me right after the surgery because my heart rate dropped too low for a moment after they restarted my heart. The pacemaker was used as a backup - meaning it'd kick in if my hr drops below 60 bpm. Since my hr was around 80 - 120 during my 5 days at the hospital, I didn't need it.

The nurses came to my room to test the pacemaker everynight to make sure that it was functioning (they use the packmaker to drive up my hr). Because the rythum generated by the pacemaker was slightly different from my natural rythum (I can see the difference from my heart monitor), I felt very uncomfortable during the test. It felt like someone was pulling and pinching your heart. Not sure if the feeling would be different if you get a permanent pacemaker.

EJ

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Rhythm problems following OHS are VERY COMMON, especially rapid and/or irregular heart beats.

Atrial Fibrilation can be controlled medically. Many of us found SOTALOL (generic form of BetaPace) works well.

Many Doc's just start off with AMIODARONE which is the SLEDGE HAMMER of anti-arrhythmics and has a LOT of nasty side effects plus a very long Half Life (i.e. it takes MONTHS to be expelled from your body after discontinuation).

Do a VR.com SEARCH for Amiodarone and you will find WAY MORE LINKS than you have time to read discussing this drug....also ask for and read the information sheet that comes with the bottle or do a GOOGLE Search. Even the FDA recommends that as the drug of LAST RESORT.

Most of us return to normal (in time...which can be weeks to months).

What kind of rhythm problem are you having?

Before agreeing to a pacemaker, I would want a consultation with an ElectroPhysiologist (Cardiologist who specializes in the Electrical System of the Heart). Maybe the "Pacemaker Doc" was an EP, in which case, I guess you go with his recommendatiion, especially if your HR drops BELOW 40 bpm.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[stinger]

I got 3rd degree heart block from my AVR surgery and now have a bi-vent pacemaker. It's more present in my every thought than the valve surgery because I feel it more (both literally and figuratively). It also, apparently, provides a lot more restrictions on what I can do than the AVR.

All that said, I'm glad I have it, as without it I'd be, at least, unconscious all the time.

My own experience was that it was, by far, more annoying than my sternotomy for quite a while. I thought I was gonna go crazy. But, it has finally loosened up (mine's subcutaneous). I can go an hour at a time without thinking about it now. And, my comfort with it seems to be increasing with time. I hope you find the same.

 

[Debster]

My mom got a bivent pacemaker a year after her surgery-and I have to say it has been really great for her. I am sure it took getting used to, but she has had a LOT more energy with it-and I wonder if it has helped her heart strength too-her EF climbed quite a bit-maybe a combo of drugs and pacer? It was definitely been a blessing.... Deb

 

[Philip B]

Pacemaker

Pacemaker

It's not at all uncommon to wakeup with a pacemaker following surgery. I was glad to be rid of mine when the nursing staff removed the wires. Having the contacts and leads ripped out of my chest wasn't an enjoyable experience. I would've swore more if the procedure hadn't taken my breath away.

I don't think it's hugely uncommon for OHS patients to windup with a pacemaker to correct rhythm issues.

-Philip

 

[AgilityDog]

Heck yeah, I got a pacemaker. I got complete heart block from surgery (gee, we were cauterizing the hoo-ha out of my L atrium to stop the afib, plus doing the mitral valve replacement, and have to cut the heart open pretty good to get there, so lots of scar tissue). anyway, couldn't get out of ICU because I couldn't sustain a HR above 40 on my own. Then got a defib the following Xmas b'cause of v-tach, also caused by surgical scar tissue.
It's a tad annoying to carry around a cell phone sized device under your skin, but it beats the alternative.

 

[briansmom]

My son had complete heart block after his last surgery, so he got a bi-vent pacemaker with ICD. It was not a pleasant experience to get it, but he has no heartbeat without it, so it is certainly better than the alternative. The good news is that you know that your heart will beat optimally which improves EF. The only restrictions that my son has because of his pacemaker are no MRIs.

 

[Gnusgal]

I've had a pacemaker since I was 7 years old. It was not due to surgery, as I had only had a shunt by then. I have complete heart block and am 99% dependant in my Ventricles. They just don't "listen" to the atria.

I don't really know what it's like to NOT have a pacemaker, so I can't give you any advice on that. But I will say you get use to it. It's comforting to know it's there.

A little over a year ago my pacemaker was replaced by a bi-v ICD. This device is bigger and they placed it in a different location (my pacemakers were all in my abdomen, the ICD is in my left shoulder). I don't like the big ol' lump or the soreness that comes up every now and then, but I do love how much it has improved my EF. The last several years I've only seen my EF go down. But only a couple of months after the ICD was placed my EF went up! I'm anxious to see if there's been any more improvement since last August.

Good luck. If you need a pacemaker, understand it's not the end of the world. But I will pray you do not. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[hall]

I have the same problem. I have been in the ER twice in 3 weeks to have the medication to put the rhythm back to normal. (VST) My surgery was 7/6/07. I go to the EP Wednesday. I am going to post then if I find out what I am dealing with. At this point, I can not comment about a pacemaker. I wish you the best. Keep us updated.

Deb

 

[marie]

I have the same problem. I have been in the ER twice in 3 weeks to have the medication to put the rhythm back to normal. (VST) My surgery was 7/6/07. I go to the EP Wednesday. I am going to post then if I find out what I am dealing with. At this point, I can not comment about a pacemaker. I wish you the best. Keep us updated.

Deb

Gosh your surgery was almost a year ago. Have you been dealing with this all of this time. I'm sorry to hear you're having problems
Earline

 

[marie]

My heart rythum is not coming back as it should, due to all the messing around in my heart that was necessary to replace so much- valve, aortic root and arch with a dacron graft. Apparently that was too much for the circulation in my heart, and the rythum is not what they want it to be. SO, i now have to get a pacemaker. It has not been confirmed, but pretty much the pacemaker people told me I will need it, they just need approval from SUNDT, who indicated yesterday that he would go with their judgment, since it is not his area of expertise. (the more specialized you get in one area, the less general expertise?) Anyway, Im glad I got Sundt for what he is famous for - aortic surgery.
Now just curious how many of you needed to get a pacemaker?

So far so good. I have not needed a pacemaker. I am 4+months post op. I am on sotalol for AFib and the doctor has told me to get off of it at 5 months so we'll see.
Good Luck Earline

 

[dtread]

Five days after the surgery I ran into some pacing problems known as ?Heart Pauses?, where my heart would stop for several seconds and then restart. The longest pause was 10 seconds, and my heart rate went up to 150 bpm just lying in the hospital bed. The resting heart rate was high after the surgery (more than double my normal presurgery resting HR of 55 bpm to around 120 bpm) due to swelling, etc, so it?s a good thing that I was in good shape otherwise I might not have made it. They moved me into ICU and then implanted a Medtronic pacemaker to prevent the heart pauses. The pacemaker is only set to prevent my heart from beating too slowly, and does not have a defibrillator function or upper limit setting.

This website provides a simple explanation for heart block: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4611

You can get more info from the following forum websites:

Pacemakers: www.pacemakerclub.com

Heart Rhythm: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/91

Arrhythmia Management: http://my.americanheart.org/jiveforum/forum.jspa?forumID=67&start=0

My pacemaker does not bother me too much and I forget about it most of the time. But still, I'd rather not have it if I didn't have to.

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

For most of my life, I did not need a pacemaker.

Then, as I prepared for my 3rd open heart surgery in early 2003, my cardiologist said I was 50/50 needing one. The decision was made to install one during my open heart surgery, so I wouldn't have to have more surgery soon after.

So, I've had a pacemaker for 5 years now...and I'm on my second one as the original was replaced February 2007.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"A concrete fascination scraping the edge of nothing" ... White Zombie ... 'Black Sunshine'

 

[MNmom]

Thanks for all your responses! Here's the update

Thanks for all your responses! Here's the update

Well, I got my pacemaker placed on Tuesday. I had a complete heart block, though all the valve and aorta functions were normal (I have a hard time understanding it all). For some reason, the pacemaker experience has been worse than the valve experience and sternonomy. I am not sure why, but maybe because it was not planned on like the valve for so long. I just dont feel right with it, but im sure lot of it is psychological. I dont like the tightness and extra restrictions on my left arm. I know in the end it is worth it, but i think like i said i didnt go in there expecting it, so its been mentally difficult to deal with, and then a big kick backwards after starting to feel better from the AVR. (the pacemaker was placed on Tuesday, after AVR on the previous Wed). I just cant wait to feel normal (or better) again!

Thank you so much for your responses- it is great to know there are others with such similar situations; especially when i feel so alone out here in 30 year old pacemaker/AVR world.
Ingrid

 

[briansmom]

Getting the pacemaker was EXTREMELY hard both physically and psychologically for my son. I think it was for the reasons you mentioned, he was just not mentally prepared for it. that being said, he has no issues with it now, hopefully you will completely forget that you have it in a few weeks.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Being / Feeling Cantankerous is probably a GOOD SIGN at this stage...

It means that you must be feeling fairly well to have the energy and psychological wherewithal (for lack of a better description) to be ornery over unexpected (and unwelcomed) 'detours' to your recovery.

Go ahead, Let It Out, it's probably good for you after all you've been through.

We're all glad to see your 'fighting spirit'.

I'll bet that Dr. Sundt is too!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Duff Man]

i have a question: If you're completely dependant on a pacemaker, how does it know you're doing strenuous activity? Does it sense that your ventricles need to pump harder somehow?

 

[MNmom]

Good question

Good question

i have a question: If you're completely dependant on a pacemaker, how does it know you're doing strenuous activity? Does it sense that your ventricles need to pump harder somehow?

Apparently, from the small amount of info that I have taken in over the past week, the pacemaker just works with your body- they set it up to work for you. In my case, I think i am set between 60-150+ it will go into overdrive with me (cant wait for that day).

 

[Sean L]

Pacemaker

Pacemaker

Today is nine weeks that I had a pacemaker put in. It was on a Saturday and then on the following wed I had the aortic valve surgery. I was very down about having to have a pacemaker. I am only 35 yrs old and thought only old people have pacemakers. However, now I don't think it is that big of a deal. I am nine weeks since the pacemaker surgery and eight weeks since Aortic valve replacement. I just got back from the gym walking on the treadmill and lifting weights. Although I am not yet lifting the same weights or running as fast prior to surgery, the doc says I should be able to do about the same as I did prior.

The reason I needed the pacemaker was due to bradycardia (slow heart rate). My rate was in the thirties and when I wore a holter monitor it recorded it go down to 21 bpm when I was sleeping.

It is stressful to get both but afterwards you will forget about it.

Sean