Pacemaker

[hope1000]

Just wondering, has anyone out there had a pacemaker implanted as a result of an arrhythmia?  If so, how is it for you, are you aware of it all the time or do you forget about it?  Thanks.

[ksig]

At the time I had mine put in, my heart rate dropped to 28 bpm.  So off to the ER at the local hospital.  After a couple of days, it was decided that I needed both a pacer and the arrhythmia drugs.  I wasn't happy about it either but I was out of options.  In retrospect, I was making a mountain out of a mole hill.  My incision (little less than 2 inches long) is on my left side about 3 inches right below my collarbone.  Initially, I did have some pain but certainly manageable.  You will not be allowed to raise your left arm  above your shoulder because the plantation of leads need time to heal.  II took advantage of that time so my husband took over the chores for awhile.  After 3 weeks I returned to my regular routine.

My pacer is not noticeable to anyone. I can feel it but no one can see it even if they were staring at my bare skin.  The scar is usually cover by my bra strap and I am well beyond wearing. skinny straps.  In actuality, the scar is hardly noticeable.  

I travel a great deal both domestically and abroad.  The only inconvenience I have found is that I am patted down each time. But  I find it not to be a real problem.  In one airport that I fly in and out of, I have had the same TSA agent pat me down on numerous occasions!  I have never been asked for my pacer card yet I carry it in my wallet.  I just usually tap my chest and tell them I have a pacer and off I go.

Up keep of the pacer:  I have my pacer interrogated every 4 months.  The interrogation is not painful at all.  The tech simply downloads information from pacer.  I recently had my second pacer put in and that took less than half a day and I went home.  No restrictions as I did not have the leads replaced.  Those can last 30-40 years or so.

I am very glad I had the pacer implanted.  It has improved my QOL (quality of Life) immensely.
ksig.  

[Mom2four85]

I had a pacemaker/icd combo put in for profound Bradycardia and fainting.  The icd part is for my VT runs and high hr's.

It depends on what your bone structure is like and what unit they put in, you can't see mine but I'm larger breasted and it doesn't even show.  My incision is about 5 inches wide and had toned down alot since i got mine put in back in August 2009; the scar has faded alot to barely noticeable.

As long as you carry the card they give you after, travelling is no problem.  It says your name, device mfg unit # etc and says not to use wands for scanning at airports or events.  

The first 5 or 6 weeks you have to watch what you're doing and keep your arm down and not lift anything heavy, after that as long as there are no complications, you'll be fine.

btw; I have a wireless unit that reads my device daily and sends in reports weekly but that's for my ICD and in case of any VT problems, depending on your situation you may only have to go in every 3-6 months to get yours read or your dr may give you a unit like mine.

[hope1000]

Thank you for your great answer to my question about a pacemaker.  I too have a slow heartrate and cannot be put on meds for my SVT which leaves me with no options but to possibly have a pacemaker.  Can't say I am happy about it though.  How big is the area where they placed the pacemaker.  It it terribly noticeable?  Also, can you travel with it and not worry?  Thanks a lot.