Two afib ablations and a pacemaker

On Friday, I had two places in my heart ablated regarding afib.  I also had a pacemaker put in for slow heartbeats.
So far so good even though it has only been three days.  My heart is beating normally for the first time in years.  I can't tell you what a good feeing that is.  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.  lol

Anyway I am recuperating from the pacemaker surgery.  It hurts but is not unbearable.  I did get some pain pills for the pain.  I have had much worse pain with other surgeries.  

The pacemaker is on the right side of my upper chest and renders my right arm unusable for most things for six weeks.
Pain in the you know what, but once that is past I am back to normal use.  

All I have to say is don't be afraid of EP studies, ablations, or pacemakers.  I don't think anyone could be as scared as I was, but it is well worth it and help is just around the corner.  Although I continue to worry about a device in my chest, with time I will feel much better about that too.

God bless.

[chicky2001]

I forgot to say I was in the hospital overnight because of the pacemaker. Several x rays were taken to make sure the wires were in place in my heart.  So far no other medication for my heart is being taken.

I would be glad to answer any questions anyone has.  

[Mom2four85]

glad your surgery went well and you're recovering; did they tell you why they placed your unit on the right side?

[chicky2001]

Yes, because of breast cancer and a very bad implant placement on the left side.  I have to have that removed because it is to hight and hurts.  Thank God I only had to have one breast removed.

[Mom2four85]

oh I'm so sorry to hear that :(  

[chicky2001]

No problem.  We all just have to keep adapting.  The cancer is gone and soon so will the implant.  

[ICD_mom]

Just wanted to say good luck and thanks.
I think your wlingness to share the experience with others and relieve some of their concerns is great.
Wish you all the best!

[Mom2four85]

oh wait, you're having the pacemaker removed now? or am I reading that wrong...didn't they just implant it?

[chicky2001]

Oh sorry it reads that way.  NOOOOO not having the device removed!!!!

I will, in the future, have that breast implant removed from the opposite side.  It really does hurt.  

[chicky2001]

I'm starting to have twinges.  It feels like the start of some skips, but not as strong as they use to be.  Hoping the other shoe hasn't dropped.  Maybe it takes some time for the ablation to totally work?  The pacemaker is doing just fine.  My heartbeat is staying at 70 bpm.  I called the doctor who prescribed  Cardizem.  I'll see if that works.  I am a little depressed.  

[ICD_mom]

I haven`t had an ablation, but during my hospital stay I met people who did and I remember that they all said it takes some time (days or weeks) to see the true result of the ablation. Sometimes the ablation doesn`t relieve all the symptoms, but still helps a great deal... Don`t be worried just yet, try to stay patient and positive.

[Mom2four85]

Chicky2001 it can take awhile for the swelling and stuff to go fully away in some people.  You had the unit put in also so that's going to take some extra time - my ICD still hurts all the time but my leads were not done right, so I've had quite a few problems.

If it doesn't go away or feels worse, you get a fever etc call your dr and ask to be seen just in case and tell them to give you some pain meds if they haven't - I didn't have any pain meds and went 2 weeks in pain because of inflammation then they gave me some.