Anyone got a pacemaker ?

[Daven 10]

Yes - the vast majority of pacemakers are put in under local anaesthetic.

If you are feeling anxious they will give you intravenous sedation - just ask .

 

---------- Post added 26-07-2014 at 09:38 ----------

 

Apparently my surgery was put back because of priority cases - even though I have been 2nd on the list for the last 3 months, and have had priority status since the beginning of February...

 

The waiting list is massive as they take patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

I know that you will be very well cared for on the 12th August

[tzijlstra 11]

If that was a joke it was very good Pete!

 

If not, then I can only apologise for my tasteless sense of humour. Sorry

 

It must have been, had me in chuckles

[spider1 11]

Believe it or not, I still havent had it done - however I got the letter at the weekend...

The surgery is listed for the 12th August, so still a few weeks to brick myself

 

A friend of mine had one done 8 a.m. monday morning out same day at 3 p.m. Do them under local anasthetic now. He went to pub same night . :hihi:

[Ghostrider 11]

Yes - the vast majority of pacemakers are put in under local anaesthetic.

If you are feeling anxious they will give you intravenous sedation - just ask .

 

---------- Post added 26-07-2014 at 09:38 ----------

 

 

The waiting list is massive as they take patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

I know that you will be very well cared for on the 12th August

I hope so, as when I had an angiogram, my heart stopped.

 

Im sure you understand why im nervous now

[Daven 10]

I hope so, as when I had an angiogram, my heart stopped.

 

Im sure you understand why im nervous now

 

Absolutely !

You really will be in the best of hands Ghostrider - I can vouch for that .

[Ghostrider 11]

Having the pre-op assesment today, must admit im a bit nervous !

[Daven 10]

The pre op assessment nurses are lovely - they will be able to answer any of your questions and hopefully relieve some of you anxiety.

Let us know how you get on.

 

---------- Post added 31-07-2014 at 08:48 ----------

 

How did you get on at the pre assessment clinic Ghostrider ?

Edited July 30, 2014 by Daven

[Ghostrider 11]

Sorry, been a little preoccupied...

Assesment went ok, going in tomorrow morning and the surgery is set for 2pm.

Must admit im a little nervous...

[Plain Talker 11]

Sorry, been a little preoccupied...

Assesment went ok, going in tomorrow morning and the surgery is set for 2pm.

Must admit im a little nervous...

 

I will send good vibes, that it all goes well.

 

I was absolutely terrified when I went into the theatre for my pacemaker, and although it was not what could be described as "wonderful" to go through, i have to say, the reality was far better than the anticipation. The surgeon was brilliant, and it went fairly smoothly.

 

(The sedatives they give help. A lot. I was only vaguely aware of what was going on when I was in theatre. That made it much better.)

 

It's all done under local anaesthetic:- just a small cut, in the hollow under your collarbone, which forms a pocket in which the device sits.

 

You will be asked to cough and "sniff", by the surgeon, at a couple of points during the op, which helps them place the wires precisely.

It takes between half an hour, and three-quarters of an hour in total.

 

Afterwards, you mustn't do a lot of lifting or stretching of your arms, particularly the arm on the side you have the device. I believe this is to allow everything to heal, and the wires to seat themselves securely. You can build back up to normal activity over a few weeks. Just be gentle on yourself whilst you are recuperating.

 

they do cartloads of these operations each week, so it should be a breeze!

[hyper 10]

Dad was in his late 80's when he had one fitted. It never gave him a problem and he had a renewed lease of life. He reckoned he was awake for the procedure with someone constantly reassuring him and it was no big deal.

 

Unfortunately the big C took him a few years later.

[Plain Talker 11]

Just putting my head round the corner to say "Hope all went well, GR".

[Ghostrider 11]

Everything went ok, apart from they wired it up back to front...so when they tested it, instead of the pacemaker kicking in, the defibrillator did !

Apart from that im now home, feeling stiff and very sore.

 

Apparently im supposed to have been given a pacemaker registration card, but the hospital knew nothing about it.

Does anyone know where im supposed to get one ?