Went in the hospital on a Thursday night, the pacemaker was put in Friday, I came home Saturday, went to church Sunday, and back to work on Monday. I'm and engineer and land surveyor, so I walk quite a bit. I didn't drive any stakes for about 6 weeks. My pacemaker must be like yours- it increases my heart rate if it drops below 60. Other than the discomfort you mentioned I have not noticed any side effects.