New Here...

I should have searched for this group earlier...I'm STILL trying to come to grips with the fact that, at age 44 (implant at 43) I have a defibrillator/pacemaker. I'm not dealing with it very well. Many issues to deal with, PM/DF just one small part...

But just wanted to pop on and say hello. I hope to find support here that I've not found anywhere else....

8 Comments

Welcome...

by Pookie - 2009-04-28 07:04:04

You have found a wonderful site. The members here are a wealth of information and support.

I had my pacemaker at 42, I'm now 47. It does take a while to accept it. Everyone deals with it at a different pace, (no pun intended) so there is no magic day or month that things will change for you, but with time, I promise you things will get a whole lot better. The key is to gather as much support as you can.

There is a great SEARCH feature (upper right hand corner of this screen) and there you will find tons of information.

Or...just any time you feel like you need support, log on, if ever you feel like chatting...there is a chat room (upper left hand corner). Feel free to ask as many questions as you wish.

Many of us have felt the exact same way, so please know that you are not alone.

Again, glad you found us!!!

Pookie

Thanks...

by Pharoah - 2009-04-28 07:04:05

Thanks for the feedback, and yes, I believe that the emotional is much more difficult than the physical.

Unfortunately, it's only one of the emotional things I've had to deal with in the past few months, and it's not going well.
I wish I had a better outlook right now, but it's tough to pull that out from whence I've buried it. I do plan on spending more time here...if only for the emotional support. Thanks again.

hello!

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-28 07:04:35

You may be the only young patient at your doctors office but you're just about average around here! I'm 42. I got my first pm at 27 and I feel terrific. Cut yourself some slack and understand that the emotional healing is as important, if not more important, than the physical. Sometimes just learning more about your condition will help. Or just venting, go right ahead! We've got a lot of brains to pick and shoulders to lean on. Use us, we've all been there.

Hi Pharoah

by walkerd - 2009-04-29 01:04:42

First welcome to the club. I know what you mean, On Aug 1st of 08 I had to have emergency high risk bypass I was a young age of 51 they said I had had four or five heart attacks and damaged some of the left side of my heart, and they said that I may needed a heart transplant if bypass didnt take which they thought it wouldnt, thank god it went as well as could be expected, still have the damage but bypass was succesful, In sept of 08 my cardioligist wanted to put a pacemaker/defibulator in since he was worried I could have another heart attack which wouldnt be very good I had no idea I had had the ones earlier. That went well, it took a few months to come to grips with what had happened, keep coming into this site and others on net and just let it out, trust me it helps to cope with it, and everyone on here is fantastic. come on ask questions, vent, or support others. It will help. Good luck and best of wishes for a speedy recovery. Try the chat it is cool if you can catch anyone in there. Feel free to private messege myself or anyone else on here for support. Like I said Pharoah it does help the healing process.
dave
dave

hi and welcome!!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-04-30 03:04:40

Hello, hope things are going well with you. I cannot tell you how awful physically and emotionally I felt for the first few weeks, not just the pm, I had liposuction that went wrong.

The people on this site were fantastic, great support, funny and knowledgable. I now feel like I'm part of a pacing family, there's always someone who knows the answer to a question, or knows how you are feeling.

I'm doing great now, and I really think that this site helped me as much as my family and friends. So enjoy making new friends, get into chat and, as shadow says, express your feelings, it really does help to get it all out of the system.

Good luck HH

I know the feeling

by ShadowWeaver - 2009-04-30 05:04:54

I am going through the same feelings. I just got my PM a month ago and I am 34. All I can really say is that this is a wonderful site with a lot of wonderful people. I can't tell you how much better I have felt having the people here to talk to and to talk with. We have all been through what you are going through (and some of us still are) so you are not alone. Here you will find people who understand exactly what it is like and who know what it feels like. I know that until I found this site, I felt so alone. I can't say that I am all the way back to my chipper self, but at least knowing that I am not so alone has helped a lot. Feel free to express your feelings here, they will be met with an understanding ear.

Michael

Thank you...

by Pharoah - 2009-04-30 06:04:26

I thank everyone for the words of encouragement, they truly do help. Sometimes just hard to admit that you need help.

Again, I thank you all for the kind responses, I'll keep checking back, and post as I have questions, or just general bad days.

Thanks again,
Kim

Smile...

by pezzypooh - 2009-04-30 06:04:27

Many of us are in the same boat - it is hard to accept that you will be dependent on this thing to keep you going, but it is okay! I am two and a half weeks post op, and 30 years old...I'm already tired of people saying, "you have a pacemaker, but you're so young." I know it will become just normal life soon, so I am trying to cope like you.

Truly, listen to what people tell you on here. Everyone seems to have good intentions and good hearts (no pun intended!). I have learned so much and gotten wonderful support from people. Good luck and always write your frustrations, questions, and concerns here at the club...it's a wonderful place!

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!