still kickin'

I am 36 years old and on my 4th pacemaker/ICD. I got my first pacemaker when I was 19 years old. Now I have cardiomyopathy/heart failure. But without my pacemaker, I wouldn't alive. I am 100% paced, which basically means that if my pacemaker were to fail, I would die. It weighs heavily on my mind, but I try to get on with my daily routine. I am very thankful for everything I have. But after 17 years of dealing with electrophysiologist and cardiologist, it gets old! I am an old pro at this (I think)! My first device was a telectronics - which went out of business due to malfunctions and defective leads (J-lead) . But I am a big believer in medtronics. My past 3 devices all were medtronics, and haven't had any complications with them. Is there anyone out there with this long of a history at my age?

3 Comments

Old Timers and getting older!

by Gellia2 - 2009-05-13 03:05:50

Hi Jessie01,

I'm one of those old time pacemaker recipients that is 100% paced, too. I received my very first pacemaker in 1975. It was a three pound Cordis (I was 26) and have had 7 changes since then.

My first dual chamber was only the second ever placed in the US and that was in early 1982, while they were still in the "prototype" phase. I still have those wires in place and they are still functioning with my latest Medtronic.

Here's to longevity!! May we all keep ticking along.

Gellia


old timers

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-13 11:05:49

There are several here who have had pm's for a long time! We have a few teens who got them as babies and a few other adults like you who got them young. I'm 42 now, on my 4th device.

I'm 100% paced also. I don't think about it much. It doesn't much matter what would happen without it because I'll always have it. I don't dwell on what-if's. :o)

Welcome to the board! I love having a place to come chat where I'm not the only active person with a pm. I've been the youngest at my drs office for 35+ years now. I try not to roll my eyes too much when someone new on staff says I'm so young to have a pm.

Hi there!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-05-14 05:05:39

Hey Jess I'm 56 today! 100% dependent as well. But think of it this way, we are 100% dependent upon a really sophisticated bit of kit, which is regularly monitored, which isnt affected by the majority of things the human heart is. Loads of people are much more likely to have their heart fail than we are our pacemakers, so get on with life with the knowledge that you are in the safe hands.

HEY TRACEY!!! lol, some of us 'oldies' are well active! I cant get my head round the fact that I'm 56, because I actually think I'm 28!! HH x

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