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New Pacemaker
Hi,
I am a 55 year old woman that has worked out all her life and watching my diet. People would always comment on how discipline I am about being healthy. All of a sudden last week I passed out at work. I was brought to the ER and passed out two more times. They told me I flat-lined. The Dr. thought it important to make a copy of my last EKG so show me that I did actually flat-line. Not sure what I think of that yet. I had emergency surgery to have a temporary pacemaker installed, and the day after had a permanent one inserted. Along with me dealing with myself, my husband had his first heart attach on July 18th, I started my new job on July 13th. It has been a whirlwind of health issues for us. I am having a hard time dealing with my issues because I did not have time with this. I think I am in shock. Since I have not been at my job for 90 days they could have terminated me, but my manager decided to keep me on prn status and told me they would have a job for me when I return. I use to travel to 3 different offices, and I was by myself at two of them. My manager said she is thinking about keeping me at the main office where I won't be alone. I am starting to feel like some kind of invalid. Also, my husband and I are without insurance. I cannot find anyone who will cover us and I have been paying for medical my whole life. Luckily this happened when we had insurance, but it ended on 8/30. Discrimination on the job and receiving health care seems to be happening in my case. There is no diagnosis for my pacemaker so I guess what they are using is sick sinus syndrome. With all that said, I do know there are others out there in much worse shape than I am, but I just don't know how long it will be until I can feel good about myself again. You see I have a type A personality and this stuff is not suppose to happen to me. I have spent my whole life being healthy.
With all the experience on this website, how long will it be until I can really work out again?
Thanks
Donna
11 Comments
Hi Donna!
by GMan - 2009-09-04 07:09:33
I'm now at 7/weeks w/pacer. I'm moving around pretty well and have been exercising for at least 4/weeks. Mostly isometrics & the old Charles Atlas routine "Dynamic Tension". Also cutting grass using 1 hand and walking. 9/15 I go in and hopefully I'll be cleared for more activity. Golf, Weight Training, etc. I would chill and keep your arm quiet. Let it heal!
It was spooky being completely alone but I'm over it. Keep reading everything on this site. The gang here is tremendous! You'll be fine!
Gary
P.S. Is a flatline the same as a block?
welcome
by Tracey_E - 2009-09-04 07:09:45
First of all, welcome! We're glad you found us. Know that you're not alone and there are a lot of us here who've been there done that, and we're always willing to listen when you want to vent and answer your questions.
Could you continue the old insurance under COBRA a while longer? Does the new job offer insurance after you've been there a while? If you can find a way to reinstate the old insurance under COBRA, it will be a lot easier to get new insurance. When you've had continuous coverage they can't deny you. The easiest way by far to get insurance is through an employer on a group plan because they don't look at pre-existing conditions.
It's not at all uncommon to feel the anger and denial and why me. It's great that you exercise and take care of yourself, that will prevent clogged arteries- plumbing problems. Your problems are electrical, and there's absolutely no way you could have done anything to prevent it.
You absolutely are not an invalid! I don't even see myself as sick. I have a problem, I have a cure for it, I go on with my life and rarely give it a thought. Most people don't know I have it. It's not a secret, it just doesn't come up in conversation and it's not obvious looking at me that my heart needs a little help. People just see a healthy, active woman.
With your doctor's permission, you should be able to start easy walks and light aerobic exercise now. You'll need to allow 4-6 weeks of healing before you get back to your full workouts. It'll pass before you know it!
FL
by Tracey_E - 2009-09-04 08:09:18
Where are you in Fl? I'm in the West Palm area. A group of us are meeting in Tampa for a weekend at the end of the month. The deadline to sign up was a few days ago but I think Blake extended it a bit so it might not be too late. Sometimes seeing other young healthy people with a little internal bling can get you over the hump. There's a link on the homepage here with more info.
Thanks for the input
by dion15 - 2009-09-04 08:09:34
Hi,
I am actually walking now, but certainly not the way I use to. I just returned from a casual 2 mile walk. I have been reading all the inputs on this site, and they really do help. As far as insurance, we had short term for 3 months. Now that this has happened, the only way I can get good insurance is through my employer. I have to pray that once I return to work, they put me back on fulltime status, and it doesn't delay my insurance date of 10/11/09. It's a wait and see game for me. I have someone looking insutance for us now and hopefully we will be able to get something that is just not accidental insurance. I was told you do not want an insurance company to deny you, this will cause other insurances companies to do the same.
My husand has been fine since his heart attack 7/18. I am just going to pray to God that nothing goes wrong with me. My first pacemaker clinic is 9/8 and my first Dr appt. is 9/14. I am hoping they allow me to go back to work on 9/15. That would be wonderful. What is the normal time off from work? By the way we moved to Florida on 4/20. We wanted to semi retire because we see so many of our friends unable to enjoy the golden years (if that is what they really are) and isn't it ironic that this has happened to both of us. I even questioned if we have made the right move. My husband says we have. We both love it here. I do miss my family, especially now. Hopefully, this is one of those bumps in life that we both learn from. I am so grateful that I am here, I just don't understand and never will why this has happened to us at such a young age.
I guess I need to take the advice given on this site and enjoy my life to the fullest.....I just can't wait until things get back to normal around here.
Weekend
by dion15 - 2009-09-04 09:09:07
Not sure if I'm ready to travel yet, still a little paranoid. As I said my first pacemaker clinic is on 9/8 and my first Dr appt is 9/14. Once I get cleared and everything is OK I will feel much better. I cannot drive until my first appt on 9/8. I live in Estero it's near Ft. Myers. Thanks for all you input it helps...I just found out being on PRN status means I will have to wait a full 90days once they rehire me part or full time to get medical benefits. I hope I can find something until that time.
Flatline (Gman)
by dion15 - 2009-09-05 06:09:11
Hi,
Flatline means my heart actually stopped beating and I had no pulse. I do not have a block, my electrical system in my heart just decided to stop working for a bit. I guess what I have is Sick Sinus Syndrome. I am going to ask the Dr lots of questions when I see him. It happened 3 times within the span of 3-4 hour period. Hence, the reason for my temporary pacemaker and then the next day a permanent one. Each time it occured it was for a longer period of time. I'm glad to hear you are dong so well. I can't wait to work out normal again. I miss my 5 mile jogs in the morning. My husband and I own a boat. Reading about pacemakers it talks about avoiding attracation rides and horseback riding. I hope I will still be able to go boating. Again, this happened to me in an emergency situation, and I think that is why I am so concerned. I didn't have time to ask any questions or to research anything...I did see TracyE's message about Attitude counts. I actually printed it out and stuck on my fridge. Tracey I commend you for being so optomistic. I want to be just like you. I flip flop with my feelings right now. I just don't understand why yet, and I realize I never will. I am just the type of person who believes there is a reason for everything that happens in life. Not sure why this happened. My husband on July 18th (2 stents) and now me on August 27th. We cannot find health insurance. Ours ended on August 30th. Thank God we were covered for these life events. Work kept me PRN but I will need to start my 90 day probation over again, which mean no benefits for 90 days. I guess insurance companies only want to insure healthy people. That's a problem for me too. I still know that I am healthy, so it bothers me to think I cannot get insurance, especially now that we need it. We can afford to pay for it, but no one wants to cover us. Well I guess that's enough for now. I woke this morning I live in Florida and it's going to be a beautiful day....I consider myself a very lucky person today......thanks TraceyE and Gman....
Donna
why
by Tracey_E - 2009-09-05 09:09:24
I totally agree that everything happens for a reason. Unfortunately God's not big on telling is what that reason is until He's good and ready. :o)
Of course insurance companies only want to insure healthy people, they don't run up big bills so they can make a lot more profit! There are quite a few members here who are working and uninsured. Something needs to be done.
I'm so flattered that you'd put the article on your fridge!
I boat and ride horses, no problems. You only need to take it easy until you heal, after that just about anything goes. Full contact sports aren't a good idea and we have to avoid magnets. Some of the newer roller coasters use magnets, those are the ones to stay away from. The other rides are fine, though I'd wait at least 6 mos before getting on a roller coaster.
10 months pacing
by Hot Heart - 2009-09-07 03:09:46
Hi there! I was 55 as well, 2 jobs 2 kids, did gym, swimming, hiking, dancing, and.........wham, total heart block after having liposuction.
I went through shock, depression, anger, being terrified. I couldnt walk at all for over a month, more to do with the lipo i think, felt it was the end of the world.
Ten months on, almost back to normal, just been on a hiking holiday, did gym, swimming etc, and feel good. Just stay positive, take it slowly, and you should be fine.
HH
Was told I could do just about anything
by COBradyBunch - 2009-09-08 05:09:14
My doc didn't tell me to avoid horseback riding, mt biking or amusement park rides unless they bothered me physically. My pacer is not set for rate response or to change rates based upon activity or movement which is probably why all these are good for me. My heart doesn't have the problems at the high end, it is just these damn times when it decides to stop itself for periods of time that are a bit of a bother. About the only thing my doc says I shouldn't do is anything that might actually include blows to or pressure on the pacemaker itself.
Thanks for all your comments
by dion15 - 2009-09-11 04:09:47
Just want everyone to know that I am back to work. I told everyone I just have a little energizer bunny in case I need it. I am feeling really well and I know I will be fine. I can't wait unitl I am able to jog again and do my ab lounger. I was told I could go boating. They actually took down my heart rate. I was using my pacer 28% of the time. Instead of 60 I am set at 55. TraceyE it was wonderful meeting you. Thanks for all your help. My attitude today and everyday will be a positive one. I wake up each morning with this special thought...Life is 10% was happens to you and 90% is your attitude towards life. Thanks again to all of you and good health to everyone..
Donna D
You know you're wired when...
You make store alarms beep.
Member Quotes
I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.
Sounds familiar
by COBradyBunch - 2009-09-04 01:09:21
Me, 50, healthy (could lose about 20 lbs though although I would love to lose 30 and be really fit again) and had almost the same happen with the passing out, flatlining thing. Passed out at home (twice in three months) and both ER visits showed me to be perfectly healthy. 2nd ER visit though the ER Doc suggested I stay overnight and they got me a room and just as I was falling asleep (or maybe passing out, but it was 4:00 am by this point) I suddenly had a room full of crash team, with crash cart and all. One full day of research and 2 more events later I had my PM put in about 36 hours after the first event.
Now for your issues:
It was weird for the people at work for a while. I have always been the go to guy and put in long hours and my boss was really concerned. Told her that except for my heart naps (and my new heart alarm clock) I was fine and healthy. But still takes they a while to understand I don't have a BAD heart, just one that likes to take naps.
I started working out about 10 days after I was post surgery (doc said just don't overdo it and listen to my body). Very light at first and mostly on a stationary bike or bike trainer. 4 weeks after surgery I was in full cardio workout mode again and was given the okay to just about anything else I wanted, short of anything that would hit the pacer itself (mine is in the muscle, not just sub dermal and I requested that so it would have some extra protection).
So the big thing is listen to your doc. BTW, one other fun note, 6 weeks after surgery my pacer hadn't fired once. But considering I had gone three months between previous events that doesn't mean the problem is gone per my doc, just that whatever my trigger is hasn't happened again.