New with Questions

Hi,
My husband is 42 and just got a PM last week. He had surgery for Afib and his heart went into 3rd degree block after. We are a very active couple - hiking, fishing, (he hunts), skiing, etc. I have read lots of posts here, but was hoping for some support from other young people with PMs to let us know this won't impede our lifestyle. It's all new to us and we are a little "freaked out" by the whole prospect of this. And, he also builds furniture as a hobby and lives in his woodshop. Everything I have read points to no problems with his woodworking tools, but I would love to hear confirmation from anyone that all is ok here too. Woodworking is his passion, so I am hoping there won't be any issues. Any words of encourgement would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
Lisa

9 Comments

MOUNTAIN

by pete - 2009-10-19 02:10:06

I had Afib, went into acute heart failure with very little hope of surviving. But I did. I could hardly turn over in bed afterwards, until I got my pacemaker. Climbed a 3000ft mountain 16 weeks later. 2 1/2 years on still very active. doing woodwork and metalwork, electronics, gardening. Im so busy I can hardly think straight !! No problems Cheers Peter aged 63
PS Also had an AV node ablation as well as pacemaker

won't slow you down!

by Tracey_E - 2009-10-19 06:10:27

Once he heals and the settings are adjusted to fit his needs, you're going to find that having a pm doesn't slow him down at all. I'm 43 now but got my first pm at 27. I hike, ski, work out with weights, rollerblade... anything I want! I do quite a bit more than I could before I got the pm because I don't tire as easily as I used to.

Except for..

by turboz24 - 2009-10-19 09:10:03

I still do 99% of what I did before my implant (ICD not PM). I can't backpack or carry anything over my left shoulder, but that's more of a placement issue on my implant.

I still work on my cars, weld, weight lift daily, etc.

Hi Lisa!

by GMan - 2009-10-19 09:10:39

He'll be fine. And woodworking...WORK AWAY! I do everything @55. I Ski also...am a veteran skier. No problem here also, unless, he hits the pacer in to something. But he could pad it!! Don't hold back! Keep the faith and pulse!

Gary

Life Goes On

by stevenmurrell - 2009-10-19 10:10:22

Just another sounding.
I recieved my device when I was 44. I still snowboard, surf, scuba, climb, row, do wood working, and work in an electronics lab (I just don't lean against the transformers.....lol). I have had to argue with my doctor a couple of times over the settings on my device but as I told her, it is supposed to enhabce your life, not interfere with it.
Life Goes On.

Thank you!

by recoverrite - 2009-10-19 12:10:26

Thanks Jack and Frank for such quick responses. Super good news on the woodworking! Frank, my husband was SO happy to hear this information about hiking and altitude! Keep hiking! I hope at 79 we are still logging the miles. I'll be in touch. And thanks again, that helps so much.

Woodworking

by Jack - 2009-10-19 12:10:32

I have had absolutely no problem working in my wood shop and I have all the electric tools. It's not on the "no no" list for Medtronics.
Have fun.
Jack

Welcome

by ElectricFrank - 2009-10-19 12:10:37

Give the pacemaker a few weeks to get settled in and you should be able to get back to a full lifestyle. The 3rd degree block is one the easiest to for the pacemaker to handle. As long as his atrial rhythm is still intact all the pacer has to do it sense an atrial contraction and use it to time a ventricular beat. In this case he will have normal response to activity. Even if there is an atrial problem that prevents this type of pacing, they can use rate response which senses body movement to set the HR. This takes a little more time to get adjusted right, but once done should work fine.

The woodworking equipment is no problem. Neither is outdoor activity. I'm not a "young" person (I'm 79), but I spend a lot of time camping. I have explored the high country of Colorado by Jeep at 13,000' with no problem. I hiked around at that altitude as well. I'm a bit more limited as to how many miles I can hike, but even that isn't pacemaker related. My old legs complain a bit!

Feel free to ask if any questions arise. By the way it is a good idea to ask for a copy of the pre and post programming report at each office visit. There are several of us here that can answer questions about it. I carry a copy of the latest one on trips in case I have a problem.

frank

woodworking

by rcyr - 2011-04-12 02:04:48

thanks for the comments. Just got pm on saturday and was really concerned about what I was reading in the supplied brochures on using tools.

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.