Surreal

Awaiting my PM implant on Thursday. The weirdest thing is that 99% of the tiime I feel perfectly fine. I only feel the pre-syncope when I exert myself. Having been a very active/athletic person most of my life, it is certainly strange, but reading all of the problems and life issues people have post implant makes me wonder if it is worth it. Maybe I should just slow down. Have others had this odd feeling of "why am I having this done?" even though you have been told you need to have it done?

7 Comments

all normal!

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-17 02:11:58

You won't be happy slowing down, you will want to be active again! Everything you're feeling is perfectly normal. Know you're doing the right thing. As soon as it's over with, you've had time to heal and get back to being active again, you'll agree.

Know that what you read here are for the most part the exceptions, not the rules. The rest are out there living their lives.

First Time PM

by Carolyn65 - 2009-11-17 05:11:44

I had the same doubts. I think most of us do/would. I did not have any of the symtoms the cardiologist kept asking if I was experiencing. No, I did not get dizzy, faint, tired, etc. I did have A-fib/A-flutter and had taken meds. and had the "shock" with the paddles done twice, which neither worked. Since I had my lil' ol' "energizer bunny" implant, I can not tell any difference in how I feel/felt, except, I do not have the A-fib/flutter at all anymore. I understand that it could come back though. I do not know nor understand that part though of how/when/why, etc?

After just a few days of being a lil' uncomfortable around the implant incision (dissovable stitches), I am up doing my daily routines. The PM Clinic said to not lift nor raise my arm obove my heart for 8 weeks though.

There are now over 10,000 PM Club members and many more millions all over the world ~ hang in there,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

syncope and athelets

by Mitch - 2009-11-17 08:11:23

Like you I have been very atheltic all my life. However my pre syncope went full blown one day while I was cycling. The luck of the Irish held and there were no 18 wheelers behind me. I was out for over 30 min (according to witness) the next day, after 40 stitches/staples I had a pm installed. I did hava a problem with getting it adjusted correctly. The cardio doc wanted to set the low end at 60 when my resting heart rate was 48. As a result I could not sleep. I found adifferent Doctor and pacemaker Tech to adjust it correctly and no problems since. i have had it 2.5 years now and biked over 30K miles. I had no warning whatsoever of the syncope that put me down and while I of course knew nothing about it, I really don;t think I want a repeat. I think it is important to have a doctor that understands athelets.
oh yeah i'm 74, the crash was 40mi east or Roswell i call it the Roswell incident
Mitch in Texas

My two cents worth

by ElectricFrank - 2009-11-17 11:11:58

The problems you have when you are exercising shoe that your cardiac output is marginal. If your HR doesn't rise properly with activity you reach a point where your brain isn't getting sufficient blood flow and light headedness happens.

Those of us that have been active and are in good shape have more reserve so we can get away with a low HR. The night before my implant my HR was down to 26 and I was still able to walk into the hospital. I just felt lousy. I remained totally awake during the surgery and experienced the change when it was turned on. Absolutely amazing.

So, my feeling is that you will be happier with a pacer. They are no real problem once the incision heals and they get it adjusted.

best,

frank

don't worry....

by jonmelcat - 2009-11-18 05:11:38

and don't wait. it's better to have a little insurance policy and have that pacemaker in than not have it in. I am athletic and have a pacemaker. You'll still be able to be athletic. Like the other commenter, my resting heart rate was around 30 before my pm, I thought I was just an incredible athlete being a runner/cyclist. I still run and cycle. it took some time to retrain using my pacemaker but you'll be fine. it's much better to have it in and only use it a little bit than to not have it in and need it!!!! you'll be fine!

and by the way, both my little children have pacemakers and are quite active!

Surreal

by Pelelives - 2009-11-18 08:11:59

Thanks to all those who commented on my Surreal posting and question, as well as all the others that have educated me as I figured out what I needed to do regarding surgery. I am scheduled for tomorrow at noon. After reading the various comments I feel some assurance that this is the right thing and the threat of not doing something is real even though I have managed quite well in my current state. It is simply weird to feel good 99% of the time (or think I do - ha ha - maybe I don't know how bad I feel!) yet be looking at a PM installation. Send good thoughts for me for tomorrow!

Happy to Be Pacing

by angellexis - 2009-11-23 11:11:36

Honestly I thought the same thing when I was told I had to get my PM put back in and I stressed myself out so much worrying about it. looking back I'm so happy I did it. You don't notice the little things until after it's done.

You know you're wired when...

Microwave ovens make you spark.

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