The ONE

No one my age understands me. My health, regardless of my age, places me in a older age bracket. I recently was chatting with an older couple whose daughter I went to highschool with. Since they both have pacemakers, we had a lot in common and tons to talk about. I joked that we should hang out more often. They are in their 70's !!!

I AM TIRED of being the ONLY ONE.

In my entire city, I am the only patient in their 30's with a pacemaker. I am also the only one, reagrdless of age, in my town living with a pacemaker being paced 90% with a desire to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

In my lonely quest to quit frequenting this place so much, I'm realizing that I don't have many options other than "hang out" here.
I was just wondering if there's any other "ONLY ONES" out there?

Most of the time, it's not a problem or an issue, but sometimes it just gets.....well........lonely.

Thanks,
only the lonely-
(A.K.A- Angelie)

13 Comments

Keep On Truckin

by mike thurston - 2009-06-23 02:06:06

Angelie,
Although I am 57 and know a couple of people with pacemakers I often feel that aloneness. I am very active and rock climb, road bike, Mountain bike and lift light weights. Sometimes it is hard but I keep at it. Most of the folks I know with cardiac problems smoke, drink and generally just don't care about physical activity. My ex father in law has a pacemaker/ICD like me and continues to smoke, drink and such. I have a co-worker who has 6 stents and still smokes like a chimney. Never mind he gets winded walking a short distance. So although I am a cardiac patient I find more comraderie with people who share my passion for climbing, biking etc. - I just can't keep their pace so I just go at my own speed but we all share our experiences and adventures.
Maybe you could check out Cardiac Athletes and find some 30 somethings that you could relate to and communicate with. Lots of active people there. I am 100% PM dependent and have lost 1/3rd of my heart muscle. I am terrified of being shocked someday but untill that happens I am living life to its fullest. I find that healthy athletic people like my sons understand the situation but expect me and encourage me to do my best.So keep on keepin' on and find some healthy folks who understand and still want to help you reach your goals. Visit here when needed but join the other folks out there in acheiving your dreams. Often times they have obstacles to overcome that we don't know about.
Just my 2 cents.
Mike

Hi....

by Pookie - 2009-06-23 03:06:51

Angelie...I sent you a private message.

Pookie

Hi There

by janetinak - 2009-06-23 04:06:02

Altho I am more than twice your age, I am the only one I know with a PM. I hear about others but don't know them so I like to visit this site for support too. Keep checking with us & maybe you'll not even think about it much any more & won't feel so lonely.

Good luck,

Janet

Not alone...

by CJD2007 - 2009-06-23 04:06:28

I feel alone too though I am 49 and have had it for 2 yrs. But, like everyone says, there are babies & 20 somethings with pacemakers. Pacemakers don't discriminate. Most of society associates pacemakers with much older people. It is hard for those that don't have one to relate.

Sorry, don't know what else to say. I struggle still after two years because of having to give up a job that I loved because of it.

You aren't alone here (((Hugs)))

Keep em guessing

by Blueaustralia - 2009-06-23 06:06:28

Having a pm was a great shock to me as I had always been so active. I just don't tell people now as I think it can change their attitude. When I do tell them they are taken aback and after an initial pause things are the same. But, it is great to have friends in the same situation to talk to. We are all here for you.

Hugs (( ))

Thanks

by Angelie - 2009-06-24 06:06:54

I was mainly interested in knowing if there were any others out there who were the only ones in their age bracket in their town.
I don't care about other people stating that I'm too young for my health issues.....I've been putting up with that for years already and it doesn't bother me.
I know I'm not the only one, or the youngest out there with a implanted cardiac device, but how many people YOUR age have one in YOUR city.
I don't hate these little titanium wonders, and I don't mean to sound as my life with one is awful. I was just curious if there were others that are "the only ones" in their town, and if so....what do they do. Just curious.

Thanks Ya'll,
Angelie

yeah

by uvagershwin - 2009-06-24 07:06:53

I'm 15 years old!!!!!! I got mine @ friggn' 15 HOURS old! I know it's frustrating, but try high school with a pacer! And THEN pile on the problems I've been having... UGH! It sucks, but when we grow older we can make fun of those who have only recently got theirs! :) LOL!

sites to check out for children with pacemakers

by jeannie - 2009-06-24 10:06:08

http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/cardiac/lwp.html

http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site457/mainpageS457P12sublevel115.html

http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/wellness_index.jsp?id=-9350

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00542854

Maybe you can get people your age to talk to

young pacemaker recipient

by jeannie - 2009-06-24 10:06:48

When my husband had his done at the college in Ca. there were little babies there and children. One of the children told him "don't worry, it will be ok" it was a wonderful helpful experience. Do not think you are so there are lots of you out there. I don't know how you can contact them but try on like "advertizing" for talk with young recipients. Jean
You can try writing to the cardiac center at UCSD San Diego. That was where we were. I don't know if they would help but stay in there!

I can relate

by sis - 2009-06-24 12:06:51

I am in my 30's too and got my icd in April of 07 and have just recently had my 4th surgery to get my device repositioned in May and boy do I know what you mean about feeling like your the only one!! I tell you what the next nurse or person that happens to remind me that "your awfully young to have one of THOSE......" might get an earfull!! I was sooo going to complain to my primary care doctor about her nurse saying that to me on two different occasions but I chickened out at the last minute LOL I just thank God that they have these devices for everyone. I just lost my Dad June 6th from a heart attack and they said if he had an icd that he might of had a chance to make it :( and here I just had a conversation with my new doctor about possibly taking mine out eventually because I might not of needed it in the first place.....now I'm pretty convinced to keep it after going through these last few weeks whether I need it or not :( If you ever wanna chat message me :) take care~Sis

I can relate

by sis - 2009-06-24 12:06:54

I am in my 30's too and got my icd in April of 07 and have just recently had my 4th surgery to get my device repositioned in May and boy do I know what you mean about feeling like your the only one!! I tell you what the next nurse or person that happens to remind me that "your awfully young to have one of THOSE......" might get an earfull!! I was sooo going to complain to my primary care doctor about her nurse saying that to me on two different occasions but I chickened out at the last minute LOL I just thank God that they have these devices for everyone. I just lost my Dad June 6th from a heart attack and they said if he had an icd that he might of had a chance to make it :( and here I just had a conversation with my new doctor about possibly taking mine out eventually because I might not of needed it in the first place.....now I'm pretty convinced to keep it after going through these last few weeks whether I need it or not :( If you ever wanna chat message me :) take care~Sis

i hear ya

by newbiegal5 - 2009-06-25 12:06:48

i am the only one in my town with a pacer anywhere near my age. i'm 29. i get the whole had health issues all the life.. me too. i think we probably all have.
it does suck sometimes though, going out and you can tell everyone stares at the scar because it's not something they have seen before and they don't know to connect it to a pacer. if they are rude enough to ask about it (which some do) they act like i have leprasy. as if you can catch the need for a pacemaker. or they think they need to call 911 all the time for you. i know that covering it up would help, but i decided when i got it that i've never covered up the scar from my open heart surgery, and since i'm not ashamed of having a pacer, i'm not going to cover it as if i am.
i understand wanting to workout more too. i'm not as dependent as u on mine, but pretty dependent. it's hard to push the limit to get where you want, but to not have the reprecussions of it either. its really darned if you do and darned if you don't kind of thing. whenever i feel really alone with this (cause i am here in my little town), i just think about all of the things i can do in my little town because of my little metal helper. i try to stay optimistic, but it does get hard sometimes and i let that be ok and try to make the next day not so hard.
hope it helps!
kristin

me too

by dcsubburb - 2009-07-03 02:07:23

I hear that comment too your too young 41 for a pacemaker/defib i just so far have shrugged it off but i;ve only has mine 2 weeks..

You know you're wired when...

You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

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