Nobody wants to join clubs

Hi everybody,

Just got the news Friday from my cardiologist that I'll be joining the club next month with a PM for Bradycardia. My heart rate was down into the thirties.

I'm a male in my mid 60s and play hockey 2 to 3 times a week and also work out twice a week. In the summer months I'm an avide golfer.

The doctor told me 4 years ago I would need a PM and now the time is here.

Found this site while looking for info on PM.

You're right doctors don't tell you much about PM's or the impact it will have on you, however, this site has given me a wealth of information.

Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Polly

6 Comments

Hi :-)

by pacergirl - 2011-02-12 08:02:47

Hello Polly,

I'm Pacergirl and wanted to welcome you to the club. I haven't checked your bio yet, but I'm in Kansas and I also have bradycardia plus heart block and a few other issues.

We are a fun and supportive group and we welcome you and your thoughts.

Nice to meet you,
Pacergirl

Welcome

by admin - 2011-02-13 08:02:40

Polly,

Welcome to the club and thanks for your kind message. Feedback like this keeps our batteries charged up.

Happy pacing,

Blake

...Want a cracker?

by donr - 2011-02-13 09:02:52

Couldn't resist. the Devil made me do it.

You are right - no Dr. tells you any more than he/she has to. They don't know what you can handle! Like Jack Nicholson said in one flick"The truth - you can't handle the truth!" (Or words to that effect.)

Therefore - you have to ask, ask, ASK!

I'd watch the hockey for a while. At least 6 weeks. Then, wear a healthy pad over the PM area. Taking a puck into your PM is going to physically hurt. After all, it is metal & the skin/SC fat will be bruised between the PM & puck.

Good luck - you WILL enjoy the relief it gives you.

Lemme see, now - what kind of restrictions on activity do I have? 1) I don't kick box. 2) I don't climb the local 1000 ft Channel 5 tower to hug the antenna output. 3) I don't place supermagnets in my shirt pocket. 4) I don't fire my shotgun w/ the butt on my left shoulder. 5) I don't walk up behind my neighbor's mule, slap it on the rump & twist its tail. 6) I don't mow the lawn - never know if the ignition may generate strong enough fields to affect my PM. (But, I do use my chainsaw ) 7) I don't swim where Great White Sharks have been sighted - the PM may attract them. That pretty much seems to be it. It's really messed up my leisure time activities.

Don

Great help

by johnl - 2011-02-13 12:02:14

Welcome to THE club,everyone is so good ,anytime you feel like a bit of reassurance just look on here and you will get a boost, it has helped me so much.

Thanks

by Polly - 2011-02-15 03:02:13

Sorry just got back from weekend trp
Thanks from pacegirl Don,John and Blake.
I'll be in touch when I get my PM put in.
Polly

Me too

by Minnesota - 2011-02-26 11:02:29

I recently found out I have bradycardia and will need a pacemaker. I am rather freaked out by this turn of events as I am an other wisely healthy, active 53 yo. I am taking a bit of time to process this news relying on an asthma drug to give me a few extra bpms. It is a bandaid until I can come to terms with the inevitable. Plus it has allowed me a bitnof time to get a few things taken care of prior to the surgery. How is the surgery and recovery? How do you really feel afterwards? How long until you could swim? Does the unit "stick out" of the chest? How big is it? Can you feel the leads? I have so many questions. I barely know where to begin. Thanks for any support you may have to offer.

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