Pacemaker Dying?

I'm just waiting on a ride to go to the ER because I feel like my pacemaker is starting to fail. I've had my pacemaker since August 12, 2004, 9 years. My last check-up was in August and I wasn't scheduled to come in until next year in March I believe. I've noticed a slight change as I can feel my natural heart beat ( which is incredibly slow ) more often at night time now, and it takes longer for my pacemaker to respond than normal. I developed panic disorder almost immediately after I even got a pacemaker which believe me, is absolute hell on earth. I have complete congenital third degree heart block, and thus, my heart is completely dependent on my pacemaker. When it slows down even for a few seconds I feel a burning sensation in my chest which isn't good. I really don't think I'm overreacting here and I really could use some advice. I can't believe that I didn't know there was a pacemaker club all these years, geez. I forgot to mention as well that I quit taking birth control for my fear of stroke befalling me sometime in the future, especially with all the stress that I go through lately at home & school, but that I'm also experiencing a lot of shortness of breath. No chest pain though, thank God. Please respond asap someone!~

5 Comments

You're going to the ER

by Grateful Heart - 2012-11-12 09:11:39

so that's good...get checked out. You are doing the right thing.

Let us know how it went.

Grateful Heart

Go Girl

by Bevof NC - 2012-11-12 10:11:15

Be brave .....and let us know how you are as soon as possible! I'll be thinking of and praying for You! Bev of NC

you're doing the right thing!!!

by Pookie - 2012-11-15 06:11:05

i too developed major stress after having my pacer but my experience was very very rare ending up with 5 surgeries and coding twice after initial implant (2004). long story, but im fine now.

PLEASE let us know how you make out when you can.

Thinking about you & wishing the best,
Pookie

It's ok

by Grateful Heart - 2012-11-15 10:11:02

It is better to be safe than sorry. You did the right thing, that's all that matters. They do not know what it is like to live with a pacemaker or ICD. Look at all the Nurses on this site who are "freaked out" by suddenly having a pace maker or ICD in their chest, completely unprepared for the physical and more importantly emotional aspects. (No offense to you Nurses, we love you, but you're human too). Take it one day at a time.

You did the right thing.

Grateful Heart

Well..

by LamentfulMiss - 2012-11-15 12:11:16

It ended up being a panic attack, but obviously I'm going to worry if I've had my medtronic EnPulse 33 for 9 years now. It wasn't even supposed to last this long. And the worst part of all this was how insane they made me look when I even went into the ER for this reason in the first place. Like they know what living with complete heart block, a pacemaker AND panic disorder feels like, honestly!

You know you're wired when...

Titanium is your favorite metal.

Member Quotes

It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.