new & need advice please!

Hi,
Just was told I need a pacemaker. Only 54 and freaked a bit. Have had arhythmia, brady-tachhy, for several years, but first visit to Cardiologist was yesterday. Did have a pass-out accident 4 years ago caused by arrythmia, as best we can tell anyway.Luckily no one was hurt. At the time I was told by family doc that med i was taking likely was causing the arrhythmia. He wrote a note to the DMV stating the same, anad that I was no longer taking the med, and my license was reinstated. Cardiologist told me I should NOT be driving, it was NOT the med, an another spontaneous pass-out could happen anytime - yikes!.
Questions:
1) What are possible complications, risks, downsides of pacemaker, surgery and living with one?
2) Any diet or lifestyle factors that help arrtythmia problems?
3) anthing else to allay my fears?

thanks!

7 Comments

Getting A PM

by SMITTY - 2012-11-20 04:11:51

Hello Jonimo,

In your case I think the advantages far out weigh the disadvantages of getting a pacemaker. You should have no more concern about passing out from a low heart rate. A PM will restrict your daily activities essentially none unless you are into some type contact sports. Now I'm going to stop and suggest that you listen to what other will have to say read this article for some details.

http://www.medtronic.com/patients/bradycardia/device/benefits-and-risks/index.htm

Good luck,

Smitty

I agree with Smitty

by janetinak - 2012-11-20 06:11:21

my problem was a very fast HR so never passed out but others here have had some problems with it. I got PM & no more SOB & fatigue. If you do not have any other underlying medical/heart problems you may not have to do any meds.I remain on Coumadin for Afib to prevent clots. But for me not any big deal.

Hope that helps,

Janet

I agree

by molasses27 - 2012-11-21 01:11:51

I was 20 when I got my first pacemaker (I got my second one 2 months later - I reacted to the stitches they used so it didn't heal properly and had to be taken out and another put in on the other side.) I was diagnosed with total congenital heartblock and was told I needed a PM. I will admit I was pretty upset and for two reasons - 1.I thought only older people needed PMs (misconception) and 2. I used to fight competitively in martial arts and was told I shouldn't anymore in case I was kicked there, but was still allowed to fight with low impact.

I didn't realize my resting HR was going down in the low 20s when I was sleeping, so when I found out that was going on, it was a no-brainer I needed to have this. For me the benefits outweighed anything else. I haven't had to change any lifestyle factors (aside from being in no contact kickboxing instead of sparring). I have a dual chamber PM - 1 paces 100% of the time and the other 27% of the time. I've had mine for 7 years and found out last week I still have 2.5-4 years left. Having a PM is really no big deal. I will admit, randomly when I do stop and actually think about it I do have a 5 minute pity party, but if I never had it who knows what could've happened and most of the time I forget I even have it - it's just a part of you.

Hope that helps!
Melissa:)

No problems mate

by memmons9 - 2012-11-21 08:11:13

I had AFib since I was in my thirties. I took Ameoderone for three years and it worked get to control the AFib until it killed my thyroid. I was taken off the Ameoderone and I went back into 100% AFib. I would nearly blackout walking up a flight of stairs as my resting heartrate was 110. I tried taking meds but they just kept adding meds to counteract the affects of the previous meds. I called a timeout to ask what other solutions there were. I was 51 when they installed the first PM. I have never been sorry. I have seen doctors since that have said that now they do the AFib abatement procedure to solve AFib. But, I have talked to people who have had that done and they both said they went right back into AFib. So, I am 61 now and have just had my second PM installed. I am still not sorry. I can do anything physical that I want (except play contact sport because it really hurts when the PM area gets hit). With the issues you described above, you won't be sorry either. Go for it.

Mike

No problem mate - part 2

by memmons9 - 2012-11-21 08:11:29

Sorry, the word "abatement" above should be "ablation". I didn't address your questions. So here goes.
1. The surgical issues are the same as for any surgery. I was awake for both of my surgeries. The first time I also had the A/V node ablated so that was really two surgeries in one. You may have to do the same considering your description. As I explained, I don't see any downside of having the PM as I do anything I did before. There will be a small bump on your chest that will show with your shirt off. People will ask about it but no big deal.
2. I don't have any lifestyle or diet changes because of the PM. There are plenty of other reasons to change those for the better but not because you have a PM. I already discussed the Afib Ablation procedure. You should find out about it and decide for yourself.
3. Having a PM is no big deal. You will probably get 10 years out of the battery but replacement is an easy 45 minutes on the table talking to the nurses around you. Mine were men but what can you do.
Mike

Thanks much!

by jonimo - 2012-11-22 01:11:01

I so appreciate all the encouragment and stories given. This club is awesome! I will probably return as process unfolds - thnaks again!.
Jonimo

Get the pacemaker

by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-22 01:11:20

They are simple and reliable devices that support the electrical system of your heart. The implant surgery is simple. I've had mine since 2004 and at 82 yrs I'm still very active.

So go for it,

frank

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