A new member!

After 27 years in the military, and 16 years at a major university I have entered a new challenge...a pacemaker.

For the past 5 years I was diagnosed with tachycardia. This month I have been diagnosed with Tachy Brady Syndrome. On December 10, 2012 I had to have a Medtronic pacemaker installed since my heart had decended from tachycardia to flatline three times in a row within 90 minutes in the ER. I guess that makes me officially a member of the Pacemaker Club!

All in all, I feel a lot better, but of course the alternative of being deceased did not appeal to me. I had great medical treatment, and my wife is much happier. I may have a stroke when the bill arrives.

As I prepare to have my first after Pacemaker implant appointment next Tuesday and learning to adjust with my new motorized friend in my chest, here is my question.......'

Are there any old veterans that can give me some hints, suggestions or advice on how to adjust to the pacemaker: Maybe some "tricks" of the trade or pointers on what I can and cannot do?

I am looking forward to the college football bowl games.

Thanks in advance!

KapunaKane-Florida

4 Comments

Welcome

by ElectricFrank - 2012-12-15 03:12:51

Once you get past the recovery stage, you should be able to do most anything your overall physical condition lets you do. The main limiting thing during the first 3-8 weeks, depending on your cardiologist is to avoid raising the pacer side arm above shoulder level. This puts a pull on the leads and in rare cases can detach one from the heart wall.

One thing to keep in mind is that a pacer can only add beats to your HR so it won't help the tachy problem. It does well at preventing the Brady though.

I'm 82 yrs and still run around the desert in my Jeep as well as hiking around old mines. I've had mine since 2004 with a replacement for battery depletion in 2010. I once tripped on a rock while photographing something in the desert. I landed with my large camera between the pacer and the ground. Both survived just fine and all I got out of it was a bruised place on my chest and damaged dignity.

best,

frank

welcome tot his club kane

by jessie - 2012-12-15 05:12:49

be assured this is a good site to have found. my recovery six years ago was uneventful except for extreme exhaustion for awhile due to lack of oxygen for several weeks prior to finding the problem. as problems arise if they do do ask questions. i am 71 now and have ahd this since i was 64 so i can honestly say that it saved my life and i am enjoying each day i have.just keep as frank says your arms down for six weeks so healing of the leads can occur. look for karen amirault's posts about pacemakers. it is very informative. welcome to the pacemaker club. we have some great support here plus lots of laughs from day to dya. jessie p.s. go to search at the top and type in karens name. she recently posted the info

Tricare?

by Bill T - 2012-12-15 07:12:09

Don't you have Tricare or Tricare for Life? After 27 years in the militarily you should be retired. I did 20 years in the Navy and now have Tricare for Life & Medicare. I've had 2 pacemakers and various other problems and have very little out of pocket medical expenses.

Hope the bills don't put you into shock. LOL

Bill T

Bill T

by KapunaKane - 2012-12-20 08:12:19

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I have Medicare and TRICARE for Life. Although retired from the U. S. Army, I did work for the Navy Department for 6 years while I attended graduate school. Also, my father was retired from the U. S. Navy and my son is retired from the Marine Corps. In 1960 the Army gave me a cot, three hot meals (most of the time), and a gun...a career made in heaven.

After this surprising challenge in my life (PM), I will fight this and learn to adapt. I thank God everyday for my wife rushing me to the hospital in the nick of time, or I would not be presently in this world.

I am also thankful in finding this website about living with a pacemaker. It provides a lot of information, especially to a "newbee" like myself.

Again, thanks for your reply.

KapunaKane




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