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I'm scared
- by artandy24
- 2012-12-30 05:12:16
- General Posting
- 3271 views
- 12 comments
Hello,
My name is Andy and I'm 24 years old. This past weekend I went in to see my doctor to discuss some results from a heart monitoring test I did in the beginning of December. The test showed that there were periods where my heart rate dropped to 41bpm and then would shoot back up to 173bpm. My personal physician is very concerned and is sending me to a cardiologist this upcoming week. My doctor wants me to stay down and take it easy until I can see the cardiologist. She told me that a pacemaker will most likely be an option.
I'm scared. I don't know who to talk too. I've tried talking to my family and partner and all they can is "everything will be okay".
I'm scared of the tests I'm going to have to undergo soon. I'm scared of what my life will be like if I need to get a pacemaker.
I feel alone and scared. I don't know where to turn...
12 Comments
I wish you all the best !
by Eni - 2012-12-30 04:12:54
Hello Andy ! ( forgive me for my english )
To be scared it is normal , I've 1 month i did implanted my PM..
I am 29 year old , my heart had started to forget to beat ( 33 - 40 beats ) thanks God I was living without worries till the day I had a visit because I felt strong beats, I too was told to have a PM,
Before taking it, i did have visits to all of cardiologist I knew and members of the pacemakerclub have been a big help too ( Tracey ,Don , Blake etc,, thnx to all ) ,,, here you can have an answer to all of your worries.....
As a result I implanted the PM, not that i was feeling tired or something but all the cardiologist I meet told me that sooner I have one better it is for my heart. I was born with a heart block and my heart was getting tired day by day.
I hope you wont need a PM... ( not that it is a bad thing , i have my PM and I feel great ,,,, belive me i know very well what's going on , on your mind,,,, )
I can suggest you to have a visit to some cardiologist , just to be sure what to do.... some time even doctors make mistakes,, a friend of mine months ago had some serious problems with his heart but after a few days he got normal just taking medicine ......
So take care of your self,,, and hope you will be fine
Good luck
Worry about it when time comes
by golden_snitch - 2012-12-30 06:12:23
Hi Andy,
I can understand that you are scared. Sometimes doctors are a bit hasty with their statements regarding diagnosis/treatment. I'd wish your doctor had held back that statement about the need of a pacemaker until the diagnosis is clear.
I'd wait and see what the cardio says, and maybe you also need to see a cardio who specializes in heart rhythm disorders, a so-called electrophysiologist. Your doctor probably mentioned a pacemaker as it could prevent your heart rate from dropping to 41bpm. Sounds a bit like what you are experiencing is a vasovagal syncope without actually passing out. But it's a bit strange that you go into tachycardia (fast heart rate) afterwards. So, one will have to carefully examine what's happening there; the pacemaker won't be able to treat the fast heart rate.
I won't go into the tests you'll probably have to have - worry about it when time comes, a friend of mine often says. It does not make sense at this point to explore and discuss the possibilities, because that could lead to you worrying about something that, in the end the cardio does not even want you to have. So, let's see what kind of tests he orders, and then we'll all be happy to share our experiences about these tests with you. For now, all I want to say is that most tests for heart rhythm disorders are non-invasive and do not hurt. Who knows, maybe the cardio does not even need any other than the monitor you had - some arrhythmias are easy to diagnose. And about the possible pacemaker implant: I got mine when I was 18 years old, am 31 now. I lead a normal life with it. There is really not much that changed. A pacemaker is not there to hold you back, it's there to enable you to lead a normal life. But, as I said before, worry about this when time comes. Right now, it's not even said that you really need the pacemaker.
May I ask what kind of symptoms you had, so what made you see your doctor and get the holter monitor?
Best wishes
Inga
Let'sTalk!
by donr - 2012-12-30 08:12:42
So, you're scared. W/i certain limits, the younger you are. the scareder you get!
At 24 you think you are indestructible &will live forever. The Dr. just stuck a pin in your balloon! You really are mortal!
The responses you are getting from everyone else are typic al of the responses you get from people who don't have the problem & haven't the foggiest idea what you are going through! They aren't facing uncertainty & fear.
Your PCP let you down! She should have told you what her concerns were & given you a chance to ask questions.
Will it help you any if people w/ PM's tell you everything will most likely be OK????? At least we have all been where you are now. At least we speak from knowledge & experience!
To the uninitiated, the jargon of the heart world is both inpenetrable & scary, when, in reality, the problems they describe are often easily correctable. Often w/ a PM.
You might give us a bit more info, like Inga asked for. Kinda hard to give answers when we have incomplete data to start.
So, relax for now. What you have told us so far is NOT scary to us. But if you have specific questions, ask away & you'll get answers that are better than arm-waving generalities & feel good platitudes.
Don
welcome!
by Tracey_E - 2012-12-30 09:12:22
I'm so glad you found us!! You can talk to us, we get it. First let me say, scared is normal! Who wouldn't be afraid when they're first told their heart isn't as healthy as they thought it was? And your family telling you it will be ok is also normal, they want everything to be ok so subconsciously I think we all say that hoping to make it so. No one wants to see a loved one face a challenge, that is a scared person's response.
I was your age when I first needed a pm, also, only that was 20+ years ago and there was no internet to go learn more or talk to others who have been there. I was petrified and felt very alone. Unlike you, my problem is congenital so it was always a matter of when, not if, I'd need the pm. In the end, it turned out the surgery was easier than I expected and I was left feeling better than I ever imagined. Now I'm 46, I'm healthy, active, and I see the pm as one of the best things that ever happened to me. It doesn't hold me back, it keeps me feeling good and most of the time I forget it's there. I hope you don't need one, but if you do, know that it's not the end of the world. No one wants one, but many of us have them and we deal, even thrive. We heal, we adjust, then we get back to life.
What tests are they talking about? It sounds like you've already had the monitor, which is the main one. Most of the others are non-invasive and fast. If you get some specifics, we can tell you what to expect.
It's a shame your dr jumped to conclusions and scared you. Yes, it's possible a pm could help you, but at this point that seems very premature to assume that's where you're headed.
Why did you get the monitor, what symptoms were you having? Were you doing anything when you shot up to 170's?
Good luck to you. Please come to us with your questions or when you just want to vent.
I was scared too!
by Many Blessings - 2012-12-30 11:12:02
Hi Artandy24,
I'm so sorry your scared right now. Don't get to freaked out until you get a good diagnosis on what is going on, and why it is going on. Sometimes, medication can help ease these types of symptoms. Other times, certain procedures or surgery can help. If not, you may need some type of PM (pacemaker), and there are many types out there.
Thank God you found this site! I did not, before I received my PM. I like you was so scared, anxious, pissed, etc., and I was used to dealing with this "stuff" because I've had heart problems, heart surgeries, etc., since the day I was born (I'm 52 now). I can't imagine how you feel when you just got hit with it without warning at your age. You're going to be okay though, I'm sure of it. Take some deep breaths and read all of our responses. You're going to feel MUCH calmer, I swear!
You're going to get a ton of responses back and each one is going to help calm your mind, I promise. You are not alone in this, and all of us will follow your progress and help you through it, okay? If you feel a connection with any of us, feel free to private message us.
You know, just knowing someone else is out there going through the same thing, or went through the same thing, is enough to help ease your mind. Your family, friends, and even your doctors can in no way understand what you're going through. Unless they've been through this, they have absolutely no clue. They can try, but they just don't know. They feel helpless too. They don't know what to do or say to help you not be scared.
You will most likely go through a number of tests, monitoring, etc. before any kind of decision and/or suggestion is made to put in a PM. My tests were all easy and painless. You will most likely need to see an EP doc (electrophysiologist) like Snitch said earlier. This doc specializes in our types of heart problems (the electrical stuff.)
Make sure you understand everything that's being told to you, get the pros and cons, and without fail, get a second, and even a third opinion to see if a PM is an only option if it comes to that. Trust me, you cannot ask enough questions to your doctors, nurses, and us.
Search this site (top right of site) with your questions (use key words) and always post your questions so all of us can help you. No matter what type of heart problem you have, someone else out here has the same thing, or at least close to it. And, all of us have felt your fear at one time or another. We do understand.
There are SO many different kinds of PMs and procedures done to put in a PM. Some are temporary and some are permanent. Some are only used "some" of the time, when others are used 100% of the time. Some of us are 100% dependent and cannot survive without our PMs, and again, others just use it on an "as needed" basis. All are just as important and no less scary to those that have them.
Keep posting more questions, even if it's just you needing to talk to someone. We're all here for you. Feel free to private message me, or anyone else you feel can help you.
Keep us posted on what's going on with you, because now we're all watching you. LOL! We all care about you!
Good luck with your upcoming appointments and any tests you have to have. We're all behind you! :)
Don't worry!
by owls__ - 2012-12-30 12:12:21
Hello,
I'm 15 and i just recently got an ICD which I think you go through the exact same things as getting a pacemaker. My Doctor also told me that a pacemaker/ICD could be a likely option and said he'd let me know over the next few weeks/months.
I also felt really nervous and scared because I thought it was going to have a massive effect on my life and I also had exams coming up. When it came to actually getting one there aren't really many tests you have to do (well i didn't anyway). I had the same old ECG's done and they just had to do this really short exercise test to determine which ICD was suitable. After that I was made to stay in hospital a few days until i got it done because i wasn't "stable" until i had an ICD/Pacemaker.
Usually you only stay for about 2 days and you're free to
go home :) They also advised me to take 1 week off school.
So really there's no tests to be afraid off! It's supposed to change your life for the better and it may take some time to adjust to it (currently the phase i'm going through) but after that it should be fine!
If you have any questions or concerns i'm more than happy to talk just inbox me, good luck! x
kowledge is power
by jeanlancour - 2012-12-31 12:12:12
At your finger tips you have a way to find out what each test is and does. Ask your dr what tests he is thinking about, why, what does the test show. How is the test done. Take your partner with you, you need someone with you to hear every thing that is said, when we get upset we miss things. When your home you can look things up. You can come here and ask questions, discuss all of this with not ony your partner, but family and friends also. With a large support group there is usually someone to talk to , our internal discussions often get us worried and fearful. Were a pack animal. Take care.
Knowledge is power No 2
by Tattoo Man - 2013-01-01 02:01:30
jean is spot on here. As you live in the UK dont forget that you should have a direct line to your Pacemaker Dept at your Hospital. British Heart Foundation also have a help line
0300 330 3311
more info on bhf.org.uk
Happy new Year !! Tattoo Man , just back from Chelmsford seeing in the New Year......What about those Fireworks then in London ??
Apologies !!
by Tattoo Man - 2013-01-01 02:01:43
Andy, forgive my Senior Moment here.
Amongst my qualities. Old Stupid and Ugly are the only ones that I can really own up to..
Stupid is the attribute that most will credit me with.
Happy New Year though !
Tattoo Man
I know the feeling
by SensitiveSue - 2013-01-05 03:01:02
Dear ArtAndy24,
On Dec, 28 and 29 I was on my treadmill working out and feeling fine...December 30, 2012 at 4:15am I went to the ER because my heart was acting strange and I passed out and hit the floor. As my Heart rate went up my heart rhythm got weird and then the rate dropped like a rock. i was admitted to one hospital, saw a cardiologist who ordered a stress test, then stopped it within 2 minutes. I was moved by ambulance to another hospital, had a heart catheterization done, sat around the hospital on Jan 1 stressing out and found this site which helped me tremendously. On Jan 2 had a two lead pacemaker implanted, the Jan 3 came home. So, while I am 53, I have always been in good health and still thought I was "invincible". I totally understand how you feel, as I was there just a few days ago...but already on the mend
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It's Normal to be scared
by Grateful Heart - 2012-12-30 01:12:41
Most of us were. It is all new to you and a shock to hear the possiblility of needing a pacemaker, especially at your age. But, as you read more on this site, the age range for pacemaker/ ICD hosts is from birth to 90 something.
Take it a step at a time and go through the needed tests to determine just what is going on with your heart. Knowledge is power so if you do need a pacemaker, you and your partner should read and learn all you can on this site and on the device makers site such as Boston Scientific and Medtronic. Your partner and family are scared for you right now too, but they are trying to reassure you. By learning more about it, you can reassure them and yourself.
I did not know about this site and the wonderful, caring people on it when I needed my ICD. I wish I had, it would have helped a great deal at the time. I think most of us felt alone and scared in the beginning...it's the unknown. The more I learned about it, the more I eased my families concerns and they became more relaxed and supportive.
Good luck and keep us posted. Ask any questions...we'll get you through it.
Grateful Heart