New Member checking in

I'm a new member....just one week ago had a real quick trip to Dr's...who immediately sent me to hospital for a pacemaker! I had no idea what a pacemaker is for and surely didn't know I had a problem! The nurse on CCU filled me in all about hers and just got it 2 months ago....Put me very much at ease awaiting my time for surgery. She also told me I must join a group online called the Pacemaker Club and here I am.

I had a Pacemaker Check on Thursday...all doing well. Yesterday I had an appt with my GP and found my blood pressure quite high which has been kept 114/63 and in that range for 15 years. Now it is 167/110. She immediately gave me a new prescription for a Beta Blocker and told me if it goes down keep taking one and if it doesn't...take 2! She said the one I was taking wasn't working. An hour and a half after taking one of the new ones, my BP dropped to 147/82. Everyone keeps telling me about a "New Woman," but I don't think she's shown up yet. Wonder when she'll show up?

14 Comments

Welcome!

by TalkinCardio - 2013-06-15 03:06:17

If you had to have a PM, I'm glad you found us! There is a lot of wisdom and experience here and laughs. One week isnt long, you are probably still a little sore and tired. Give it some more time.

Why do you need your PM? How ironic and nice for you that you had a nurse who also had a pm and could give you some comforting about the surgery and a great group to join.

Cathy

Thanks Cathy

by ms.shalimar - 2013-06-15 03:06:22

Hi Cathy,

The entire staff at Citrus Memorial in CCU were fantastic! I was terrified and still don't know what is next.

I do see the Cardiologist next week and will get more information. From what I understand it is a blocked left bundle branch. The Dr and staff in surgery were also unbelievable! Everything happened so fast I didn't even see it! They gave me a PM2210 St Jude. I am supposed to have a monitor called a Merlin which has been ordered.

I am feeling wonderful...doing just about everything. Told 100 times not to reach over my shoulder at least! :-)

Thank you for responding....know I can find answers here...

Connie

Welcome to the club

by cans624 - 2013-06-15 04:06:58

I have had a pacer 10 years already due to an ablation now I have bradycardia it's was unexpected I thought everything would be fine after the ablation but my heart was only going 40 after that I didn't even know what a pacemaker was it took my a long time to get use to it being in my body but now I only know its there when I bump it there is a lot of helpful people on this site it helped me cope with a lot of things going on with my heart !!

Watch the Blood Pressure...

by ms.shalimar - 2013-06-15 07:06:22

Thanks Angry Sparrow. After yesterday, I am paying close attention. Will check the BP at the store tomorrow. and have already order one of our own thru Amazon and it will be here Tuesday. Surprised it jumped up but I guess if you fool around with something....can cause change. I feel better today than yesterday when high reading discovered. Appreciate the advise.

re:incomplete story

by ms.shalimar - 2013-06-16 01:06:18

Hi Don,

I started taking HP meds in1998. Started having wierd feelings and light head called Dr. Was on vacation in Hawaii and told to go to urgent care. They did an EKG
when BP was 189/110. Was on that one for quite awile, but couldn't stay awake. Mentioned to GP and she said "you came with it and was doing well so I left it." At that time we started trying BP meds to find one that wouldn't make me cough. Finally Atacand HCT 32-12.5MG did the trick and been on them for almost 15 years. Then the GP changed them as she said the ones I was taking were not working anymore.

I am feeling pretty good. Just did BP at the store and it was 86/61. Not sure how accurate but better than it was.

I have had a PM check at the Cardio Center one week after I received it. All is well...I will see my Cardio on Thursday...2 wks after my implantation. I'm sure my questions and concerns will be answered.

Thanks again to all...I do appreciate all of the suggestions and comments I've gotten on the list.

Welcome

by ms.shalimar - 2013-06-16 02:06:15

:-) Thanks...am trying. Definately not lifting the arm. Appears to be the most important rule.

Suggest trying a BP cuff...

by donr - 2013-06-16 02:06:34

...other than at store - notoriously inaccurate. Whoops - went back & saw that you have ordered one from Amazon.

W/ a BP of 86/61 I'm surprised you are awake. That's pretty low.

Don

Welcome aboard Connie.......

by Tattoo Man - 2013-06-16 02:06:51


.......................I am with Cathy here..so fortunate that your nurse mentioned PM Club.

Take it easy...do / don't do all the things that you have been told and it will be just fine. Keep active but don't lift that arm !

Best wishes from the UK

Tattoo Man

BP Cuff

by ms.shalimar - 2013-06-16 02:06:58

Will be here tomorrow. I will keep a record to take to the Cardio on Thursday. I also will take the machine with me to the visit to compare with his.

I am feeling fine. Not tired at all. Have found I am sleeping thru the nite which I have had problems with for years. Up around 3 for a couple of hrs..and back to bed. Not since I got the PM.

Connie

Incomplete story

by donr - 2013-06-16 08:06:14

Connie: You mentioned HBP & being given a Beta Blocker for it. Yet, you talked like you have had if for a while "...it has been kept at 114/63...for 15 yrs" So how did you keep it there - meds?

Why a beta blocker - that is not usually the first line of defense against HBP - it tends to induce Bradycardia & is given when your heart NEEDS to be slowed down. The instruction to take two if the first one doesn't work also sounds a bit draconian! Those things can have some wicked side effects that are disconcerting at best.

To give you an idea how powerful they are, look at what one did in 90 min.

BTW - that "New Woman" you are looking for may be hidden in the haze of Beta Blocker side effects.

You didn't really tell us how you feel at this point.

Do you NOT have a cardio that is going to be responsible for the care & monitoring of the PM? The average GP is NOT the one to do this chore.

You need to coordinate the BP meds use w/ whoever monitors the PM - especially beta blockers - they also affect heart rate & arrhythmias.

Don

hi

by KathyB - 2013-06-17 11:06:26

Hey there. So glad you joined. I am glad that I got to put you at ease with your pacemaker. I just giggled when I read your post. I love reading all the posts. It really helps me understand my situation more. Even a nurse can learn so much from people who have experience. I check in almost everyday and when I can try to help others. Watch your Blood pressure. I am sure your GP will take good care of you. Did I tell you she is also my GP? Catch you on this site.

Hi & welcome

by ms.shalimar - 2013-06-18 03:06:29

Hi Lubro...thank you for good advise. Do have a question now that I finally got my BP Cuff. BP is coming up good every time but the pulse is staying everytime at 141. I believe my PM is set for 60. Mixed a batch of cookies today and had to take a break...Do get a little winded now and then. Cause for alarm or normal???? Thanks
Connie

re:Hi KathyB

by ms.shalimar - 2013-06-18 07:06:32

Oh boy, am I happy to see you on here. You were right, I needed to join Pacemaker Club. So many questions left unanswered, finding many answers here.

Time to Whine...and I'm not a Whiner!

I had my first PM check?? Sat in the big Green Chair and talked to lady. Come back in 4 weeks. If PM was checked I don't know how...Saw GP..BP is very high...get new pills, yours aren't working. Come back in 4 weeks...

Now my pulse rate is high...I think, even resting. I believe my PM is set at 60. When I do a check it is about 120. Is that ok? Do I need to call or Who do I call?? GP, PM Center, or Cardio? I don't want to keep bugging any of them if it isn't necessary.

I finally called the Center with my concern, and she said not to worry.

Got new pills, BP down...pharm gave me generic! Major problem with pills..severe diarrhea 3 times.

Called Pharm to check...said given generic by mistake! Bring back & will change today Worried about change. Says not to stop..need to get off gradually. Does it make a difference since they are the same kind?

OK, done with Whining...you get just one and I am done.

Otherwise doing good. Out to dinner with friends, grocery shopping, Kids over for dinner, light household duties, etc. Back to making Porcelain Buttons for Collectors and carding my antique & collectible buttons. Lots to do...DO take breaks in between...then move along again.

Connie

just saying hi and welcome...

by lubro - 2013-06-18 09:06:51

to The Club... Great advice from your nurse for you to visit here...
I'm sorta new, but you are in good company here... Lots of wonderful, helpful, caring people...sounds like you'll do just fine... I have learned sooo much in my short time here...you realize very quickly that you are not alone, and just knowing that is a blessing in disguise...
take it slow... let your body heal... you seem to have a good attitude, which is very helpful in the healing process...
keep smiling :)...


Lubro

You know you're wired when...

Born to be Wired is your theme song.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.