New memeber scared for PM surgergy

I am 36 and scheduled to have my first pm placed in this coming monday...I have fought for 2 years with bradycardia in low 30's and 40's and arrythmia. I have also had numerous more than I can count passing out episodes. I have had ongoing liteheadedness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, leg weakness and extreme fatigue issues. Over the years I have seen several cardiac and electro specialists and they have decided I need a pacemaker. I have lost 50% of my lifestyle. I can't drive, work, can't complete housework, grocery shopping, go swimming with my kids with out feeling like I'm going to pass out and getting lite headed. I'm so glad I found this support site. So my question is for as scared as I am. Any of you that are as young or younger than me that have experienced the same thing and got a pm did u feel better after you got ur pm and able to get back to some of your normal daily activities in life after you recovered from your pm surgery...I hope someone replys...because I'm honestly scared and miss being a mom to my kids, a wife to my husband and enjoy my career as on OT again! I just want some of my life back and tired of fighting this chronic fatigue., nausea from dizziness and constant feeling like crap! Any good feedback?

14 Comments

I am 53

by dad4dds - 2013-08-22 01:08:34

I had my first pacer placed in 2009 at age 49. I was able to resume doing all the things as before. I am retired and I do all the shopping,cooking and such. I had other heart issues that did not allow me to keep working (law enforcement). But I enjoy camping and bowling hiking.
Good luck Brian

New lease on life

by KathyB - 2013-08-22 03:08:06

Hi, I am older than you 59 when I got my pacemaker but my heart rate was in the 30's. I am back to work. (nurse in critical care unit. 1 month after implant). I was able to shower 3 days after so I didn't feel too grungy with short lived sink baths. I have more energy, working out on the treadmill and have even lost some weight. You will be back to your normal self just having a new member of your body. Good luck, we will all be thinking of you and let us know how it goes.

A Happy Monday !!

by donb - 2013-08-22 03:08:26

I am also Happy to have you join this site. As your upcoming surgery will give you great joy when you recover & fortunetly many of us icluding myself have a very positive effect on our lives. I was somewhat older when I got my pacemaker in 1992 having similar heart problems as you are now having, only not quite as disabled as you describe.
Actually my activities slowed so gradually that I was not aware & thinking it was my "old age" of 62. "Denial" is more of a description.
You should have a real boost of energy & get rid of most of your discomforts & handicaps after your heart's recovery. I have been very active all my life, no drinking or smoking which probaly helped into getting me feeling like age 35 at actual age 62.
I inherited a positive attitude from my mother which helped her through all her 101 years & does a good job for me.
Maybe too much so !! As I'm on my 6th pacemaker because I'm too active, even now at age 81. So, here's hoping that your pacemaker will also give you "The Ride of Your Life"
DonB

You will feel better

by michaelmohan@comcast.net - 2013-08-22 06:08:49

Hi- I am 44 years old and received my pacemaker on August 31 , 2012. So it will be a year coming up. I had the same issues as you did. For two years I was seeing Doctors and couldn't be myself without every one being worried about me, my kids and husband, always checking up on me. Worried about driving and being fatigued all the time. My heartrate was in the 30's and would stop whenever for 10- 15 seconds. I was told I had to get a pacemaker and it scared me, a lot. I cant tell how big of a difference it has made. I feel great. I don't have to have people always watching me , I can do things by myself and I workout like I used to , doing bootcamps and running. I know it is scary, but it has made a world of difference. I wish you the best!!

scared is normal

by Tracey_E - 2013-08-22 10:08:15

No one wants a pm and it's perfectly normal to be scared! I found the surgery was not as bad as I had built it up to be in my head, and I came out of it feeling better than I ever expected. My hr and symptoms were similar to yours. I was 27 when I got my first one, that was in 1994. I felt immediately better and still feel great! There's a good chance you will too as all the symptoms you named are part of a low hr.

I am healthy and active. There is nothing I want to do that I cannot. I'm a girl scout leader and regularly take a dozen teenagers camping, last week we did paintball, last spring we did a treetop zipline course. I hike or ski most vacations. I do Crossfit 5 mornings a week. I'm in better shape than most of my friends with normal hearts.

Do you know what is causing the brady?

Welcome

by kmom - 2013-08-22 10:08:45

I don't know if you saw my prior post on another thread but just wanted to say welcome. Prayers will be with you and let us know how you do. I've got some of the same issues and will be seeing my dr. next Friday We'll see what he says as I'm getting into the 30's 40's and 50's with my heart rate too on these meds. and i'm still having occasional bust thru tach so I maybe looking at a PM as well--my dr has forewarned me. I just want to get to feeling better as well.

Welcome

by Grateful Heart - 2013-08-22 11:08:01

You have gotten many "2nd" opinions and great advice with experiences from all above.

Any surgery is scary but especially surgery of the heart. Tracey is right, the buildup in your head is worse than the surgery itself.

You will most likely feel so much better with most of those symptoms gone. You need to be able to function again....for yourself and your family.

Monday will be behind you shortly and then recovery will begin.

Learn all you can about your device and condition and then educate your family and friends. Knowledge is power and it will help to ease your mind and theirs.

You will be fine and feel much better than you do now.

Keep us posted and if you have any questions, ask away!

Grateful Heart

Hi

by coppertop - 2013-08-22 12:08:41

Welcome, as you can see from the above comments you came to the right site. it is very natural to be scared and concerned. once your device is implanted and you have recovered. your life is about to get so much better!!!

Welcome

by jeanlancour - 2013-08-22 12:08:47

I'm just coming in here to welcome and reassure you, that yes--you will get your life back. I am almost twice your age and it made a world of difference to me. There are people in this forum your age and younger, some have had their PM for many years. I am sure you will be hearing from some of them--saying GO GIRL what you waiting for, most if not all of your issues can be taken care of with a PM. It is not a walk in the park, but is not passing out in your soup either, It takes some healing time and maybe tweaking the PM until you find where you want to be. Put the fear behind you, you are not going to be in terrible pain our terrible discomfort. I had a worse time getting a tooth pulled. Do talk to your family about it, get the children into the whole experence, they, husband and you will be more comfortable with the whole experence if your all on the same page. In 6 months you'll be a new person, don't expect to be the same person you were, you've lived a lot of life sence this all started. Best to you all. Jean

Pacemaker selection

by PacerRep - 2013-08-23 08:08:52

Since you are so young, I would reccommend you push for the device that currently has the longest battery life. You will have several changeouts over your lifetime so if you can get a battery that lasts 10 years vs. one that lasts 7years...it will save you a couple surgeries over your lifetime.

Currently the Sorin pacemakers have the strongest batteries. (pacemakers, not defibrillators). The model is a "Reply". Don't let them use an "Espirit".

You will need to speak to your cardiologist BEFORE you go to the hospital. You need to make sure they are on contract at the hospital your going to. If you have to drive an hour to a different hospital, it would be worth your while.

Just my opinion. Older patients it doesn't matter quite as much.

New PM

by frankc - 2013-08-25 10:08:16

I just got my pacemaker last Monday so it is fresh with me. I was nervous like you. I did ok though. I heard them say put me out and the woke up in recovery. It took a few days to get over the anesthetic so was tired. Now I feel fine and better than I have in a long time. Sure the incision is still sore but overall doing well. You will so glad after it is over.

youll be fine im sure...

by robo-ver - 2013-08-28 07:08:38

By now, you've had your surgery and feeling sore, but hopefully feeling better. I'm 29 had my pacemaker in may, its taken some adjustments (going back n to be tweaked this pm) but I'm feeling better! Back to school on Monday after summer holidays and being off work a while.....let's see how I cope with the kids!
Best of luck to you and i wish you a speedy recovery.
Robo-ver x

thanks for support!!

by janellcape_cdh - 2013-09-02 06:09:16

All I can say is Wow what a difference!! I got through surgery and family and friends said they saw an immediate difference night and day in me!! I feel pretty good no dizzy spells and not so much fatigue I have actually stayed up a full day with family and enjoyed their company. At home taking it easy. I did have bad reaction to some pain meds at hospital but besides that I'm doing grreat. I honestly can't believe the difference. The first few days home I wad droggy and had really bad headaches I assume from meds from surgery because they have lightened up as week went on. I do have question for those that have pm..did u have any significant nerve pain or trouble with arm pm side was placed on? Is this weakness and pain/swelling get better as time goes on? Just curious if my arm is supposed to be so sore all the way down to my fingers? Well let me know! I have first week dr checkup tomorrow and will keep you all posted!! Thanks for sharing your stories and for the support!!

Glad to hear

by kmom - 2013-09-03 11:09:20

Glad to hear from you although I had to "dig" to find it. You might try a new thread to let everyone know how you're doing. I'm glad you're doing better take it easy for a few days if you need to.

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.