New pacemaker

Just checked into hospital for monitoring. Want to Dr's office earlier b/c of dizziness, shortness of breath. Dr told me to check into hospital for monitoring. Said will probably need a pacemaker. I jog/bike 4 - 5 times a week. So..I'm bummed about it. Still trippin over the news. Glad to hear that you can still work with pacemaker. Any tips on getting started once I get pacemaker?

7 Comments

roll with it

by Tracey_E - 2013-08-30 09:08:41

The best tip I can give you is to go into it with a positive attitude. Studies prove over and over that positive attitudes heal faster. You will still be able to jog and bike after, possibly with more stamina than you do now depending how long you've needed the pm.

I found that learning as much as I could about my condition and how the pm works made me much more comfortable with everything. I'm on my 4th one now, got my first one almost 20 years ago. There is nothing I can't do that I want to do and I'm in the best shape of my life. Most of the time I forget it's there. It's just a part of me. Heal and move on!

Here are some good animations that explain the most common reasons for needing a pm, and how the pm works
http://health.sjm.com/arrhythmia-answers/videos-and-animations

Do you know specifically what your diagnosis is? Assuming you are otherwise healthy and the pm fixes your problem, you can do aerobic exercise as soon as you feel up to it. I was walking the day I was released from the hospital. We need to keep the left arm down (assuming it's implanted on the left side) and not lift anything heavy for 6 weeks. Other than that, go for it (with dr's permission, of course).

If you have any questions at all about the surgery, recovery or living with a pm, ask away! We've all been there and will help you any way we can.

Make sure your surgeon knows in advance that you are active. It can affect the choice of pm and where they put it.

Just take it easy.

by Moner - 2013-08-30 11:08:47

H Rubrdz,

Tracey summed it all up, just roll with it, as best as you can. It comes as a shock to most of us here.

I had my pacemaker installed 1/2012 and couldn't wait to get back out there jogging. I waited 5 days before I went out there full steam ahead.

I'm glad you found this terrific website, Tracey has helped me out, she's a champ here.

I wish you well and let us know your outcome.

Activity

by Bostonstrong - 2013-08-31 01:08:05

It will be easier for you with the pacemaker. You will get more oxygen and have more stamina. Got mine June 27th, really struggled with a half marathon I did 4 days prior to surgery. Had to back off running for a very short time only because I was on vacation a week later and they had a heat wave, about 100 degrees. So I walked instead. My shin splints resolved during my down time. Restarted at 1 mile when I got home, up to 11 miles now. Best of luck, you will be back kicking asphalt before you know it.

Agree with Tracey

by KAG - 2013-08-31 12:08:37

The only thing that I'd emphasise is to get to know more about your PM. What type, and the mode and settings. When you have a PM interrogation get a copy of the data report. It will have all this, and more, info. The people on this site can help you to understand it. Knowing what your condition is and why you're getting the PM is also helpful.

When you first get your PM they typically use settings that are OK for average users. Since you are more active you may need to have some fine tuning done. It's very easy for them to tweak your PM settings. They often set the upper tracking rate to low for those who are active.

I had my PM installed in June and am back to all my activities and don't even think about it to much anymore.

Keep us posted and all the best
Kathy

Many thanks

by rubrdz - 2013-09-01 02:09:52

Thank you all for the tips. Definitely feel much better about it. Informed my Dr, and he is also aware that I want to keep being active. Will be getting out there in the next couple of days. Planning to run/walk for a week, see how I feel. Then start increasing intensity. Thanks again....peeps. Thank you for all the information, Tracey. God Bless...everybody.

Got pacemaker yesterday

by rubrdz - 2013-09-04 11:09:25

Just as the title says. Got my pacemaker put in. Pretty sore right now. Have to keep my arm at my side for the next couple of days. My kids are pretty uneasy about it, and are kinda nervous about it. I'm not happy about it, But, it is what it is. Gotta keep positive about it....right now ...more for them than for me. Yes, I'm nervous about working out right now. Actually I'm pretty bummed about it. Have to go through the motions right now...again...more for my kids than anything else. Planning to walk starting Friday because the instruction was to keep incision dry for the 1st couple of days, and it's pretty hot here in south Texas. Pretty bummed, but gotta drive on. Guess we will see how it reacts.

Recovery

by LeeT - 2013-09-06 10:09:44


Your heart sent you a message listen to it, your body is fit and you have great endurance but your heart is not quite there. Listen to your dr, things change after your PM it's not over it's just different.

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