Feeling to young

I am 34 yrs old and was just diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome. I am still in a state of shock about it. I have three beautiful kids, 13, 11, and 9. And tonight I get to tell them about this. I am scared I will not be able to see them grow up, graduate, marry and have kids. My heart is breaking for them.
I am changing cardiologists this week and have not discussed a pacemaker except with my family doctor. But I do know that I am tired of feeling like this. I am tire of being sick. I am supposed to be in my prime and I can't even walk up the stairs.

10 Comments

SSS

by cropduster - 2013-09-19 04:09:42

I have SSS as do many on this forum, what makes you think the future is so rubbish. I have a PM, no I don't feel 100% all of the time, but I work full time & get on with life just as before.
As for telling children that young, personally I wouldn't, especially in the frame of mind you seem to be in. They will pick up on your fear.

You will come to realise that there is life after a PM & you'll probably live into old age.

Agreed!!!!

by Casper - 2013-09-19 05:09:08

Hello Texas girl!!!

Be prepared for a slew of comments, SSS is one of the most common reasons why people receive a PM implant.

I agree with Crop duster, I'd hold off awhile be for telling your children, they will probably pick up your fear.

Please don't feel your days are numbered.

Casper

:-)

by CFozzy - 2013-09-19 05:09:22

Hi! I am new to this site and get a defibrillator tomorrow. I just wanted to comment and say hi because I'm from TX, too! I'm 23 and have been sick the past two years with congestive heart failure and Crohn's disease. In the beginning, I was so scared like you are. It felt like a death sentence, especially after losing my mom to the same disease. I can testify that it does get better. I encourage you to talk about your fear and educate yourself. After having been thrown around from doctor to doctor, I've learned to be my own advocate and to KNOW YOUR BODY. I don't have any kids (I actually can't have any due to previous surgeries) so I don't know what you're going through there. But, I was on their side of things: a child with a mother who had a heart condition. My parents didn't tell me every gory detail about her condition but I did know the just of it. I'm so glad that they had taken the time to tell my brother and I. It helped explain why some days she just didn't act like herself. (I was about 10 when she was diagnosed.) Anyways, feel free to message me anytime if you'd like. Us TX gals need to stick together!

Yes

by Texasgirl72315 - 2013-09-19 05:09:58

We have agreed to hold off until we learn more that way when they have questions we will have answers. They know something is wrong they had to go with me when we were rushed to the hospital. I am sorry I was in a state of shock and scared when I wrote the above. I appreciate y'all's comments

take a deep breath

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-19 06:09:22

First of all, what you have has a FIX. That means you are going to get the pm, heal, then move on with your life. There is absolutely no reason to think you won't be there for them. Your heart is structurally healthy, it just has a bit of a wiring issue.

I was 27 when I got my first pm. I had kids after, it never crossed my mind I wouldn't be there to see them grow up. They are 15 and 16 now and I'm on my 4th pm. I am healthy and active, don't look any different from the other women in the pick up line at school or at the gym. I forget about it most of the time. My kids don't think anything of it.

Kids don't think things through like we do, they don't worry about implications and the future. They will follow your lead. If you are nervous and anxious, they will be also. No matter how you feel on the inside, keep up a positive front for them. I can guarantee that telling them about the pm is going to be a RELIEF to them, esp after seeing you rushed to the hospital. They will see this as the answer to mom getting better. Tell them about the surgery in a very matter of fact way. It seems like a big deal but really, it's a very minor surgery. Tell them you will be sore for a little while but within a month or so their old mom will be back. Tell them the very sophisticated computer in the pm is much more dependable than your crazy heart. They'll probably think it's cool.

St Judes has some wonderful animations that explain what SSS is as well as how the pm works. You may want to use them to explain it to the kids.
http://health.sjm.com/arrhythmia-answers/videos-and-animations

If your kids have trouble adjusting or have questions and you think talking to another kid in their shoes will help, my girls are great penpals.

You are too young

by Grateful Heart - 2013-09-19 06:09:38

To be feeling like that. I too have SSS as well as LBBB. I have an ICD (a PM with a defibrillator). The PM will help you feel so much better.

It is a shock to most of us when we learn we need a PM. After all, it is pretty scary when we realize our heart is failing. But we live in a wonderful time with devices that can help us. We are so lucky.

After you see your new Cardiologist and if he confirms you need a PM, then it is time to accept it and learn all you can about your device so you can teach your family about it and ease their minds....as well as yours. That is what I did. Knowledge is power! (I'm still learning of course, there is so much to know).

This is a great place to start. Almost everyone here has been through it and are willing to help.

I'm glad you found us. Ask any questions and you can also do a search above in the upper right hand corner of this site.

It will be ok, the shock wears off and then you can carry on with your life. :-)

Grateful Heart

Welcome

by kmom - 2013-09-19 08:09:46

First I want to say welcome! You found an excellent place to be with lots of amazing informative people here. I too may be dealing with SSS. We're still not entirely sure. But like you just want to feel normal again. I know Iam dealing with PSVT causing a-flutter and also a slow heart rate sometimes as well we are in the process of trying to find out if the slow rates are being brought on by the medication(for the fast rates) or if its something else. I already had 3 sec pauses.. Best of luck to you and keep us updated

Take a deep breath

by rnff2 - 2013-09-20 11:09:11

Stop and take a deep breath...you have something that is fixable and you can live a long and happy life. I have an 8 yr old and I had my 2nd open heart surgery when he was 4 and the pacemaker put it when he was 8. We told him I had to have a doctor fix my heart when I had my surgery. He had to know why mom was going to be gone from home for 5-10 days and why I couldn't pick him up and do the normal mom stuff for awhile after surgery. When I had the pacemaker put in he was all over it. He wanted to know everything about it. We answered his questions and he has delt with it better than I have. Kids know more than we think and I'm sure yours will help you thru this just as mine has. Good luck.

I knew Tracey would be on this one

by PacerRep - 2013-09-20 12:09:17

Question is covered but if you have any specific questions feel free to ask. SSS is not terminal as you make it sound. SSS is CURED with a pacemaker. SSS is just an electrical problem...pacemaker adds the electricity you need...bing bang boom, fixed.

34 with SSS and just had Pacemaker installed

by 34withsss - 2013-10-17 06:10:13

Hello
I am also a 34 year old healthy male who has just had a pacemaker installed last Friday. I was fainting occasionally for about 4 months and finally they saw while I was in emergency that my heart was pausing for 8-10 seconds. I now have a pacemaker but am finding I am still having lightheaded spells. I followed up with my cardiologist yesterday and they feel the pacemaker may just need some adjusting. I had another nausea and lightheaded spell this morning and am feeling discouraged that the pacemaker isn't resolving the problem.
Any thoughts

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.