newly diagnosed

I've been diagnosed with bradycardia and sick sinus syndrome and the recommended treatment is a pacemaker, so I am here to learn more about living with a pacemaker.

6 Comments

Need some more info.

by Duke999 - 2013-12-02 08:12:14

Hello SilverMegan, how old are you? How long have you had these symptoms? Did any of the symptoms bother you? How did you find out you had these symptoms?
I will give you my thoughts if you can share more information.

Welcome!

by Butterflyin2 - 2013-12-02 08:12:26

Hi and welcome to our group! I am 56 years of age and received my pacemaker after an electrophysiology study that also included an AV ablation for SVT. I was a bit apprehensive, but my doctors informed me it was a good thing and that it would stop my fainting. As you will find out, people here have a wide variety of diagnosis that require an implanted device. We are not doctors but can offer you a great deal of information from our personal experience. Please feel free to ask questions and once again welcome!

I was you one month ago

by erik - 2013-12-02 09:12:23

And I've now had my pacemaker 10 days. I'm still bandaged up and being careful not to bump the site or strain the arm. But other than that I'm just going about my life and sometimes forget I have it in me. Look at it this way. Lots of people have metal in their bodies...shrapnel, replacement knees, pins in their arms, skull inserts, studs in their tongues, noses and other parts unmentionable. Nothing particularly special about it except for the fact that I no longer have bradycardia, my heart no longer stops for seven to eleven seconds at a time, I no longer get exhausted or dizzy out of the blue, I don't worry about fainting. And on the positive side, I feel much better walking up hills, just like the old days.

I didn't like the diagnosis when I got it, who does? But I'm very happy there is this relatively simple and extremely effective cure. As someone else on this site reminded me when I was your "age", most people who get pacemakers do just fine. The odds are with you. May the Force be too.

more info

by SilverMegan - 2013-12-03 02:12:38

more details about me. I am 55. I was first diagnosed with bradycardia about 10 years ago. It has become more severe in the last couple of years, with my resting heart rate around 45, but it drops into the 30s. My heart rate also will suddenly cut in half, usually upon exertion. I feel tired all the time and often can't catch my breath. I take my pulse and blood pressure regularly and wear a heart monitor when I exercise, so that is how I realized my heart rate was slow.

I look forward to feeling better!

nervous

by EV1 - 2013-12-05 01:12:24

I know exactly how you feel. A couple weeks ago, I had the same information given to me and became scared as hell.

Then I stumbled onto this site and found many people who have valuable information for me to digest. Best find I have every made. The pacemaker was placed into this 68 year old body and the world became a better view.

Make sure you have a cardiologist familiar and with a history of these insertions. If the information is strong, give him your trust.

4 days later and I am feeling well.

Welcome to the club!

by Hot Heart - 2013-12-07 03:12:11

Hi Megan, life with a pm is fine. In fact I forget I have one now. Good luck.

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

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