New member saying "HI"

Can't sleep and came across this site. I'm a 58 yr old female and I've have had my pacemaker and defib. for about 5 years now. V-Tach was my issue... out of the blue. Driving alone and tried to pass out 3 or 4 times before I made it to a rural hospital. Had no idea what was wrong. Sure didn't notice any heart issue. But my dad had the same thing when he was about my age....so when I found out what it was, it really wasn't a huge surprise. Except he had had heart damage from Rheumatic Fever, so we always thought that was what had brought his on...guess not. I had one incident where my defib went off at night. It wasn't an accident. And then I had another issue two years ago when I had a stallion get loose and got in a pasture with some mares and the fight was on. I was running around trying to separate them. My defib went off 7 times before I was done that time. Not something I would care to do again...but it wasn't all that bad. I did go in the next day to have everything checked over and they turned me up a bit faster, since I'm pretty active. Last Aug they told me my batteries had a little less than 4 years left, so I'm hoping they are right and I won't have to go in sooner. I think the fact that my dad had a pacemaker for over 30 years before he passed away at 86, made me less fearful than some. Other than his new batteries he never had any issues. And he never changed his life style except for trap shooting and hunting, he gave those up. So, hello to all and I will be checking in now and then. Take care!

4 Comments

Welcome Thistledown

by Marie12 - 2013-12-09 07:12:20

Glad you found this site. With your experience I am sure you will be able to help us newbies.

I've had my ICD for five months and thankfully so far it has not gone off. It is encouraging to read what yu have gone through and that "it wasn't all thats bad". What was ICD set for before they raised it. Mine is at 150 and sometimes I feel that is too low.

Again, welcome.

Thanks for the welcome!

by thistledown - 2013-12-09 12:12:39

Yes, if you haven't had your defib go off, the worry is worse than the incident. It is a weird, unnerving feeling that washes over you that is the worst part I think. I told my husband it felt like someone had taken a wrench and thumped me in the chest...so it wasn't really painful at all. I was filled with a bright light that just flashes and feels like it radiates out through your body. The first time I was going out, so I was only half there, so to speak. But the other time I was fully awake and running like a wild woman, dodging hooves and trying to save the studs life. In the heat of the moment I hadn't even thought of the possible outcome. The first time startled me and it took me a second to realize what it was. But I couldn't stop and a couple minutes later it slammed me again. And by then my heart rate was evidently so high, it just kept trying to slow me down. Each time, it got stronger and stronger. After the third time I had got the horses separated. But it kept hitting me. By the last time it was so strong it took me to my knees. Between the 5th and 6th time as I was coming back in the house, the phone rang and it was my sister. It went off right after I answered the phone. One thing is that you will yell out. You can't not yell.. my sister about had a heart attack when I screamed in her ear then told her what it was and I had to get off the phone and call 911. I was getting worried that it wasn't going to stop..LOL Anyway aid car came but by then I was fine and even walked down and opened the gate for them. The EMT hooked me up and checked me out. I was covered in dust from the barnyard but otherwise just fine. The next day my left arm was kind of sore but that was it. My heart Dr. checked it all out and other than thinking I was a bit crazy...gave me a clean bill of health. Hopefully you won't have anything like my incident happen to you. But believe me it isn't anything to worry yourself about. And it is literally over in a minute or less :) The tech at the clinic told me it was reading that my heart had been going 200 beats a minute when it first went off. I really don't remember what they have me dialed in at. But they did turn it up a bit. I'm kind of worried of having it go off in a dangerous situation like Hurtheart mentions just for the reason I don't want to be a liability in an emergency. But I have to say that most of the time I totally forget I even have an implant. It took a while to feel that way though. The Dr. had me on beta blockers for the first couple years and I hated them. I felt crappy, light headed and lazy. After two years I quit the beta blockers and got back to normal within a few weeks. My condition allowed me to quit them, although I know many of you don't have that option.

Thank you

by Marie12 - 2013-12-10 03:12:55

Thank you for the description of when you were shocked. I realize everyone is different, however, I don't feel quite so nervous after hearing what you went through. Thanks again.

Hello

by jeanlancour - 2013-12-10 12:12:21

My uncle always told me it takes a strong women to control a stallion. Now I believe it!! Good on you. Enjoyed your story, I only have a wimpy PM myself, and think I'll stick with that. Jean

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.