20 & need a pacemaker

Hello, my name is Lauren. I am 20 years old, and I recently found out that I am going to have to get a pacemaker next month. I have never had surgery before. I am worried about getting put to sleep, and I am still a little hesitant about getting a pacemaker in general. Any information about pacemakers that I can get will be extremely helpful and appreciated.

Thank you,



Lauren

15 Comments

Thank you!

by LGP - 2013-12-15 09:12:19

Your post definitely made me feel a little better about having to get a pacemaker. It sounds like it should not be as bad as what I was thinking it would be. I enjoyed reading your post.

Thank you,



Lauren

Hope all is well with you

by LGP - 2013-12-15 09:12:38

I am sorry to hear that you had a traumatic event. I hope that everything is going a lot better for you. Thank you for the information. I have been passing out a few times a week for almost six years now. They found out that it was because my heart was stopping for about 40 seconds every time I pass out. I have been to three cardiologist hoping that they would tell me something different. After talking to a few people on here, I am already feeling much better about having to get a pacemaker.

Thank you,



Lauren

Getting A Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2013-12-15 09:12:54

Hello Lauren,

Below is my experience of getting a new pacemaker. If you have nothing better to do read this and it may give you an idea of what you are facing. As others will tell you it is not a bad surgery. I have found that the results were certainly worth the discomfort I had for a few days.

On arrival at the hospital I was given some of the hospitals latest fashions to put on and told to lie down and get comfortable as it would be a little while before the surgery. I read the paper and watched TV for a couple of hours while other PM patients were also being readied for their PM . After about an hour I got an IV and spent the next 3 or 4 hours being "prepped" which consisted mainly of getting about a quart (at least it looked like that amount) of antibiotic through the IV and the surgery area cleaned and cleaned real good.

Later that morning the doctor came in and examined the area for the implant again and we talked about what was involved. After another hour or so I was wheeled off to the surgery area where I spent about 30 or 40 minutes being "dressed or draped" for the surgery. Sometime after I got in the surgery area I received some medication to make me relax so they said, but what it did was make take a nap in about a half-sleep mode. I vaguely remember being told they were injecting a local anesthetic into the area where the surgery would be performed so I would not feel the implanting of the pacemaker. I was not put to sleep as is normally done for surgeries as this is not surgery in the terms we normally think of surgery. Let me point out one thing. I was not put to sleep as we think of being of being put to sleep with a surgical procedure.

About 45 minutes later I was told, "okay Mr. Smith, we are through and your pacemaker is working just fine." I was wheeled back into a room where I had to stay overnight to be sure I had no adverse reactions to any of the meds I had received

I was not unexpectedly sore and my healing was no problem. I did have restricted use of my arm for a few days, the main thing being not to raise my elbow above my shoulder, or lift more than a few lbs. Each of us is different, therefore get slightly different instructions) with the arm on the side of the PM. I was n lot allowed to drive for about 24 hours and then for short distances for a week or so. All in all the pain is less than most dental surgery I have had, and since I was retired even with the first one, it did not interfere with any activates.

One last word, you will go home with the Drs best guess on PM settings. Most of the time these are good, but occasionally some people need to have those settings tweaked. If she thinks hers is causing you a problem, or if she thinks something is amiss, she should let her Dr know, otherwise he will have no way of know everything is not perfect.

If you would like to see a picture of an implanted pacemaker go to Member Gallery, (see upper left part of this page). Click on that and then put in my name, Smitty. There is a sketch of an pacemaker, in it usual location. It also shows the routing of the leads from the PM to their location in the heart chambers.

Again it is not a bad surgery. I've had dental work that was much worse. After you get your PM there are many people here that can and will answer your questions.

Good luck,

Smitty

Hey Lauren

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-15 09:12:58

Hey Lauren. Glad you found this website. There are a lot of us out here with PM's. So that's a plus. Feel free to ask your questions here. You'll get a lot of support. You may see some intense discussions but we have a lot of people with a lot of problems. Most of us get along better than fine with our PM's.

First a PM implant isn't really considered surgery - it's a procedure in medical terms. That doesn't mean it isn't a big deal to you because to you it is. Sometimes they don't even make you unconscious- just give you what is called a twilight drug. That mans you're about 1/2 awake and 1/2 asleep. Problems with PM implants run about 1%. So that means out of 100 people only 1 may have a problem. So having a pacemaker implanted is a low risk procedure. Why you need the pacemaker is a bigger deal.

There are a lot of websites with information about pacemakers. Mine is a Medtronics pacemaker so you can go on their website and get a lot of information about pacemakers. I have a couple of sites below.

http://www.medtronics.com
http://www.medtronic.com/patients/bradycardia/device/

You can Google "pacemakers" and get a lot of hits for PM sites. Plus a lot of information. Probably more information than you'd really want.

If they're telling you that you need a PM, that is a big deal. I will tell you and others on this site will tell you that you will feel a lot better with the PM than without.

You'll go through some soreness after the PM implant but with Tylenol and moderate exercise you'll feel better. For the first four weeks they'll tell you not to raise your elbow above your shoulder and not to lift anything over five pounds. You aren't supposed to do any heavy exercise either. After four weeks moderate exercise. They may have a rehab person to help you.

One of my doctors has a patient who is ten years old. The ten year old has been told he can't play football. Other than that, most other sports are OK. So even though you have a PM, you can lead a pretty normal life. Much better than without.

You may notice some additional heart beats or other feelings right after getting the PM. That will be normal because the PM is making your heart beat correctly and you may not have felt that way for a while.

I got my PM after a traumatic event. I'm just over 60 days with the PM and I feel really good. It may not take you as long to feel good because you didn't have a traumatic event leading up to getting the PM.

So feel free to ask questions on this site and keep in contact with us. My best wishes to you for your PM implant and your new life.

Theknotguy

Different life

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-15 10:12:51

Lauren:

It's OK to be concerned. After all, it's your body. But if you've been passing out a few times a week, that's really serious. I'm surprised you were able to lead a "normal" life, learn to drive, and do a lot of things.

Smitty and I will tell you life does get a lot better after the PM. So life is more positive with a PM than without.

It's OK to be angry about the reason why you need a PM. I tell people my grandparents jumped into the gene sewer. So you can be upset about having a heart problem that causes you to need a PM. You may also be upset because you have a medical problem that prevents you from becoming the next Wonder Woman. However ...

You will grow to love the PM and what it does for you. First, you won't be passing out all the time. You may find you have more energy and you feel better. You'll have more stamina, can breathe better, and food tastes better. There are people with PM's who have run marathons and have done a lot of things. So it's a lot to look forward to.

You may get some strange feelings for the first few weeks after the implant. The PM is telling your heart it can't do the same old thing and it is a strange feeling. Gradually you'll become accustomed to the regular heart beat, and will feel better.

Thanks for the concern about my traumatic event. I'm a tough old bird and got through it OK. Things are going very well for me now.

Hang in there. Life gets better. And you've got a lot of life to live.

Theknotguy

Hi Lauren

by dz0pzw - 2013-12-16 01:12:40

Anytime you need surgery or a procedure (as some refer to it) It can be a little overwhelming. What I have found is that it's a pretty straight forward deal. just had my second Biotronik pm implanted (first one lasted 8 years, and new one should be good for about 14)
I was pretty hyper about having first one done, but I will tell you it was trouble free, and very fast. I did stay overnight, but this new one was even faster (mainly because the lead was already in place) I checked in at 11:30 am and was getting into my car to go home at 3:31pm ( total time 4 hours and 1 minute, actual surgery started at 1;57pm and finished at 2;25pm, that's 28 minutes, rest of time was in recovery where I was totally awake)
Based on your age, I'm sure you will be fine. Only restrictions I had with first one was to not lift my arm above my head, or stretch too far. My biggest problem was making sure I didn't put my arm over my head while I was sleeping, the solution (for me) was to keep my left arm inside my undershirt and not put it through the arm hole, that way I couldn't move my arm very much, and for sure not above my head.
So just borrow an undershirt from your Dad, or Brother, or Husband, and you will be all set !
One other thing I forgot to mention, is in the 8 years I had my first pm, I never once knew it was there.
Best wishes, I know your a little on edge, but remember that's normal

First surgery, Pls read this...

by donr - 2013-12-16 01:12:44

...little post I did a few months ago for Newbies.

Go to top Right corner & hit SEARCH button. Search for "Some Tough Love for Newbies."

Hopefully, it'll help you sort out some issues that plague Newbies.

Don

Surgery is no problem

by JerryG - 2013-12-16 03:12:47

Hi Lauren

I am now three months past implant and loving life! I am 66 years old and feel at least 30 years younger with my PM making sure my heart beats properly.

My implant was done under general anaesthetic as my cardio must have anticipated a problem. Turned out that my cephalic vein which my cardio normally uses for access to the subclavian vein had a hairpin bend in it and the guide wire would not go around the tight bend. The procedure thus took a lot longer than normal but being under general anaesthetic, it didn't matter. I came out of anaesthetic easily (as usual) and went to ICU for the night (I only came out of theatre at around 18h15.)

I was discharged at about 10h30 the next day and apart from the discomfort of having my arm in a sling, I had so little pain I didn't need to take even a very mild analgesic. Went through all the lifting restrictions and driving restrictions and after 3 weeks was back to normal life, including working out daily on my treadmill.

I know what it feels like to have severe bradycardia as although I have no heart 'plumbing' problems, I am told I have sick sinus syndrome which in my case is caused by age. I had a blackout and fall one time which damaged the nerves between my nose and my brain causing me to totally lose my sense of smell. I am just very glad the fall didn't crack my skull and kill me!

Heart problems can develop at ANY age and we should just be thankful for modern technology that allows us to be 'reborn' to live a normal life as with a pacemaker. I do everything I did before my PM implant and now perhaps even a bit more.

Have no fear either of the surgery or of having a pacemaker; rather look forward to the fruitful life you are going to have with your pacemaker ensuring you don't have any further episodes of bradycardia and blackouts!

Good luck.

JerryG

Lauren

by dean20 - 2013-12-16 03:12:52

Lauren, you not alone. i too was diagnosed at 20. i have lived with my condition in denial for the past 12 years. cant anymore so scheduled for implant on Wednesday! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Dean

Good luck Lauren

by Marianyork - 2013-12-16 06:12:26

Hi Lauren, you will be just fine, lots of great posts to support you in your journey .. This is such a wonderful site I don't know what I would have done without is, probably driven the doctor mad with every little twinge I experienced, instead I come to this site and check out what others have experienced and it helps me relax and get things into perspective.

All the best with your new PM

Maz

Best of luck

by Bostonstrong - 2013-12-16 07:12:28

With this. Hope your surgery and recovery are smooth sailing. Anyone who doesn't have anxiety preop before this is comatose!

Hi

by Gellia3 - 2013-12-16 09:12:05

Welcome to the Club! There are many here that can answer your questions and help you.

I was slightly older than you when I got my first PM (26y/o) and that was 1975. I just had my 8th replacement the other day.

Haven't missed a thing in all the 38 years I've had one.
It has only added to my life.

Best wishes and please come back and let us know how you are. We have all been where you are now.

All the very best,
Gellia

Thank you all.

by LGP - 2013-12-16 12:12:18

I am so thankful to be able to get feedback from people who have a pacemaker. It is helping me so much to be able to read everyone's post and learn about all of your stories. Thank you for all of the information and support!



-Lauren

Lauren

by jeanlancour - 2013-12-16 12:12:59

Ther are quite a few pacers on here about your age, stick around and you will see their posts. You will also hear from people who were fitted with PMs your age and younger, They are happy to be paced, not worry about passing out, and able to take part in sports they were once not able to do. Most likely you will take to the PM like a duck to water, don't worry about the surgery, ask your drs all and any queation that comes to mind, it's your body and your PM claim it and care for it. Best to you. Jean

Welcome

by Beckes76 - 2013-12-19 01:12:42

I just had my 5th PM put in, 3 weeks ago.

I was at the Hospital at 6AM...Surgery was at 8AM. Was eating a sandwich at 9:15AM. Was discharge at 11AM. Was uncomfortable for the first few days. 6 days after surgery I was back at work. Piece of cake.

Becky

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