New to the Group

Hi All,
I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Colleen,I am 47, and I've had my pacemaker for 6 weeks and I am LOVING life. I am a Cardiac Rehab nurse....ironic, I know. I've always had a low heart rate in the 40's as well as a low blood pressure in the 90/50 range. Dizziness, feeling tired and cold have always been a way of life. I've had several major syncopal spells throughout my life, but the doctors always kind of blew me off...maybe it's hormones or low blood sugar.
In September, I began having a lot of PVCs and just overall felt bad. One day in particular, I felt REALLY bad. My coworker put me on the monitor, and I was having pauses, Bigeminy , and finally SVT before passing out in front of my patients. After a 30 day holter, my diagnosis was Neuromediated Syncope. Hurray!!! Someone finally doesn't think that I am crazy. I got my PM in November. I never knew that you could feel so good!!! Granted, I have some pain, and twinges here and there, but this is the best thing that has ever happened to me and my family. My husband no longer walks behind to catch me when I get dizzy. One side note, during the insertion of the PM, I had a run of Atrial Flutter at a rate of 300 that could not be overpaced, and ended up needing to be cardioverted, and then went in to a 2nd degree heart block. We are watching that and may discuss ablation at a later date.
Sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to say that I find this site extremely helpful. I was reading the posts all night!! I know that it's a life changing thing for all of us....but science is a great thing in my book, and it has made my quality of life so much better. Happy and Healthy New Year to all!!

5 Comments

Good to have you here

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-31 01:12:53

Glad to have a cardiac rehab nurse on the forum. That means we can ask, "If you were reading a cardiology text book and it said ...." Then you can go ahead and answer without giving any medical advise. But the best part is you can tell your patients, "I have a PM too." It really puts things in perspective for the patients.

However, just because you are a cardiac rehab nurse, it doesn't mean you can skip your own rehab. Please make sure you do. Also talking with a psychologist would be in order. Just because you've seen it doesn't mean you won't experience depression. You're kinda like the scout kid who made it to SPL (Senior Patrol Leader - i.e. head of his troop) He arranged things for all the other scouts at scout camp but forgot to set up stuff for himself. Came down with the worst case of home sickness ever. So don't ignore yourself. Oh, and don't forget to listen to your cardiac rehab nurses while in therapy. Mine told me today, "We don't need any drama here." "Yes, ma'am." was my response.

I'd also try working with some therapy dogs. You can't beat a cold nose and a warm heart. Even though my son's dogs aren't therapy dogs, the two lab mixes still drug me around the neighborhood, just as they always did. They're always doing something goofy to make me laugh, then take their naps lying on top of me just so they don't miss anything. I get a good nights sleep after they've been here. Maybe some therapy dogs would help you too.

Another thing to think about would be to start a cardiac therapy discussion group at your hospital. We have Mended Hearts in the metro area where I live but nothing at the hospital. I'd rather work with my own hospital - after all, they saved my life. So giving back to the hospital I don't feel is out of line.

Hang in there. Life gets better. Looking forward to hearing from you in the future.

Theknotguy

Thanks everyone

by Colleen - 2013-12-31 09:12:03

Thanks everyone for your kind words. If ever I can help with some insight I will try to if able.I believe that I work at one of the best Cardiac rehabs, about 50% of our patients stay on for a Maintenance program. They help me, hopefully as much as I help them. Over and over they say...I can walk on a treadmill anywhere, but you girls are good for my mind and make me feel safe. I am taking this all as a learning experience for myself. I ask them questions about their recovery and life so I know what to prepare myself for.
To Judy. The last thing that my EP said to me was..."I wouldn't want you to be in the kitchen cooking with your daughters and pass out holding a knife" Don't you know, I did pass out in front of 1 of them holding a potato peeler. Fortunately no injury. That made up my mind to go forward with the PM.
Healthy New Year to all....and to helping each other

Welcome to the club

by KAG - 2013-12-31 11:12:09

Glad to hear you're doing so well.

There are such a variety of folks on this site, which is what I think makes it so great. So many different conditions, ages and experiences to draw from.

Keep up the good work.
Kathy

welcome

by judyblue - 2013-12-31 11:12:12

Colleen:
your comment really helped me today. I am one of those who got the pm put in before all those things you experienced happened. But I was most likely going in that direction. I need to remind myself that behind the wheel I could have been very dangerous. So thank you again, and I am very glad you found us here! I hope 2014 treats us well.
judy

Welcome

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-31 12:12:42

Sorry you had to go through all of that (not being listened to)....BTDT, but glad you are feeling so much better.

As a Cardiac Rehab Nurse, you are now a living, walking, breathing example to your patients that there is life after a PM/ ICD implant. That will be sooo helpful to many new patients.

Continued good health!

Grateful Heart



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