help me stop worrying in the uk

Hi guys ive never done this before but need anyones advice who have had similar experiences. Ive suffered from blackouts since I was 15....ten years on they are still trying to work things out for me. Ive had a loop recorder inserted which ive had just under a year and its caught an episode recently. I completely passed out and whacked my head as per usual lol. The device showed my heart and blood pressure dropping and then my heart stopped completely for about 15 secs. Been sent away to await a meeting with the consultant. My device was only read by a technician who blabbed about either life changes or a pacemaker? ?? Im soo tired of worrying whether im going to pass out or injure myself infront of people but now I cant get the image of my device reading out of my head....seeing your heart stop is scary..... I feel like I have no support....please share any help or advice you may have? Xxxxxx

3 Comments

Passing out no fun

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-12 05:01:01

Passed out on the pet trail while walking my son's dogs. Heart rate was 20 when EMT's got there. Then stopped in ambulance. Problem was, they couldn't get it restarted in the ER. Broken rib, collapsed lung, then a temporary pacemaker in the operating room. Six days in a coma. Woke up with everyone saying, "Surprise!"

If they would have asked me if I wanted a PM prior to my collapse, I would have said no. However, post waking up I'm much happier with the PM than without. No more gasping for air, no more dizzy, feel warm instead of cold, and mental activity much better. No more worry about the heart stopping.

Still have problems with a-fib but I'm getting strong enough to have the ablation. Discussion I had with my doctor is to wait for the a-fib ablation as the PM has a setting for a-fib that isn't approved by FDA yet. But I can be hopefull.

A lot of people on this site tell you about the bad things. That's why the site is here. To offer help to everyone with PM's. Of the 3 million plus who have PM's most have had a good experience. At the least, it's better than the alternatives.

Unfortunately there are no guarantees in life. You put your money down and you take your chances. So the decision is still yours. It was a good experience for me in spite of the bad start.

Theknotguy

Support

by Pacemum - 2014-01-12 05:01:48

Only have experience of children's services in UK which are set up differently to adults. I have no medical experience but it sounds from what you described that an ICD may be needed as opposed to pacemaker.

Hope that you are not waiting long to see consultant. You should be offered some support. However the treatment may vary depending on which part of the country you are in.

thanks

by nellie - 2014-01-14 01:01:18

Thanks for your help guys x

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