New to Group & Pacemaker

Well i got a pacemaker for my 51st birthday on Tuesday. Last Thurs early morning i passed out in the bathroom. I had banged my knee the day before and i guess the extreme pain triggered AFib that i did not know i had. I had been having fluttering for years off and on. Energy level has been decreasing. Stress level increasing. Coughing all the time. High blood pressure. Taking care of injured hubby x 5 years, keeping eye on 81 yr old mom after Dad died Aug 2013, put my dog down last week after stroke, and so much more. Banged my head bad enough to have a black eye. Chest felt strange so had hubby had call ambulance. Went to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple TX. They were all fantastic. I passed out 5 more times. Heart stopped twice but started on own. Had AFib which finally corrected itself. Pacemaker placed on the 21st as a backup. I have not had a "fainting spell" for 2 years. But apparently this fluttering was so much more.
I wont lie. Im scared. Im at home recovering. But boy this will be tough. Im one who does not sit still. Im always up and around. Maybe this is my SIGN.
Any helpful hints? Any advice or things to watch for?

3 Comments

Other than

by Theknotguy - 2014-11-23 10:11:12

Other than telling you not to burn the candle at both ends.

Don't see how you do it.

If there's any way you can find out what is going on to make you pass out (other than exhaustion) I'd do that first.

Second is to cut back (if at all possible) otherwise you may beat your parents to the grave.

Hope you can get some help or relief.

Poor Girl

by NiceNiecey - 2014-11-24 12:11:54

Talk about stress! You define it!

Please don't be scared. Your life should vastly improve with a PM. As I mentioned in the post above yours, use this time to RECOVER, not add holiday stress. Let others do the work.

I nearly collapsed 2 days before Christmas last year and got my PM Christmas Eve. I had family in town, staying at my house, a new grandchild, a new business, etc. I knew I just had to let it all go. My family did a beautiful job and holding me accountable and making sure I only did what was absolutely necessary.

Moving forward, just think about your overall heart health. Everyone here has electrical problems. Many have additional cardiac problems too like blocked arteries, replaced valves, etc. our jobs are to try and be as healthy as possible.

Keep us posted on your progress and ask as many questions as you like. I love to read the Qs & As here.

Thanks!

by madscad - 2014-11-28 12:11:44

Thanks for the encouraging words. I'm am doing pretty good. I get tired pretty easy. My dressing came off today and incision looks pretty good.
I think in some ways that subconsciously I knew something was going to happen. I got all my Xmas shopping don't before Oct 1 ( first time ever this has happened). We had already planned on low key holidays.
So far I don't have any questions but know I might one day. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving!

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