Not feeling miserable - but still in CHB

I'm 42 yrs old and in complete heart block due to an SVT ablation gone wrong- my symptoms are low HR, a bit tired, and my HR does NOT increase properly during exercise - can get up to 105bpm...of course - stress and worry - are a constant.

The Dr's are telling me I need a PM -not urgently - but that it is the only fix to get the top & bottom chambers talking again... and I find myself minimizing my symptoms - in fear of moving forward with the procedure.

It's been about 2 months since the ablation - and I do worry about my symptoms getting worse - i.e - what if I faint while driving? The Dr's tell me I'm stable - but they don't have a crystal ball either...I think it makes sense to be pro-active-and make sure I'm safe for me and my family...but fears are holding me back - what if I feel worse when the PM is in? what if it doesn't work right?

Anybody else out there who has gone through this? Like you're not feeling miserable - but you know this problem is there...and can only be corrected with the PM...

Thank in advance for your time and advice...

4 Comments

Can PM move

by Bfh - 2015-01-27 01:01:02

I am 6 wk. post op PM and think my PM moved from horizontal position to vertical. Feels like it when touched. Is this possible and has it happened to anyone? Thanks Betty

Sort of

by tessenne - 2015-01-27 02:01:11

I just went through getting a pacemaker. I spent five years with symptoms and being told it was anxiety or some such....come to find out I have a third degree block. PM went in on the 13th. I can't promise you a rose garden but I would go back and do it again. At this short stage of the game anyway. At least now I know I will not faint while driving, or nearly faint like I did one time early on. I have mixed feelings about my PM and I am not certain my journey ends here but I think it was the right thing to do. Sorry, that's all I can tell you!

Betty

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-27 04:01:54

They can shift as they settle in. When in doubt, get them to take a look at it. Does it hurt? As long as you're not in pain and it's pacing, it's probably fine.

a similar situation

by LR - 2015-01-27 06:01:06

Hi there. Im 26 years old and back In 2012 I had a ablation for SVT as well that resulted in a 1st degree block after surgery with a temporary pacing lead. They thought that my heart rate was ok ( approx 60-80 bpm) and was sent home. Only to find myself back at hospital about 5 days later for a different reason (ended up with a DVT in my leg) but during checking my heart they discovered I had a third degree block (HR of approx 38-45bpm) I was told basically straight away I would need a pacemaker. It took some time to adjust to the thought as i didnt feel too bad other then the clot. My surgery was put off due to the bloodclot. I lasted 10 weeks before fainting at home and being rushed to emergency and pacemaker was inserted 2 days later. I still find it hard to believe I have a pacemaker but at the end of the day it works well and gives me a normal heart rate and I didnt have that before. Its a hard choice my body made mine for me some people can be fine with a 1st or 2nd degree block but you never know what can change

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