What to expect.

Got a pacemaker 4 days ago because of a Type 3 block. Had bunch of tests three months ago and cardiologist said I had Right Bundle Branch Block, but should be fine indefinitely. This was after the heart cath showed nothing but 8% block of one artery. Had low pulse then, but it was dismissed.

When I went to the hospital Wednesday and told them I felt intoxicated and had a slow pulse, it was like magic. Five minutes and I was undressed and hooked up to tons of stuff. The next day they put in the PM.

I am a 50yo woman and have been tired for forever, but now I feel energized. What can I realistically expect with regard to quality of life and lifestyle changes.

I keep finding myself using my blood pressure machine because I am terrified that something is going to go wrong with the PM.

Any advice and experience is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

4 Comments

norski

by norskie - 2014-12-07 10:12:42

Like, you it was an energizing difference when my pacemaker was installed for a right bundle block. I have had it since Nov 2005 and it has done wonders for me. Time is running out though and a new one will have to be installed in about 1-1/2 years. Can't complain cuz it has worked flawlessly for so long. I only hope the replacement works as well as this one!!
It's a good idea to keep an eye on your blood pressure and pulse, though I do not think you need to be 'terrified' about something going wrong. PM's have been around for a long time now and there have been many advances made in them. Sleep well at night, live well during the day, and God bless because your pacemaker is giving you a new lease on life!!

Don't need to check

by Theknotguy - 2014-12-07 10:12:42

I'm glad you're feeling so well after the PM implant. It's really great when it works so good. A couple of things.

The euphoric feeling may wear off. For some people it does. Try not to go into a blue funk if it happens.

Don't go overboard with checking your blood pressure. I ended up talking myself into the ER by checking my BP. I thought it was high, went back and checked it later and it was higher. Checked it again and it was in the danger zone. Punched the button and ended up in the ER. You won't die from embarrassment. Nurses told me it does happen. It was an expensive lesson.

Your PM doesn't go to sleep, doesn't take a day off, never gets tired, never gets bored. It just sits quietly there watching until it's needed. It's an amazing piece of machinery.

I know it's really hard at first to not think about the PM all the time, but try not to. It will do it's job. Your job is to get on with your life. Now that you have the PM it should be a much longer and better life.

what to expect

by Tracey_E - 2014-12-08 09:12:49

I'm a couple of years younger than you but have been paced for 20 years now. Like you, I went from exhausted to energized overnight. I haven't really slowed down since! That initial burst wears off (darnit) but I still feel amazing.

It takes time to learn to trust the pacer to do its job, but it will. As you get back to your normal routine and feeling good again, it gets easier to forget about it. You don't need to be checking your bp all the time. First of all, the pm doesn't affect bp ;) Second, it's hard to move on when you're constantly checking. Only check if you feel bad, if you have symptoms. The pm is working, you can bet on it. It's a state of the art computer, much more dependable than our wonky hearts. It will do its job, always.

RBB is a type of 3rd degree block. RBB describes where the signal gets lost (the block), 3rd degree is how often the block happens (all the time). It's also called av block or complete av block. It's all the same thing! Electrical blocks are completely unrelated to blocked arteries.

Thanks

by tlcarroll - 2014-12-11 08:12:26

I really appreciate the feedback. It has been a week now and already my friends are saying, "she got a pacemaker and now she won't stop talking." People say my skin tone looks better and my voice sounds stronger.

Today I did a task that I had given up a few months ago because it was tiring me out to walk and I didn't even get winded. WOW

I honestly think I am in love with this thing. It is just hard now to stop from doing things I have been told to wait to do,

You know you're wired when...

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