Is PM really necessary

At the age of 50 I was told that I had a low pulse (at rest lowest 31), irregular heartbeat, & some fibrillations. I went through a battery of tests, had 2nd & 3rd opinions & was told that my heart was strong, it corrected itself & I would need one someday. That was 10 years ago. I do not take any medications for my heart, originally did, but did not like how it made me feel. Have worked out pretty strenuously at the gym 3-4 times a week - full body workouts - for the past 4 years. Recently had an alleged TIA and now my cardiologist is pushing hard for me to get a PM. I cannot take coumadin-but take baby aspirin. Basically saying I will need one someday so why not now since alleged TIA. Anyone deal with clots and PM. I am highly resistant to this. I don't want to be foolish but am not convinced it is necessary. Any thoughts??

7 Comments

not sure

by hatetheidea - 2015-01-25 10:01:54

I am not sure what it would take to convince me. What concerns me is that within 2 hours of the "event" I felt fine. The "event" lasted about an hour and a half. I did not pass out, initially had trouble with my right side and couldn't speak a rational sentence after two words. At the hospital they tested and scanned me - didn't do any neurological testing-and found nothing. Blood work was fine, brain scan was fine. Spent the night in the hospital and was discharged the following morning. This is why they are not sure if it is TIA or what it was. Family history of heart issues, my Dad got one at 47 was dead at 57. My younger sister is getting one next month. I am aware of the clotting issue and, my bad, I had stopped taking the aspirin for several months before the "event". I am now religiously taking aspirin to thin my blood. I really don't want one until it is absolutely necessary. I am meeting with the EP this week to discuss.

I see you're a hard one

by Grateful Heart - 2015-01-25 11:01:59

None of us like the idea or the reality of needing a PM. Some people have TIA's (mini strokes) and do not even know it.

A lot has changed in the medical world from 10 years ago. There are newer blood thinners which you may be able to tolerate.

After reading your heart history, as well as your families, I think you see the writing on the wall.....er, computer.

BUT...you are not convinced so maybe get another Doctor's opinion, or even 2.

I am also not in healthcare but I wouldn't wait too long if I were you. Time may be of the essence.

I wish you well.

Grateful Heart

I had a clot

by NiceNiecey - 2015-01-26 01:01:57

I developed a clot about a week after getting my PM. I was treated with a blood thinner for several weeks and have been on the baby aspirin retiming ever since.

Be glad you have a sister to walk through this with you. In addition, you've had 10 years to get use to the idea. I had all of one night.

My friend, let me speak the plain truth: it's time.

Duckblossm

by duckblossm - 2015-01-26 12:01:28

I refused warfarin or aspirin for a-fib and guess what I got; a cluster of 5 subacute strokes. I didn't lose much, but even that turns out to be a lot at my age.(76). I agree w. all Grateful Heart says, and especially second opinions. Very hard in my area to come up with a decent cardio. I ran through 6 before I found one that was more interested in me than his fees. (You can tell because they run their businesses like an assembly line.) He made me feel safe.
I am very unhappy to be facing a pm, but I have lost a lot of ground already and had better not wait anymore.

Why wait?

by Busdriver - 2015-01-27 02:01:09

It doesn't make sense to me that you do so much and work so hard to keep your body in top shape, but yet you won't allow a doctor to install a device that will help your body to function properly. You say your dad got one at 47 and was dead by 57. Not sure how long ago that was, but pacemakers have come a long way in just the last few years. And who knows, that 10 years your dad had one was maybe an extra 10 years he wouldn't have had were it not for the pm. A lot of us who have pm's today may not need one in 10 years due to advances in technology. Who knows what the future may bring. Just make sure you are there when the future arrives!

In the Navy, they would call....

by donr - 2015-01-27 03:01:25

.....what you have had a "Shot across the bow." In other words. a warning.

Let me tell you - you had one *&^%$%$# of a lot MORE than an "alleged TIA." You had one, to quote Shreck "Really, Really!" TIA's don't leave tracks - that's why they call them "Temporary." BTDT, wear that tee shirt.

If you apply the "Duck Test," it is 100% certain. You are just plain lucky that you have not had a full-blown stroke w/ bad aftermath.

You are BIG TIME in self-serving denial.

I deal w/ Coumadin & a PM, that's why I don't deal w/ clots. Been that way since Feb 2003. No big deal! You did NOT say WHY you can't take Coumadin. Side effect? Psychologically can't handle it? It's really not a big deal.

Do you seriously believe that I (or any other member of this club) WANTED a PM/ICD? If you do, you are out of your ever-lovin', cotton-pickin' mind. Every darned one of us was dragged into this hosting job kicking & screaming. Admittedly, some of us more than others, but none of us walked into an EP's office & demanded that we be given a PM.

Make sure that they will bury you in a tight-fitting tee shirt - you'll make a great looking corpse at the rate you are going!

Donr

Don't need it yet

by hatetheidea - 2015-02-04 09:02:50

Just wanted to give an update. I met with the specialist EP. Checked my history, is doing some testing, but as of right now I am NOT a candidate for a PM. I thank everyone for their input and comments that gave me food for thought. I agree totally with Grateful Heart & Busdriver, the longer I can put this off, the better medical technology & drugs will be in order to address all my issues. As an aside, I can't take Coumadin or any blood thinners due to a medical issue I have had for years. Thank you all.

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