Just made the decision to get a pacemaker

Hi. My name is Melody, and I have been dx with bradycardia since November. After being very angry at my body, I have decided to gone ahead with a pacemaker. I was angry with my body because I had just lost 115 pounds in the previous 14 months. I had also been exercising for the first time ever, water aerobics 3 to 5 times a week. I had been over 100 pounds overweight since 1977, and this time I was at 285. I started in September, 2013, and had dropped to 170 by November, 2014. The good news, I have not gained anything back. But since then, I have had no energy, lightheadedness, etc. and have not been back to the gym. My question is, what brand of pacemaker should I try to get? It one better than another? I know the Dr wants a two lead. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you

7 Comments

best pacemaker

by fishingmema - 2015-02-21 08:02:36

I had a Medtronic dual chamber, MRI friendly, inserted Jan 19th, 2015 and doing fine. My sister used to work in the cardiac OR and favored the Medtronic brand and when it came time for her to get one herself, she only wanted Medtronic. I'm not putting down any other brand..just telling you my situation. Good luck with your PM procedure. I had mine inserted 6 days after major rotator cuff surgery due to heart complications and I did fine...you will too!

Medtronic

by ShanB - 2015-02-21 09:02:59

I had my duel Medtronic PM surgery 8 days ago. I didn't have a brand option. This is what my cardiologist always uses. I'm still recovering. I wish you the best of luck.
I had mine after a year of 6 or so fainting episodes... Two of which my heart stopped for a time. I had severe bradycardia that just got worse very quickly and sick sinus syndrome. The pacer has been pacing well.
Again, good luck.
Shannon

That's what doctors are for

by Busdriver - 2015-02-22 01:02:29

Like AngrySparrow1 says, doctors should make the call. Pacemakers are not something the average person can "choose" to get, like a car. A good doctor, well versed and experienced knows which device is best for your situation, just like they prescribe the proper medications and dosage for whatever ails you.
Most people here have Medtronic. I have a St. Jude PM2240, which is a dual lead. My bradycardia came on slowly for years until it was so low I could barely move. Even then, I had no idea that a pacemaker would or could be the remedy, so I had no way to research anything before they implanted my device. I'm sure most, if not all hospitals favor one type of device over another, for reasons the public may never know, but I am sure money and liability issues play a major role in those decisions. Of course, the deciding factor could be the $10 an hour worker at the Insurance company selecting the cheapest device showing on her screen as per company orders. Good luck!

Thank You All

by mflema26@gmail.com - 2015-02-22 02:02:49

My doctor sent me to this site, and told me to read, read, read. I am lucky because I have a very understanding Dr. I am also lucky in the fact that I have not had some of the very serious illnesses that others have had. Even my Dr said that it was good that I didn't allow this to go on and on. In my case,my husband had had a total knee surgery in August, then gallbladder surgery in October. While I was taking care of him, I was just doing fantadtic. I felt better than I had in years. I started with the lightheadedness, then dizzyness. Plus my energy just went away. I went to water aerobics, and during the aerobic part I could get my heart rate up to 120 to 130. Now I couldn't get it any higher than 100, and if I did, I wanted to faint. Pushing a cart around Costco, and feeling like I was going to faint was scary. My timing was great, 2 or 3 weeks into this I had an appointment set with my primary Dr and he was able to get me in to the cardiologist 3 days later (the was a cancellation) since mid November I spent 6 weeks being mad, then the rest of the time thinking, learning, and finally deciding. I did call to find out what type of pacemaker is used, Medtronic, and as to which one, he says he waits until he is there. He will try to use the kind you can still have mri's with, but we will find out then. Thank you all for your comments

St Jude

by Finn - 2015-02-22 08:02:42

Hi, I had kind of an emergency pm implanted 4 yrs ago so I did not have any input however I have been very happy with my st Jude dual lead pm. The rep in Scottsdale az was very good but more importantly the back and forth between myself and the st Jude lab is great! I have a Merlin @ home transmitter. This monitors digitally my pacemaker and sends info to st Jude and is forwarded to my drs office in az. Every three months it automatically retrieves data and forwards to my drs office. They call if anything is out of line, usually I call and ask for an e mail with results, battery life, and % of pacing are the things I'm interested in,
There is a charge from my dr and you do need a land line but it's well worth it for peace of mind.
Good luck , Finn

Medtronic dual chamber, MRI friendly

by etmichelleh - 2015-02-23 12:02:30

In April, 2014 I was ordered an event monitor and found out I had av block. I was mad too because in the previous year I managed to lose 50 pounds. I have had syncope incidents ever since I was 18, but in recent years it happened more often. I thought as long as I lost weight and became healthier, I wouldn't faint anymore...

When I refused to get a pacemaker in the doctor's office right after I was diagnosed, he couldn't believe what he just heard. :) Well, I'm Chinese, and I was hoping to find some alternative methods. Anyway, I got one two weeks ago. So far, I'm doing fine. I'm going to my first after op appointment with the technician Wednesday, not my EP though. Going to make a long list to ask him what to be careful with for some exercise I'm going to take. You've done a great job keeping the weight. I know how hard it is. I didn't do well. I gained back some weight, but I'm determined to be the biggest "loser" in my life again.

Good luck!

Michelle

single lead pacer

by dpal12 - 2015-10-19 03:10:15

I got my pacemaker on February 25, 2002 a few hours after my birth. I have lived with one for as long as i have known. For me going to the doctor once a year asking if I can play any sport is the normal. What I don't like is how people think that they know what you are going through when they really don't. This right now is my fourth pacemaker the last one last 8 years when the most they last is 3-5.

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

My ICD/pacer is not a burden. I still play tennis and golf.