Pacemaker next week

Hello and Happy 4th of July to my fellow USA citizens.

I am going to be the lucky recipient of a pacemaker next Wednesday, July 8. After passing out several times in the grocery store and at home, I have had the nuclear treadmill, echocardiogram, wore the monitor for 4 weeks and nothing showed until the tilt table on Thursday. In less than 10 minutes I passed out and my heart stopped for 29 seconds. They scheduled me for the pacemaker next week but have told me absolutely nothing else. I have no idea why I passed out or what is happening with my heart or what type of PM I'm getting. I'm assuming that I will be told that when I have surgery. Is this normal to know nothing going into surgery?

I am 55 and have had these episodes since my teenage years, although they have become much more frequent in the last few months.

I stumbled across this site when I was trying to find any information. You all look like you are of such great help and support for each other and I'm really glad I found you!

4 Comments

You should get some more info

by Theknotguy - 2015-07-04 06:07:40

There is no question you need the PM and getting next week is not too soon. However, you should sit down with someone and find out what is going on. It won't make any difference but I always feel better when I have the details. I may not like what I hear but I need to hear it.

Some people have a heart condition where, when they get into a certain position, the heart stops. Called a tilt table test, you found out your heart stopped for a long time. Problem is, the next time it stops, it may be permanent. Hence the need for a pacemaker. As to what else is going on, you'll need to talk with your EP, his nurse, or someone who is familiar with your condition.

Medical science has progressed to where conditions like yours can now be diagnosed and mitigated. It will be nice going through the rest of your life not having to worry about fainting for no apparent reason.

You'll have a 4-6 week recovery period where you aren't supposed to raise the arm on the PM side above the shoulder. You aren't supposed to lift more than ten pounds with the same arm. You'll be told you could pull the leads but, based upon descriptions on the forum, your leads won't come loose unless they were going to anyway. You main worry is about pulling the scar tissue which really hurts. If you do forget (everyone does) and raise the arm above the shoulder or lift over ten pounds, don't get excited. Just don't make it a habit.

You will want to keep the arm moving to prevent a frozen shoulder. You'll also want to do light exercise like walking to help with the recovery.

Post PM, you won't have to worry about anything in the typical American home bothering your PM. You may be told otherwise, but really there isn't anything in the home that will bother the PM. There is a lot of mis-information out there that gets repeated over and over. If you have questions, feel free to ask on this forum. You don't have to worry about store security, airport security, car remotes, cell phones, TV station antennas, cell phone antennas, refrigerator magnets, and the like.

Within six weeks you should be back at 100% of normal. That's not a guarantee, some people take longer. But, the PM is not a limiting factor for your life. I'm back up to over 100% of what I was doing prior to having my PM.

You have two full days before getting your PM. I'd use that time to find out what you have and what to expect for the future. With the PM it should be brighter than what you experienced in the past.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Hi!

by Jkm736 - 2015-07-04 11:07:41

Your story is pretty similar to mine if you read my bio, but my doctor was very good about explaining my condition and answered all my questions. Like you, I had very little time to get used to the idea, and like me, you really have no other alternative with such a long pause! You will find out soon the procedure is really very minor, and you will be back to your normal activities before you know it! This group is very helpful and you can ask anything here. Take care, you will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Janet

Thank you

by BetsyQ - 2015-07-05 12:07:52

That is a lot of great information. Thank you everyone. I'll call the cardiologist on Monday and see if I can talk to someone before the pm implant.

Janet- how do I read your biography to see our similarities? It would be interesting to see what your journey has been.

I appreciate the time you have all taken to reply to me.

just click on my username

by Jkm736 - 2015-07-06 09:07:17

If you click on my username it will show my info. Let us know how w everything goes!

Janet

You know you're wired when...

Intel inside is your motto.

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