Brand New PM - New to This Game

I got my PM one week ago today and had my first visit with the 'device nurse'. The device seems to be functioning properly. I had an ablation in April of this year, but the real issue was the bradycardia. I'm 64 and in generally very good health. I had episodes where I was only beating at 38 - 42 BPM. I also had pauses in excess of 3 seconds. (This was learned after wearing a monitor for 2 weeks). I have a Medtronic, dual lead (model A2DR01). I'm writing to see what others' experiences have been in the early going. The lead up to the surgery and the first day or two after were the worst. I was highly anxious (even after the implantation). Just looking for people in a similar situation or those who are several weeks/months ahead of me. I know each situation is different, just looking to hear from others. Health to everyone.

6 Comments

My pacemaker...

by BetsyQ - 2015-09-30 02:09:20

is the same model as yours and I'm doing well. I recieved mine on July 8. I had a very rough first few weeks and was in the hospital for four days instead of going home the first day like I had originally been told. I had the tilt table test and my heart stopped for 29 seconds. Needless to say, I got my pacemaker fairly quickly! Since then my recovery has been steady. After almost three months I feel pretty good. It was almost two months before I could take the walks I usually did daily without being severely short of breath

We all heal at different rates and in reading this forum I have found that some people are back to leading an active life within weeks. Some of us take a bit longer. Just listen to your body and it will let you know what you can do. Try not to raise your arm over your head or lift too much for the length of time your cardiologist has told you. I found that resting my left arm on a pillow at night helped considerably. I'm sure you'll find your own shortcuts.

Everyone different, everyone same

by Theknotguy - 2015-09-30 03:09:56

I like to say every heart problem is unique and at the same time we're all the same. Everyone here has had to get over the shock of needing and having a PM, ICD, or whatever. Some seem to do well, others worse, others not at all. Napoleon said something like, the mental is to physical as three to one.

I feel it is the same for people with pacemakers. If you feel you're going to do better with a pacemaker, you probably will. If you think you won't you probably won't.

I woke up in the hospital after a six day coma with the PM implanted. I didn't have to go through the angst of looking forward to the procedure and the implant. I had two, a temporary pacemaker, and finally the permanent. I was unconscious for both. The first thing they told me when I woke up was that I was in the hospital. The second was that I had a pacemaker.

Fortunately several years earlier I had a conversation with a nurse after finding out I had heart problems. She said, "You're a guy. Guys like to fix things. You aren't going to fix this. You'll be a lot happier, live better, and live longer if you learn how to live with this instead of fussing because you can't fix it." Probably the best advise I ever got.

You'll have thumps, bumps, and setbacks with your pacemaker. Can't predict what or when. You'll also have good situations too. But, overall, if you approach this with an attitude that you will get better, you probably will.

I had a lot of trauma before I got the pacemaker. Went through two sessions of CPR. Had a broken rib, collapsed lung, cracked ribs, and a chest tube, plus a six day coma.

Fortunately I corresponded with a doctor (after I go out of the hospital) who told me it would be two years of recovery. I mentally put two marks on my calendar. One at the one year mark, the second at the two year mark. If I had a setback or something didn't go well, I said, "It hasn't been a year yet." That took care of the first year. If things didn't go well, or I had a setback, I'd say, "It hasn't been two years yet." Fortunately the number of times I've had to say, "it isn't two years yet", are less frequent.

Doctors and nurses have been amazed at how well I've come back. I don't spend time fretting about what isn't or what can't be. Just have gotten on with my life. Every minute is a bonus minute, every day a bonus day.

I hope I've said something here that is helpful to you. I also help things go well for you. It's a big world out there with a lot of things to see and do. With your pacemaker, you have the opportunity to enjoy it. I wish you the best.

new PM

by dsam - 2015-09-30 06:09:15

I too just had an implant a week ago. I didnt have much of a choice. I crashed to the ground a couple of times. Last time my loop recorder indicated I had no heart beat for over 10 seconds 3 times. Bloody head and concussion....well you guys likely know the drill.

I am still not used to the idea. I am needing more tinkering with the PM I think as I am having crazy heart beats and not feeling too well. I have a call into my DR. They turned on the ability to have my heart beat go up a few days ago and took me off Metoprolol Tartate 25 mg twice a day.

Not sure what to do now but I am not right yet...

A2DR01

by dsam - 2015-09-30 06:09:21

I have the same device.
Do you have it adjusted so your heart beat goes up? Mine has a bottom of 60 but dont know if it has an upper limit

Great advice from nurse

by DonaldWillis - 2015-09-30 10:09:22

I like you're outlook on all of this and feel it to be the best way to be.

Very hopeful

by vegigran - 2015-10-01 01:10:51

I started having arryhmias 20 years ago. Had SVT and was ablated. Had Atrial Flutter and about 8 cardio versions and finally ablated. Then diagnosed with WM (an incurable blood cancer) which makes you very anemic and when it reaches a certain point must be treated. I started taking an oral chemo, but it irritated my heart so received a pacemaker 10 days ago. So now I have to get back on the chemo and am hopeful between the pacer and the chemo, I can finally get some quality life back!

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Member Quotes

Sometimes a device must be tuned a few times before it is right. My cardiologist said it is like fine tuning a car.