Introduction

Hello!
I just wanted to introduce ourselves. I'm mama to Lily, a three year old who was paced 5 months ago at 2.5. She is a twin and we discovered her third degree heart block just last year. Things moved very quickly. They do believe it was caught from a virus but some doctors believe from birth. Very confusing but we are doing really well, I'm saying me too :)

Anyway, so happy this community exists and looking forward to hearing and sharing as things arise.

3 Comments

causes

by Tracey_E - 2016-01-17 12:01:28

Yes, some viruses can cause heart block but more often than not in children it's simply a fluke. It's not genetic, except in cases where the mother has Lupus. I have congenital heart block, also. My parents don't have it, my sister doesn't have it, my kids both had perfectly normal cardiac work ups. My doctors have always told me it was a fluke, I was born without that one little electrical connection. As David said, the cause isn't so important, what matters is the pacer pretty much fixes it.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well! It's much harder on the parents than the kids, never discount your feelings or write off the toll it takes on you. Kids heal quickly and roll with it. We don't know any different. I knew I was different from the other kids but it didn't occur to me different was bad. My parents focused on what I could do, not what I could not, so I'd say I had a perfectly normal childhood outside of cardiologist checks. Very best wishes for you and Lily.

Welcome

by Good Dog - 2016-01-17 12:01:59

Welcome. Great to have you here! I think it is safe to say that everyone here learns from everyone else. There is lots of support, knowledge and experience.

You know, it doesn't matter how your little daughter got a 3rd degree block. The important thing is that you fixed it. There are lots of folks here with congenital problems and many that received a PM at a very young age. The great news: your daughter will go on to live a long and "normal" life. The technology in recent years has become pretty incredible, so you are fortunate to have been able to take advantage of it.
If anything unusual comes-up, obviously the doctor is always the first avenue with questions. However, the folks here can always provide a lot of support and answers for lots of everyday what if's, because quite often, someone here has experienced it.
BTW, I am a twin with a congenital heart block. However, mine was only 1st degree. It didn't progress to 3rd degree until I was 38.
Sincerely,

David

Welcome

by Pacemum - 2016-01-18 06:01:53

My daughter has had her PM from being few months old. She will be 16 in March.

Pleased that Lily is doing well. I have found this a good site for finding information and helping with queries.

Sue

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