PM removal

I had my PM installed about 2 years ago. I didn't think I needed it then, and I still don't. I was feeling weak. My pulse rate stayed in the 40's and 50's except one time when it drop to 38 breifly. My doctor said that he didn't think I needed it. I told him that my wife said that she observered it once being 38. He recheck his information and said it had breifly and that he would leave it up to me, but I had to decide before 1pm today( it was about 9am at that time). The nurses were telling me how much better I would feel immediately if I had it installed. So, I did. I never felt one bit better. I was sick for about another week to 10days and got better. Now my pulse stays mostly in the 70's like it always did.
I am more than ever convinced that I never needed it. I have never had any problem with it. My battery life started out with 8yrs and is now up to 9.5yrs 2yrs later. The PM very seldom does anything.
My BIG QUESTION is: Can I have it removed? Can this be done, leads and all. My doctor said I would need to get a second opinion concerning the removing. He didn' t say it could be done or that he was willing to do it. Well, I never got the second opinion and my doctor had left the state by the time I was to see him again. I just never did follow up on the issue anymore.
So, tell me what some of you guys know about removing the whole thing.

7 Comments

PM Removal

by Pookie - 2008-11-17 07:11:10

Hi.

If your doctor said he didn't "think" you needed it...I have to ask...was he the one that suggested it in the first place or am I lost?

Some people have low heart rates and don't need a pacemaker, some people do. Some people feel excellent after, some people don't. I too was told I needed one as my heart rate was "all across the board" and going down into the low 30s at night...I too came across my need for one by accident...now I have several new cardiologists saying that I didn't need it. I too don't feel an iota better than before. The conflicting opinions of the cardiologists is SO maddening BUT....I am glad that I do have it now for peace of mind.

Back to your question about having it removed ...anything is possible. There have been a couple of people here that have had theirs removed! Have you thought of asking them to turn it down to around 30?...you never know; you may need it in the future!

good luck and keep us posted

Pookie

Can PM Be Removed

by SMITTY - 2008-11-17 07:11:39

Hello,

Yes you can have it removed. The doctor that implanted mine offered to remove my pacemaker and leads for reasons I'll not go into now. I declined because I didn't want that doctor to have any excuse for putting his hands on me again.

Like you I didn't think I needed the thing when it was implanted for bradycardia in 2000. My heart rate for the previous 25 to 30 years had been in the 50 - 60 range.

Some 5 years later my bradycardia became worse and without the PM they are now telling me my heart rate would be in the mid-40s. I'm no athlete and I know a mid-40s rate would cause a problem
for me. As you can imagine I'm glad I didn't have the thing removed.

What I'm leading up to for you, is if (and that can be a big IF) the pacemaker is causing you no physical discomfort or having a negative affect on your employment, if you are still working and not retired like me, I would suggest that you consider leaving it in place. I can honesty say I never know I have one and I do not avoid any activity because of it.

But I know for a fact that we never know what the future holds and apparently you did need one for some amount of time (when you were feeling weak and your HR was in the 40 to 50 range). There is no way to be certian another of those times will not come again.

Good luck,

Smitty

YES BUT DONT DO IT

by pete - 2008-11-18 01:11:54

Of course you can have it removed if you can find a doctor willing to do it. Now if you were the doctor who removed your pacemaker and you subsequently became seriosly ill or worse would you not think that you would be laying yourself open to the lawyers. What will you do if you find out that you really needed it in the first place, the doctors would be very annoyed with you. Your pacemaker is only monitoring your situation and giving you a bit of help when you need it. I very much doubt that you will be better off without it. Think yourself lucky and stick with it. Cheers pete

wow

by walkerd - 2008-11-18 07:11:16

I read all the posts that say thier heart rate is in the 40s and 50s and it amazes me that seems allful low to me mine is always in the 90s maybe im not normal. what is a normal heart beat. Im happy for you that you can function with out it. I have wanted to ask that for along time and for some reason never did. I maybe will post that question as i shouldnt be asking questions of my own on someone elses post. sorry
dave

Just had my pacer removed today

by 1of4kids - 2008-11-18 08:11:59

Yes, you can have it removed but no doctor should do it before making sure you indeed don't need it. I would ask the doctor to lower the low rate to the lowest and see if your heart ever drop to below 40 or even 30. He can also turn the pacer off and have you wear a monitor to see how low your heart rate drops. Having it remove is a big step although the surgery itself only takes 20 minutes. Since your heart rate has dropped to the 40's, I think it might be a good idea for you to keep it for now until you know for sure you really don't need it, not just you don't want it or think you don't need it.

Thoughts

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-18 12:11:02

If your HR is now running in the 70's it could be either that you don't need the pacer or that it is what is causing your HR to be normal. This is easy to determine. The report you get at a checkup records pacemaker operation. Your battery life reading would suggest the pacer isn't doing anything a good deal of the time or not at all. The problem is that you can have a situation where without the pacer your HR will drop on occasion. It only takes less than a minute to pass out if your HR drops too low.

As long as the pacemaker is properly programmed it won't cause you any problem. If there is any question I would leave it in.

Any finally my "broken record" statement that you should always insist on getting a copy of the pre and post programming report at your checkups. If you haven't done so call the doctor and ask for the last one. With that information it would be easier to suggest a course of action.

frank

A suggestion

by auntiesamm - 2008-11-19 02:11:47

You have been given extremely good information so I will not add to what they have said. However, if after your PM you did not feel better and think you don't need it could it be medications? Some of the meds cardiac patients take can be a real downer! Take a really good look at your meds.

Having worked many years in the healthcare industry I doubt you will find a reputable, ethical physician who will remove the pacemaker. The ramifications are horrendous. As Pete mentioned it could cause a situation in which a physician could be sued depending on the outcome. If you find a physician who will do it check his credentials, reputation and the hospitals he/she works from! Good luck and God bless.

Sharon

You know you're wired when...

You have a shocking personality.

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Pacemakers are very reliable devices.