Trying to figure this out

Hello,
I am new to the club and hoping for some info that will help calm my nerves a little. I am 59 years old, and will be receiving my PM this Friday. I have had a lot of the anxiety and apprehension that I have read about from other folks. I have been diagnosed with bradycardia. I am wanting to know from some of you on what to expect in the first 6 to 8 weeks. What general symptoms, good or bad. I am still trying to come to grips with this, and like many, probably not dealing with it very well. I know this procedure is performed to help, but part of me says what if it does not and I have made a mistake. I know it is probably the best thing, but when doubt creeps in sometimes, it allows for very negative thinking. Thanks for any feedback you can provide, and God bless.

12 Comments

oh yeah, you need it

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-02 03:03:04

You are not even close to borderline! Under 60 is labeled bradycardia, 50's you can get by without pacing but once we get to 40's and under, it's really hard on the body. I had no idea how badly I was feeling before until I felt better after. It can come on gradually and we get used to compensating. I knew I was tired and dizzy a lot but was astounded later looking back how bad it really was. You may find the same thing. Oxygen is a glorious thing!

If you have questions before or just want to chat, don't be shy. The waiting is the worst part.

positive attitude

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-02 03:03:06

Don't talk yourself into problems that don't exist! It's normal to be a little nervous, to not want it, to have doubts if we really need it. Trust that your doctor knows his job. Do you have symptoms now? Do you know what's causing the bradycardia and how low you get? Brady is a low rate, more of a symptom than a diagnosis. If you have symptoms and they're caused by a low rate, you should feel better fairly quickly after. For me, it was night and day and I felt it the minute I woke up. My rate went from the 40's to 30's to 20 the day I got the pacer, so the difference was profound. Most of us heal and get back to our lives and barely give it a thought.

As you read places like this, keep in mind that complications are very rare, less than 1%. For every one person here with a problem looking for answers, there are hundreds, probably thousands, out there getting on with their lives with no issues. Reading the posts here makes it sound like complications happen way more than they do. Sometimes we can read too much!

Positive attitude

by dummyup - 2016-03-02 03:03:47

Thanks for your encouraging words. My rate has been in the 30's and 20's, so I know this has got to be the right thing to do. I am also glad to hear that most folks are getting along fine after the procedure. I am hoping and praying for a positive outcome, and again thanks for your kind words.

Tracy is right!

by WillieG - 2016-03-02 08:03:03

The waiting is the hardest part. Although we are all different and many say they are tired after the procedure, I wanted to let you know that I was not tired and felt pretty good except for the sore left arm. I actually drove 450 mi alone to my nephew's graduation the day after I was home from the hospital. I was walking next day although the PM sorta bounced a bit. Most everything improved rather quickly so you should not worry. Biking in 2 weeks, racquetball in 5 weeks but it took about 6 months to not really feel the PM anymore. I was 61 and did just fine. Good luck!

concerned daughter

by Kicker - 2016-03-02 08:03:51

happy to read this, as my dad just got one put in last Friday, and still doesn't feel great he says.. I am a concerned daughter, and hope this PM doesn't change the quality of his life. He loves to travel (my dad is 79), and have happy hour with friends (yes he enjoy wine/beer, lol) and fine dining. :)

oh yeah, you need it

by dummyup - 2016-03-02 10:03:55

Thanks for the comments, and the waiting is hard, it works on your mind. I firmly believe we do compensate for the feeling bad and dizzy and tired. My hope is when this is over I can get back to feeling better and get rid of they lightheaded, dizzy feelings. Just posting my comments on here and receiving the feedback has made me feel more comfortable about this procedure, thanks so much!

SSS

by 28sedan - 2016-03-03 04:03:28

I have SSS slow heart rate low 40s and high 20s. 5 years since my PM I feel way better but it took time. I went through depression after the install and lots of ups and downs emotionally. No one told me this could be an issue.
Then I found this site and I read all I could read about people like yourself. That was the best medicine for me and like all I read they say keep coming back here tell us more about what is going on for you and ask lots of questions. Time is the cure and my pacer works great.

recovery

by AnaLena - 2016-03-03 07:03:30

I was 73 when I got my pacemaker 2 years ago for bradycardia. By the time I had symptoms serious enough to really take notice plus my wait for the cardiologist I wanted, I had a definite decrease in my overall fitness. My major symptom was fainting plus heart rate about 40. I felt ok but I was lacking stamina, etc. It took about a year of stairs & yoga & walking & gardening (I'm 15 years older than you are) but I'm back to being fit.
I got my pacemaker on Monday and was back at work Wednesday. It takes a while for the incision to heal--lots of prickles and little stuff. I had a large hematoma--really large--around my thigh and groin. Seems my femoral artery got a little nick! The hematoma was more uncomfortable than the incision.
Be on the lookout for some depression that might creep in a month or two after. Didn't last long for me.
I'd say to be gentle with your body for 6-8 weeks but move and cycle and do yoga and dance; do everything you want. Just carefully.
If your hospital has cardiac rehab you might see about using that service. I didn't. Didn't feel I needed it.
Good luck. You'll feel lots better.

You will be fine

by Scout - 2016-03-03 08:03:14

I am 59 and had my pacemaker put in in January of 2014. My pulse was as low as 27 and I had felt like I was going to faint (but never did) for 2-3 years. I fainted several times in my teens and early 20's but no one thought anything of it. The surgery was not hard and I felt better in a few days. There are some sensations that I learned to get used to, and now I cannot even tell you what they felt like. Good communication with your cardiologist is key. I feel much better than I did prior to having the pacemaker. It is strange to know that I have this and the meds I need now, but I know it is for the best. You will be fine and you will feel better soon. Your energy will be increased you will feel great.

Thanks for all your comments

by dummyup - 2016-03-03 09:03:51

Tomorrow is the big day and I would like to say I can't wait, but I think I will be relieved when it is all over. I am hoping to feel much better and not have the dizziness and fatigue. You have all been helpful and encouraging with your comments, and this is what someone needs going into this. Someone said that nobody knows what it is like to have a PM until you get one, now I am less than 24 hours from finding out, thanks all.

Let the games begin

by dummyup - 2016-03-06 03:03:23

Thanks for everyone's comment pre-surgery. Got it done and am 2 days out now. Site looks good, swelling as expected, sore, some trouble adjusting to sleeping. I still feel some dizziness, maybe that is part of the recovery, don't know. Feel like the PM makes heart race sometime when doing something that requires more energy. Overall feel good, but little things that make one wonder if everything is working as it should. Won't go in for followup until 2 weeks. I have read and am trying to understand, everyone has different issues when going through the healing process. I guess we would all hope for the best results immediately, but any post procedure comments would be welcome. Thanks for this great site and the people here that help.

Re Recovery

by Zetha - 2016-03-06 09:03:56

Hi there, well now you are post PM and I can relate to any anxiety you might have..... this forum has been a great help to me and everyone is so positive and encouraging. I am 6months post PM and am seeing my cardiologist this week for my next check-up.
For me the emotional roller coaster has been worse than the physical recovery... although the physical has also taken time, I think as is normal. It has been an enormous realization that I am not as 100% healthy as I had always thought. I was even afraid to drive my own car, but slowly everything fell into place and the first time I went shopping on my own, I started feeling a little more like myself.
I had developed a haematoma underneath the incision, but my cardio decided to just leave it alone and not drain it and within a short time the swelling went down and I had a problem with one stitch that did not dissolve, but eventually that also sorted itself out.
I was informed not to lift my left arm for 6weeks and wear a sling on left arm...the sling helped especially at night because in one's sleep you tend to lift arm above your head.
My scar healed fairly well quite soon, but as I am skinny the pacemaker will always protrude, I can even see the wires showing underneath my skin. I am not ecstatic about it, but as Technotguy has said, it is either pacemaker or not being alive! All my clothes cover scar and pacemaker and when wearing a strappy dress, I can cover scar with make-up, pacemaker is then still concealed by dress.
On cardio's instruction, I went back to mild pilates and treadmill 2-3 months after, warned to be careful with left arm , but everything going better by now.
I must admit that I have been very depressed about it all from time to time, but I have a tendency to feel sorry for myself and has always had a very pampered lifestyle..... thus I also have the most supportive husband and family as well as the greatest cardiologist! So I try very hard to be thankful for all the blessings in my life and also that pacemaker has saved me from a worse fate. All in all it gets better as everyone on this forum has told me in September, I think it is best to go with the flow and when you feel bad, feel bad and then you see the sun shining again! My cardiologist had said to contact him any time I have a problem or a worry and that also gives great peace of mind.
Then I can confirm that at first every little movement or sound or flutter in my chest gave me a great scare.... pacemaker also needs to settle in, and sleeping has been and still is to an extent, a big problem for me.
All the best for your early recovery time, you are very welcome to contact me anytime.
Regards
Zetha.

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.