35 year old needing pacemaker

Hi everyone.
Im a young 35 year old male with sick sinus syndrome. I have had fatuige related issues for quite a few years now. I have had so many tests that all came back normal except for my low heart rate. I get very fatuiged, weak, poor memory and exercise intolerance. RHR usually in the 40s.
It has been a long hard journey with several different doctors to finally get a diagnosis.
My cardioligist refered me to see an imunologist to rule out any immune diseases. He said if nothing was found, I would be getting a pacemaker. So nothing was found, I guess im up for a pacemaker.
Im really worried. Im worried it might not work. Im really hoping that this is the right diagnosis. I have been monitoring my HR and it does match the symptoms when it is low. I guess I might need some reassurance.
I also love the outdoors, I dont like the thought of pepole staring at a bulge in my chest. I know it sounds vain.
Hopefully it will make me feel much better. I might be just a big sook lol.

9 Comments

35 year old needing pacemaker

by rod80s - 2016-03-09 01:03:03

Thanks for the encouraging words. I have been anticipating this for a while, but it never seemed like it was really going to happen until now.
Are there different types of pacemakers? I need a dual lead pm I have beem told. Not sure what other questions to ask when I go back next week. I operate large machinery at work, how much time off will I have to take?

Worry is normal

by Theknotguy - 2016-03-09 01:03:35

I feel everyone with a pacemaker goes through the worry of whether it will work or not. It takes a while living with it to finally get comfortable and stop worrying.

If you look around this forum you'll find people with pacemakers living normal and above normal lives. The only difference is we have this piece of metal just below the skin. We have people with pacemakers sky diving, skiing, biking, weight lifting, running marathons, and doing all sorts of athletics. So the pacemaker in and of itself is not a limiting factor. Mostly the limits are in our minds and due to the underlying heart conditions.

The bulge mostly isn't noticeable. Once I have a t-shirt on, you don't know I have one unless I tell you. Once again, your mind tells you it's bigger than it really is.

I went through a rough start. It took me a while to get up to the 100% I was before I had the pacemaker. I'm now better than 100%. Needless to say I'm very happy with the results.

One thing to put in the back of your mind is that you don't have to like the situation. I don't like the fact that I need a pacemaker to survive. But I am very happy with my life with it.

I wish you the best.

a new beginning

by searchingwoman - 2016-03-09 02:03:50

I truly can say that I have been there...done that! I was 36 years old when I was told that I needed a pacemaker. I was scared and didn't fully understand how bad I felt because I accepted how I felt as the norm. That was 27 years ago! Thank God for pacemakers!!! I just received my 4th pacemaker last Monday. You will be surprised at how great you will feel. Pacemakers are a new beginning...Enjoy your new energy!

a new beginning

by searchingwoman - 2016-03-09 02:03:51

I truly can say that I have been there...done that! I was 36 years old when I was told that I needed a pacemaker. I was scared and didn't fully understand how bad I felt because I accepted how I felt as the norm. That was 27 years ago! Thank God for pacemakers!!! I just received my 4th pacemaker last Monday. You will be surprised at how great you will feel. Pacemakers are a new beginning...Enjoy your new energy!

The best thing I ever did!!!

by snorko - 2016-03-09 04:03:05

I was 27 when I got my pacemaker. It is pretty much not noticeable at all. Hardly even a scar! This thing literally was the best decision I ever made. When I came out of surgery, I felt AMAZING!!! While the recovery was a little emotional (more than painful), I have to say that this was absolutely the right decision. I would never go back on that. I have actually become an advocate for my cardiology office, and speak to other patients who are feeling uncertain about the choices they are needing to make.

Each person's journey is different, and I can't say what the right decision for you is. However, if you have felt like crap for so long, I think that taking this step may just possibly give you the active life you've been hoping for. After a few months, you won't even know you have it, except for how good you feel.

Trisha

Rod type of PM

by BillH - 2016-03-09 04:03:27

You asked if there are different types of PM's. If you need 2 leads that means that you will have a 2 camber device.

Most likely you will need rate response or need it in the future.The purpose of that is to speed up the HR when needed do to activity.

Most PM's use an accelerometer, while that is OK for many persons it does have some limitations. Some types of activities require a higher heart rate then indicated by the accelerometer. The other problem is that some types of vibration can cause the HR to increase HR more than needed.

Some models from Boston Scientific, Sorin, and Biotronics have better systems.

The Boston Scientific and Sorin have an option for using a mix of the accelerometer and increase in breathing (minute ventilation).

Biotronics has a system called CLS (closed loop stimulation). Basically is based on how hard, not fast, the heart is beating.

My concern is that a system that just the accelerometer will increase the HR too much when operating heavy equipment. This is possibly a problem with the blended systems.

Make sure that you discuss this with your doctor before hand.

35 year old needing pacemaker

by rod80s - 2016-03-09 06:03:48

Thankyou all for your replies. Im feeling much more confident about it alredy!
Im a bit confused about all the different PM's out there. I will have to do some investigating and discuss it with my cardiologist.
I agree that the machinery with most likely interact with the accelerometer. There is a lot of vibration involed.

No bulge

by Snowy - 2016-03-09 12:03:12

I recently had a PM installed and they place them really deep in a pocket. I have no bulge and only a tiny scar on my left shoulder. There is no reason why you cannot still enjoy the outdoors and when all is healed no one will know that you have this implant. Don't be worried I can guarantee it will work. I know I had the same issues thinking this will not work but it does and it will improve your life 100%. Don't ever class yourself as a big sook as everyone is scared when it comes to anything to do with the heart. Believe me I went through a lot of scary and sookie times so you are not the only one. If this is what you need then be grateful that they have finally decided to give you one, it's like getting your life back again. Best of luck and keep in touch. Denise

Here we go

by rod80s - 2016-03-16 02:03:56

So I just had a follow up with my cardiologist. Im getting a Biotronik pm next Thursday.
What are your experiances with Biotronik?
He said I can return to work after about 3 weeks. He said
I should be able to use my arm as normal after 2-3 weeks. I have read that most dont move their arm abouve shoulder height for 4-6 weeks. Im a little confused. I need to give my employer an estimate on how long I will be off.
Also he said he will put it above my muscle and it should show a bulge. The photos I have seen with the pm just under the skin show a clear bulge.
Anyway im nervous and a little excited at the same time. I really hope this is the answer.

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.