First post!

Well I just joined the club! I'm 20 years old, and I had my pacemaker implanted when I was 19. I had been fainting basically since I was born, first time was when I was 8 weeks old (gave my mom a good scare). And then again when I was 2 months old. It didn't happen again, that I'm aware of, until I was 11. Then I would faint at least once a year, and sometimes many more than that. I didn't always faint, I would just get light headed and feel really sick sometimes. It was the worst feelings I had ever felt in my life. My mom took me to so many Doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me. They could never find anything. I was put on seizure medication, but it only made me feel worse. Finally, when I was 19, I decided to look into seeing a cardiologist again. My doctor didn't have a clue what was wrong, but she said that she would do all she could to help me. I had a heart monitor implanted, so we could try to catch what my heart was doing while I fainted. Turns out my heart was pausing, the first one we caught was 3 seconds long. The next one was 12 seconds long and my doctor told me I needed a pacemaker right away! Two days later I had a pacemaker! It hasn't been easy, but we finally figured out what was happening. Sorry for the long post! But that's basically the sum of my pacemaker story. I'm proud to say I have a pacemaker, and I'm not afraid to show off my scar :)

6 Comments

Congratulations!

by donr - 2016-08-27 07:11:16

You have a good, firm grip w/ a new reality.

Expect some bumps on the road ahead, but you will make it just fine. Your search for a solution w/ the cardio shows a great maturity at facing problems.

Maybe you will be our next 60 yr veteran at hosting a PM.

Donr

Welcome

by Good Dog - 2016-08-27 08:20:12

I am happy to see such a mature and positive attitude. I am sure that you have already discovered that you can live a completely normal life with a PM. I have only had mine for 30 years and plan to live much longer, but I think you'll probably beat me with your longevity. I was already in my 30's when I got mine. 

I hope you monitor this forum regularly, because you will learn a lot. However, keep in-mind that this isn't a full representation of the PM community. Most people go through life with a PM without any major issues. Many of the folks posting here are doing so, because they have issues. 

So you can expect to live a normal, long and full life. Enjoy!

David

Welcome!

by Tracey_E - 2016-08-27 09:37:34

Glad you found us!! No one wants a pacer but it has to feel good to know you finally have the answer to the passing out and that it shouldn't happen again. Most of us heal and get on with our lives. I got my first one in my 20's. I'm turning 50 shortly, have been through 5 devices, have 2 kids your age, am healthy and active. I'm so grateful my problem  has a relatively simple fix. 

Well done

by Jane S - 2016-08-28 06:39:06

Glad to hear you had a cardiologist who listened and was pro active. Know one wants a device in them, but they make a huge difference to your life. You will be safe now and able to enjoy what ever you set your mind to do.

Good Luck

Jane x

YOU ARE VERY POSITIVE

by pete - 2016-09-18 16:10:31

You are very likely to lead a normal life without a reduced lifespan.

Keep right on till the end of the road.

 

thank you!

by Hales1219 - 2016-10-17 20:14:23

Thank you for all of the positive vibes! It's been a bumpy ride, but I finally have a doctor who is willing to help me and work with me.  I'm still having heart problems, my heart rate has these weird drops, like 20-30 beats in an instant. Its happened over 9,999 times in the first year of having my pacemaker. The most my device doctor had ever seen was around 250 times in a year, she told me to stop being an overachiever ;) but they decided to be more agressive with my pacemaker, so I now will pace if my heart rate drops below 70 (my resting heart rate is around 78) and if my heart rate gets high, I think she said around 90-100, my pacemaker will be on an alert mode and if my heart drops 20 beats my pacemaker will go off.

You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

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I am very lucky to have my device.