47 male good health suddenly told I'm getting a pacemaker next week 28.th Dec

Know how feel!

by Vilpiz - 2016-12-23 22:40:31

Hello. I know how you feel! I'm 46yr old male and I went to an urgent care because I wasn't feeling 100% and then the next thing you know I'm in an ambulance on way to hospital. Within a couple hours I have a temporary pacemaker I and I'm talking to the surgeon who's going to place the permanent PM that night at like 7pm. Well that surgery goes bad because of a blocked vein but the next day brings a successful placement on the other side. Today's a week that I have the PM and knock on wood, I feel good. This is great forum to get answers and learn. It's a little scary still but having read the post from all the other people on this site really helps. Helps to know your not alone, helps to learn about things that might happen before they happen and help to know so many people on this site are living full, vibrant and vigorous lives after their PM placement.

Frank

How will it compromise my current carefree lifestyle.

by Good Dog - 2016-12-23 23:28:31

It won't compromise anything. I was age 38 when it happened to me. That was 30 years ago.  I have gone on to live a completely normal life in every way. 

New to Pacemaker

by TBrous&Chip - 2016-12-24 07:21:49

Do not expect any change in lfestyle.  I received a pacemaker in April, 2016 and have not slowed down yet.  I have been able to exercise and to travel.  The travel included going to Europe with planes, trains, automobiles and a cruise ship.

I find the hardest part to overcome is my mental attitude.  It is hard to just forget about the device being there.  Still waiting for a day when I do not think about it.  I certainly feel better and have no complaints about the pacemaker and it's benefits.

Humor helps-lots of jokes about being 'wired' by friends and family.

Good luck to you.  Hope all goes well.

Hmmm......... Dec 28th

by IAN MC - 2016-12-24 08:39:57

You may be OK , it is just possible that your cardiologist will be sober by then after the Xmas break !

Seriously, the procedure is a piece of cake, benefits are usually immediate and  you will be back to your normal lifestyle very quickly

You may need minor adjustments to the PM after a few weeks . Here in the UK these adjustments are done by cardio-physiologists who are a part of the cardiology team and you will be given a follow-up appt to see one when you have your implant.

You cannot legally drive here for 7 days after implant. On day 8 I had to drive 600 miles to the S of France and this was no problem.

If you have any post-op queries  you will find this forum to be really helpful

Best of luck

Ian

I am in same boat!

by Ileen - 2016-12-24 15:32:41

IAN is a hoot! He has me laughing!Yep, I have mine for 3 days, and with the exception of swimming the butterfly stroke or playing contact sports, we will lead normal lives. Now,my site is very sore, so gonna go get a Christmas cookie for pain! Hugs!

Thank you from the soon to be restored bottom of my heart

by JamieMac - 2016-12-24 22:19:38

just want to say a huge Christmas thank you to all who have responded, it really means so much. Just been to midnight mass and had what I think I  now realise is probably related to this bradycardia in that I found myself having to breath really quite hard and fast just to be comfortable sitting there trying to thank the Lord for my health. I have experience this several times on long distance flights in the last year but though nothing of it. I also now think I can feel eveyone of the 30 beats per minute I get but perhaps that's just me bring super aware all of a sudden. I have had a Le pulse rate for as long as I can remember and didn't realise it was an issue, so maybe I have just become  used to it over the years but now the effects are becoming more obvious..

Anyway, thank you and Merry Christmas,especially Ian Mc...

Good Luck!

by OIMAPRINCESS2477 - 2016-12-24 23:16:42

Well, I think I have you beat. I was 20 years old, healthy, but have short fainting spells. I NEVER expected to go in for a test that my GP doctor reccomened as a last resort to figure out why I was having my fainting spells. Everything else was coming out clear, I was fine, healthy, blood work was great. 

But boy, was I terrified when a cardiologist whom I have never seen before came in and told me the results of my test. I had fainted and had a 15 second pause! What?! Like I died?! She basically told me,  "You need a pacemaker or your going to die" and literally walked out of my room and left me with her physicians assistant. 

I will say, that in the beginning this group was a FANTASTIC help! I was a terrified child, that never expected something like this. 12/5/16 was my 9 year mark with my pacer and I am due for a new battery any time now. 

Basically don't worry about it changing things for you. You will have some restrictions, but it is very few. I do not go through those walk through metal dectors and I go to the court house often where it is requlired. I just opt to get a pat down by the officers. 

I wish you the best of luck! 

Brittny

Blindsided

by nightskye65 - 2016-12-27 12:44:15

I completey understand.  I got a PM on December 12, 2016, after collapsing at a restaurant.  I had five additional episodes in which I would faint and my heart stops.  I was diagnosed with vasovagel syncope, only a pretty severe case, in that my heart actually stops beating for 10-30 seconds when I faint.

I was completed blindsided, no family history, never had any major illnes or injuries, have always been very healthy.  I am a 51 year old, work out at the gym 5 times a week, probably in the best shape of my adult life and then this.  

I don't do well with any of this, I have very weak stomach and get quesy and struggle with needles, blood, IV's, incisions, even talking about all of this makes me quesy, tinglley and a little naceuous, which is also a trigger for an episode.  It is very diffuclt for me to deal with, not so much physically but emotionally and mentally.  I know it is just going to take some time.

You will be fine and I hope and pray all goes well for you.  It is nice to have others to share this journey with and get information, encouragment and support from.

You will have some restructions for a while, no lifting over 10 lbs on the side where the PM is places, have to keep it dry the week or two, no lifting your hand over your head for the first 6 weeks on that side, no submerging the area such as swimming, bathing or hottub for like 3 months, etc.

The only permanent restrictions I was advised of was no arc-welding, running a gas powered chain saw, no shooting a shotgun from the shoulder and to take my cell phone or other wireless devices at least 6 inches away from the PM.

I have one of the newest ones, which has a handy little device that I hold over it and blue-tooths to my phone, collects the data and send it in via an app on my phone, so can do remoate checkins three times per year, one in offfice.

Best of luck to you, let us know how it goes.

~Julie

Today 's the day !

by IAN MC - 2016-12-28 05:22:06

Hi Jamie      Just a quick message to wish you all the best for today

Let us all know how you got on

Ian  ( from frozen Bucks )

It's a privilege to join your club

by JamieMac - 2016-12-28 11:58:16

So there we have it. It's all done. Ian thank you for remembering it meant an extraordinary amount. I feel strangely connected to you, perhaps I could get you a well earned pint some day. My son has just started at school near Bicester. 

The procedure Took over 2 hours and [spoiler alert] it was surprisingly painful. A bit like when your Physio finds a tension area and sets about kneading it out. 

Appremtly I have a dual chamber Medtronic MRI safe pacer which sounds suitably techno. They had a bit of trouble getting a decent Atrium sensor reading so had to reposition the lateral one a little. (By the way being wide awake throughout was fascinating, well to me at least) observing the first class Royal Brompton London team communicating so effectively).

My consultant says they have also detected AF (look at me getting all technical) so I'll need to come back in 2 weeks to review that.

But all in all I can't tell you how good the regular 50bpm monitor sounds to me in my ward right now! Mild ache in left shoulder but that's all, amazing.  

Most memorable moment was when it was switched on, it was like my body became eerily silent. My whole life I have been  quite used to what I now realise was a rather exaggerated thump thumping of my low pulse, something I could feel always. I even developed a more or less failsafe party trick of calming crying babies who I guess must have been able to feel my 'beat'.

So from symptomless to fully club member in 10 I says I stand triumphantly and full of thanks before you, proud to join the ranks.