New here

Heart is fine

by gleesue - 2017-04-06 17:37:10

Just because you have a PM doesn't mean you still don't have a strong heart. I like to tell people, I have a strong heart, it just doesn't work right. PM's are no bid deal. You will get use to yours. It just takes a little time. You probably will feel better and won't need to worry a lot about heart issues.

You will also be able to do everything you did before and do it better. Many of us exercise on a regular and do very fisical activities. I evercise 5-6 days a week. I golf, play tennis, lift weights, kayak, hike, jet ski, bicycle, coach soccer and more. I also like a glass of wine and a cigar once in awhile.

For now take it easy and recover. In a few weeks you will be raring to go.

And welcome to the club.

Jerry

electrical problems

by Tracey_E - 2017-04-06 18:15:32

You are still healthy! Electrical issues just happen, often in an otherwise perfectly normal and healthy heart.  Nothing we did caused it, nothing we could have done differently would have prevented it. Congrats on your weight loss and lifestyle changes. Keep up the good work! The best thing we can do for ourselves is keep our hearts strong. Living with a pacer is no big deal. I'm a few years younger than you but have had one since my 20's. There's nothing I want to do that I cannot, most people don't have a clue I have it.

Some people don't feel different, but they are safer after. Others, like me, underestimate just how *fine* we were before. Symptoms come on gradually, we compensate and blame other things. I had no idea how bad I truly felt until I had a normal heart rate again. Whether you feelthe same or better, I can tell you that you're past the worst. If you have questions as you heal and get back to activity, don't be shy. 

Welcome

by CrockerNut - 2017-04-06 23:03:52

I agree with gleesue and Tracey... A Pacemaker isn't a bad thing at all, and doesn't necessarily mean you're unhealthy. I'm 47, strong, healthy and active and many if not most people here are the same. One day searching for answers to another problem, I'm told I need a Pacemaker (Strong, healthy heart, just beats too slow). I accepted it quickly, but that changed after the implant (The people of this site has helped more than anything). I think we've all dealt with anxiety on some level after the fact. That subconscious can be a bugger. Talk to people here, talk to friends, talk to family and talk to your doctors. Communicate, learn, understand and help others understand your situation. Communication is a kind of therapy... You get it off your chest so to speak while learning and educating and at the same time it eases your mind. 90 days later my only stress is wishing they would hurry up and get the fine tuning of the device done.

New Here

by Bjay - 2017-04-07 01:45:58

Hi there Ga Cathy

I am also new, had pm inserted for same issue. 3 days post op and like you very anxious, like a rabbit in the headlights. I also have atrial tachycardia so am on minax as well.

Take heart from the posts on the forum, they are very experienced recipients, great support. When I am laying in the dark waiting for sleep and trying to ignore different sensations I get on the forum and get things back into perspective again.

My latest mantra is "Little steps Bjay". 😉👍

Your friend

by Sownman - 2017-04-07 14:37:33

The pacemaker indicates there is something wrong with your heart. They don't put them into healthy people.

However other than that I agree with prior comments. A pacemaker or ICD is not indicative of a death sentence or even disability. Far from it. I was diagnosed in 1984 with a lousy prognosis. Transplant or die, and 8 weeks might be too late. I changed eating and exercise, quit smoking and drinking. I spent the first year thinking I had a hand grenade in my chest with a real loose pin. A good man got me to see that was not true, even if it was I had already done everything in my power. I'm in charge of the footwork Ang God's in charge of the results. Stop worrying. I got my first ICD in 2004 and my second in 2011. I spent 32 years enjoying life instead of worrying about things I can't solve.

The pacemaker is your friend it will not only smooth out your hearts performance but it will record everything and keep you doctor informed of everything that happens.when my cardiologist would ask how I was, I said fine I think, ask the tattletale in my chest.

I got my second ICD removed last Feb as I no longer need one. It saved my live over 60 times. That's it in my profile picture.

God bless

Steve

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

by BOBJ - 2017-04-07 17:23:36

I assume from your post today is your birthday! Happy birthday!!!

I think we all believed or ignored the fact we are not immortal. In my case I was crusing along everything was fine and wham!!!! 100% occlusion -

Next thing you know you are the proud new owner of a crt-d. Cardiologist is advising your lucky to be alive most people don't live through blah, blah, blah.....

Truth is - Some of mine is genetic. Have always had it. But yes - you get mad, you get upset, you quit believing that you know your body better thatn anyone else. Now your disillusioned and, scared, anxious, maybe some of these maybe all.....

We all were some to lesser some more but it's hard to face the reality.

It sounds like you are going to be here a while. I hope so. You need to know is gets better. You are still a viable human being. It just takes time to refocus, collect, and regroup.

Hang in there! It will be okay!

Thank you

by FitMomma - 2017-04-07 20:27:56

Thank you for yourkind responses and your warm welcome! I am so thankful for this site and for you taking the time to respond to my post.

It is going to be ok! And I'm shooting for better than ok!

Cathy (aka the Birthday Girl today :-)    )

It is all at how you look at it...

by ChrisD - 2017-04-10 14:49:21

I have had mine for 3 years now.  I am 56 and was running, swimming, and biking and was in the best shape of my life when i noticed feeling very tired during workouts to the point where I finally had to go see a doctor. Heart is strong as a bull, valves are tight as a drum:  just an electrical control issue.  I went back to my routine after 2 months and had a bit of a challenge getting the setting adjusted but now all is well.  I tell people a regular heart is good enough for ordinary people, but some of us are a bit MORE than ordinary. 

welcome to the club

by dwelch - 2017-04-13 02:58:21

I am on number four going on number five in two weeks.  30 years with a pacemaker.  I was not even an adult when I got my first one and had absolutely nobody to talk to then (for a coupe of decades at least).  There wasnt even an internet much less this site, had to learn all this stuff out on my own.  

There are countless decades worth of accumulated experience here, it is awesome.  Take full advantage.  We know better than the docs about how to live with one of these things, how many of them have one?

It is far better to have a pacer and wish you hadn't rather than not have one and wish you had.

You will forget you have one, really!  Then you bump it into something and remember.  Eventually you subconciously stop bumping it into things or start protecting it, not cause you remember you have one but it just happens.  Every week is going to get better physically.  Emotionally, this thing is here to make you normal, not abnormal or special, trust it.  It may take some time to get used to the new smoother pace, maybe they bumped your minimum rate up above what you are used to so might have to learn to sleep with the higher pace.  You will settle in, soon...