Before the pacemaker

Young with a pacemaker

by Turbo - 2017-09-08 16:48:20

Hi Irina!

I received my pacemaker a week ago. Prior to that I haev been dealing with Sick Sinus Syndrome for years (before the doctors could figure out what was going on with me). Each episode of passing out got worse. Last year I passed out and hit my head. I ended up in the hospital, had an internal loop monitor placed and also a cardiac ligation in hopes of avoiding a pcaemaker. All was well until last week when I had 5 episodes where my  heart was stopping for 8 seconds at a time, I hit my head and this time ended up with staples. After that incident I was regretting not having a pacemaker placed last year. I am 47 years old and extremely active and I was worried about how this would impact my life. After reading all of the encouraging stories and having contact with some of the awesome people here I now feel more comfortable knowing that a pacemaker does not sentence you to a life of "I can't do that, I have a pacemaker." Instead, I may have a few modifications here and there but overall, if anything, I will actually feel better doing these things!! Good luck, Irina!

When there is doubt, there is no doubt !!

by MartyP - 2017-09-08 18:53:42

At 25 you have a whole life to live and taking drugs for a slow heartbeat may work in the short term, but I think you will worry a lot not knowing if and when you could experience a fainting spell - and who knows where you would be or what you might be doing.

I'm 73, and just got mine on May 27th.  The actual surgery was really simple, just took 1/2 hour and the recovery was quite easy.  Just no lifting anything above 5 pounds and don't raise your arm over your head for two weeks to give the leads a chance to heal into your heart muscle.

Just an FYI, my grandfather had one of the earliest pacemakers put in around 1960 and lived till he was 98.

For me it was a no brainer, my heart stopped for 31 seconds and I was excited to get my pacemaker, knowing that it will keep me alive.

If you are right handed, there will likely put it on your left side a little below your collar bone. The scar will only be about 3 inches.

While the thought of some surgeries can be very scary, this one isn't.

Once you have the PM and fully heal, you can do just about everything you would want to do.  There are some precautions such as staying away from generators and don't shoot a rifle from the side that has the PM, but overall you can do anything you want to!!

Just make sure the surgeon has done MANY of them and you should be fine.

Stay with us on this website as there are a ton of people who have tremendous knowledge and compassion and will help you along the way.

Marty   

Best Option

by ljharper62 - 2017-09-08 19:53:07

Both my cardiologist and EP said that the only long term "fix" for bradycardia and SSS is to get a pacemaker.

I know a lot of people who lived full lives and lived to a ripe old age being paced, including my dad. I had mine placed 3 weeks ago and feel so much better. Please do not be afraid, you will be fine.

Welcome

by NiceNiecey - 2017-09-10 04:20:10

Neat to have someone in our club from Moldova!

You should have no fear of getting a pacemaker and lasting only 10 more years.  I'm sure there were complicating factors involved with your father and I understand why you might think you have the same problem.  Is your mother able to tell you exactly what happened to your father?

Be encouraged that we have many members who are younger than you.  Many are much older but have been paced for decades.  Even babies occasionally get pacemakers.  You are NOT ALONE!  And you can do this. 

I am in my 50s and, looking back, I wish I had a pacemaker 20 or 30 years earlier - at your age!  It would have saved me a lot of trouble.  I was usually tired, had arrhythmias, wore holter monitors, etc.  My problem was basically not detected.  I am so glad that you know now that you need a pacemaker.  Like Turbo said, you don't want to pass out and crack your head open!  You've been given a gift: time. In time, you will come to terms with your condition and your need for a pacemaker.  Just don't take too much time getting it placed.

My prayers for you, Irina, and all best wishes.  Keep us posted.

Niecey

Thank you all

by irina - 2017-09-10 08:17:42

Thanks you all, for support, yes, i am really afraid, because i don't want to live only 10 years, like father, or 17 like my aunt, because she had a pacemaker too... what happened with my father, i dont know, everything was ok, he was alone home, and when we came home we found him dead. my aunt, fell in the street, and died...that's why i'm afraid. When i said that i feld bad...yes I also had syncopes, and symptoms characteristic of this disease, and now I fight with daily headaches, and insomnia...
My father had the surgical intervetion when he was 27 years old and when he died i was 2 years old, an my only memory about him is his pacemaker that was removed during autopsy, and maybe it looks strange but i keep it in a special box :)
P.S  And sorrry for my english, i know that i do a lot of mistakes, i hope you understand me.

Irina...

by Tattoo Man1 - 2017-09-11 18:06:16

Irina..I am so happy that you have found this Global Support Group.

For me. I do not think that I can compare my experience with yours..

But you have found this site....on behalf of this site I really do beleive that your needs and concerns will be supported by the fantastic-senstive contributors , here on Pacemaker Club

TM UK