New Season of Life!

A month ago I had no idea my 65 -year-old heart wasn't working just fine.  Then came very brief waves of lightheadedness and fatigue which kept me from taking my daily 2+ mile walks. Saw Dr.  after 10 days. Normal EKG & bloodwork.  Wore a Holter Monitor  for 48 hrs.  Before we got results my symptoms increased in severity & frequency.  Sept. 1 I blacked out briefly (felt myself fade out & shake but didn't lose consciousness) while getting ready for work and again while sitting at my desk at work.  My Dr. was out of town so they sent me to a "Radar Clinic " ... not quite ER,  but able to do more diagnostic tests). Normal  EKG & bloodwork  again. After a long explanation that "fainting due to heart problems NEVER is 'fade out/in' thing" I was sent home and told it was stress. "Wait & see if Holter Monitor showed anything "

After dinner that evening I blacked out again (hubby said I slumped over, eyes rolled back in my head,  and I twitched violently).  It scared him & he decided to call 911; I got ambulance ride to hospital. Normal EKG & bloodwork. Almost 2 hours later the blackouts started again... Over & over again! Never totally  losing consciousness.  Turns out I had 3rd degree heart block & the right ventricle was not beating for 6-8 seconds at a time with each blackout.  (officially  Paroxysmal Atrioventicular Block) Dr. said, "No one comes in with this and goes home without a pacemaker ". They inserted temporary pacemaker before midnight and surgery for the permanent one was at 9 am the next morning.  

I've been home 2 weeks now and am still very easily fatigued.  Discharge papers said I could return to work after 1 week,  but I still don't feel up to it.  Have my incision check tomorrow & hope to get a better idea if this is normal or I should be concerned.  Am trying to find a balance between pushing enough to get stronger and not overdoing. 

Found this group tonight & think it may be helpful. I'm  thankful the problem became clear & can be treated.  I'm optimistic that I'll be able to do all I could before,  but am still kinda shocked that "healthy me" has a pacemaker!  Thanks for listening! 

6 Comments

Loved your story!

by NiceNiecey - 2017-09-18 03:07:47

What an interesting read, Susie!  Welcome to our little club where you will find camaraderie and answers to most of your questions.

And you're definitely not alone thinking that "healthy you" had to get a PM.  I was 10 years younger than you and felt the same way.  "I need a pacemaker?!!  I feel fine!"  I had no idea how sick I really was.

As far as feeling fatigued, it's perfectly normal.  Like you, there was NO WAY I was road worthy, much less work worthy, at the 2 week mark.You will definitely begin to feel better and better.  Just give it time and give in to rest; you need it.

Niecey

New to Pacemaker

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-09-18 05:04:39

Welcome.  Many nice people are members here to offer support.

It takes time

by Grateful Heart - 2017-09-18 17:01:16

It is a shock and your attitude is great....all important!

Just let the doctor know how you are feeling and request more time.  The discharge papers were most likely written by someone who has never had a pacemaker.

Take the time you need...healing and balance will come.

Grateful Heart

follow-up

by SusieSparks - 2017-09-18 17:14:09

Saw the nurse for incision check  this morning.  She was a bit concerned that I am exhausted after a shower.  Discussed it with a couple more medical staff and they decided to run a check on my pm... showed my heart is doing the work 75+ % of the time and pm kicking in for the rest.  But my heart rate was pretty  flat where they expected a bell curve, do they turned on something to make it more responsive to changes in activities.  Said the rate should go up when I exert. (I think she called it a rate sensor adjustment,  but am not sure) So we hope that will help. She was good with me taking more time to recuperate before returning to work.  I'm blessed to have a very supportive work environment & they told me to take as much time as I need.

 

We stopped for lunch and a few groceries.  Time now for a nap! Thx to all of you for the support here.  

Rate Sensor

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-09-20 08:35:13

Any improvements?

Definitely improving!

by SusieSparks - 2017-09-29 20:59:14

4 weeks ago tonight I was in the ED after an ambulance ride.  And before midnight got a temporary pacemaker. Permanent pacemaker implanted the next morning.  I'm feeling better each day and was able to work half days this week.  Am back to walking at 3.1 mph. Have 12 miles in this week!  I see the Device Check team on Monday.  I'm still sore,  but the incision looks pretty good.  Thanks for the encouragement! 

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

Member Quotes

To tell you the truth I never even give it a second thought. While growing up it never stopped me from doing anything and to this day my girlfriend or my kids need to remind me that I have one!