Opinion Please

You roll the dice

by Theknotguy - 2018-06-03 11:59:49

If you look around the forum you'll see postings by people who say their pacemaker was the greatest thing ever.  You'll also see postings where people say they are worse off and should not have gotten a pacemaker.  Don't know the percentage of plus comments versus negative comments but they're out there.  Unfortunately we can't tell how things will go for you.  

My other option besides having a pacemaker is to be dead so I fall into the sweet lemons and sour grapes side.  Regardless of how I feel about it I have to have it so it's sweet lemons for me.  Very quickly made up my mind I needed to get along with my pacemaker and am making the best of the situation.  Do I have the occasional thump and bump?  Yep, sure do.  But it's better than the alternative.  

Also, members on the forum aren't doctors and even if we had access to your medical records we probably couldn't give you a medical opinion anyway.  My suggestion for you is to contact your medical insurance provider and see who they recommend for a second opinion.  After that you'll have to roll the dice and come up with a decision.

I'd like to allay the angst and tell you everything is going to come out fine - usually it does - but it isn't always that way.  Just the same, I do wish you the best for the future.

Decision time? It's not now.

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-03 14:38:32

You really need to wait for the results of the 2-week monitor before you attempt to make a decision.

In my case, I had bradycardia which we already knew, but the real problem revealed by the Holter monitor, was that I had long pauses. I didn't want a pacemaker, but I wasn't going to live long without it.

The last time I looked at the statistics, around 90% with pacemakers do fine. They heal up and get on with their lives, feeling better and more able to do what they want to do.

Most or many of the people here fall in the leftover 10%. Complications like infection are rare, but they do happen, and a pacemaker, after all, is just a machine, but hearts are organic and unique to individuals. Some hearts adjust better and easier to being paced than others. Some doctors and technitions are better at adjusting pacemakers than others.

So I can't tell you that a pacemaker is a "magic fix."  Statistically, your life expectancy with a pacemaker is about the same as someone without a pacemaker. Today's pacemakers are true miracles of engineering, but they aren't the same as a normally beating heart. However, they are much better than an inadequately beating heart. Most people experience a real improvement in quality of life. Once you are healed up, there are ususally no restrictions.

But it's hard to figure out where you want to go, if you don't really know where you are. Wait for the test results before you try to estimate the cost-benefit ration to you of a pacemaker.

One more thing...

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-03 14:43:35

If you are not already seeing a Electrophysiologist or EP, who is a cardiologist who specializes in heart rhythm issues, you need to go to one.

Thanks for your time and info..........

by ole bill - 2018-06-03 19:36:21

1.  I'm not rushing the gun. just gathering info.  Remember, it was my Family Dr that said I needed a PM.  I relaize the Cardiologist must run tests and Agree to the PM

2.  Heart echo this coming Tue to check condition of Mitral Valve

3.  Maybe some days after Tue, I'll get the resuts of the 14-day wireless monitor and the echo??

4.  As I said before Ive had Bradycardia for 40+ years, but have been having declining symptoms for 6-yrs, but more sever in the last few months!

Life continues.  God Bless

Might be time for a pacemaker. . .

by tedd - 2018-06-03 23:17:32

Your story symptoms sound like mine.

Put oxometer ( that little thing they put on your finger and it registered 35!

Normally it should be around 70.

My primary doctor took me off beta blockers, but I still occasionally got waves (2-3 seconds) of lightheadedness.

Dr. referred me to a cardiologist, who put me on a 14 day Zio patch (Holter monitor. As fast as I made an appointment with him, my pulse started reading normally again- in the 70's. Still, I reluctanty agreed to wear the Zio patch Holter, but felt a little foolish, maybe I was worrying about nothing.

Two weeks pass, and he said he saw some pauses on the Holter tests.

I told him I took my blood pressure and pulse were fine during the two weeks.

Still he recommended I see a electrocardilogist , who are experts in interpreting the Holter tests results. Although I had normal blood pressure/ pulse readings. He should me the tests results: my heart paused for up to 6 seconds, 13 times during the two weeks.

He even had another heart surgeon to give his opinion. They both recommended I get a pacemaker right away. Further, they said not to drive till it is done.

So, this was fast and furious. I start going on-line to see if others waited. Some did and some got the pacemaker right away.

Rather than wait, and spin the wheel, I got the procedure. Want in the hospital Monday, went home the next day.

i was a little sore (not overwhelming) for only a few days. Now, two weeks out, I have no pain. Feel pretty good.

but am still taking it easy.

Blood pressure/pulse normal . I go the doctor to remove bandage tomorrow. They put a gauge like covering over the incision. I think they might have used dissolving stitches. Regardless, they will clean up the area. During the two weeks they told me to keep the incision clean, pat dry, that was it. No bandages to change.

I now have a backup in case my heart beat goes crazy. Without the pacemaker I had nothing. I can drive ( went back to work in three days). I didn't drive till I had my pacemaker per doctors recommendations.

One pattern that doctors proceed at is first you see your primary doctor, referral to a cardiologist and finally to an electro physiatrist who interprets the Holter tests.

if you are on Beta blockers that may be a cause for the bradycardia. Read up on them if you decide to wait.

now that I am getting a little older ( I am 68) My body doesn't react like I was a 20 year old. That is a realistic fact.

Be brave, face this music and if three doctors say they recommend a pacemaker for me, I am and have took their recommendations seriously.

The funny thing about choice, it is ours. Choice opinions can be swayed to what you want to hear if you research enough people giving them. 

I wish you great health and courage in making a good choice- for you.

Test results finally back ?????

by ole bill - 2018-06-07 19:41:45

1.  Echocardiagram showed minor Mitral Valve leakage, but nothing requiring intervention.

2.  2-week wireless heart monitor:  No pulse rates found below 35 and no other abnormalities noted.  Cardiaologist PA and MD both agree they see nothing requiring a PM.

3.  So I guess its get use to bradycardia and it worsening symptoms!!