What does it feel like to have a pacemaker? And general questions.

General questions

by kiwibrat68 - 2018-08-02 23:12:26

Hi Robyn

Yes sorry that was the least important question I know.. I just wondering what it feels like under your skin or chest?

The cardiologist said I could have it in the normal position- just subcutaneous, or under the chest muscle- I don’t know what is the most preferable comfort wise?

cheers

scott

Pacemaker Imput

by princesskitty74 - 2018-08-02 23:16:40

Hi I’m 44 years old. I had PM put in Feb 18. I had a couple of hiccups 1. R Ventricular Lead dislodged and had to go back into surgery. Dr put brand new lead in. I had a few hospital visits and PM was adjusted. It took me 3 months to recover. I do feel better now and don’t feel like my heart is out of control. At resting and activity my heart feels normal. I make sure I don’t over do it. U can get 2 opinion from another dr. U might feel a lot better when u get it. A dr can speculate, but u could have positive results. I understand ur hesitation in getting PM. It is scary  but there are so many advanced PM.

Welcome Scott!

by AgentX86 - 2018-08-02 23:24:53

1. What does it feel like to have a pacemaker in your chest when it’s at rest?

It's a hunk of metal in my chest.  Mine is a little sensitive to the touch, still, but I don't have a lot of problems otherwise with it.  No problems sleeping or anything.  It's not a big deal, in any case.

2. What does it feel like when the pacemaker is activated?

Mine is always active (AV ablation = intentional stage 3 block).  I can't feel it pacing, if that's what you mean.  My heart beat is normal - a very good, and unusual thing.

3. Has anyone else been in my situation where they’ve been advised to have a pacemaker but initially resisted it with a similar cardiac background of stage 2-3 heart block?

I resisted the pacemaker, trying everything else first but as soon as long pauses were detected, it was "fix this now",  You're very near that situation.  A stage-3 heart block isn't something to fool around with.  I wouldn't have hesitated a minute.

4. Did you actually feel better once the pacemaker was fitted?

Unbelievably so.  I got mine for a very different reason, though.  I've had highly symptomatic Afib/Aflutter, which the AV ablation and PM fixed (almost) completely.  I felt almost high, all the time but about a month later I started feeling worse again.  That lasted a couple of months and, now, for the last couple of months, I'm back to feeling really well again.

Again, your needs are very different than mine but I'd never go back.  I really don't think you have a choice, either.  It's not going to get better on its own.

Welcome Scott

by metzzman - 2018-08-03 00:39:55

My situation is very different as I'm a bradiacardia type. I've had mine for about 2 months and it has turned the clock back at least 10 years. I waited too long and was frequently in the low 30's BMP.  I've done a lot of traveling iand walked hundreds of miles in the last few months including high altitudes. I experience a little pain in my shoulder after swimming and some mornings. Otherwise it was the best move I've made in the last 10 years. I'm nearly 66. I'm pretty active and I'm feeling 50 or less.   

Thank you

by kiwibrat68 - 2018-08-03 02:58:43

Thank you so much for your comments everyone - I really appreciate it

Agent86 - thanks for your comprehensive response - yes it sounds like I need to bite the bullet.

The condition has got progressively worse, I’m freaking out about having one placed as I have lost some confidence with the surgeons in charge here in New Zealand.

I only had a simple SVT situation to start off, but ended up having 3 ablations - with 2 registrars, and the final one was completed by the consultant and he got it right.

I also have kidney disease which doesn’t help either.

Anyway, thank you for all your advice and I will be sure to post here when I get it done.

Cheers

Scott

Feels normal

by Theknotguy - 2018-08-03 10:30:58

Scott:

You ask what it "feels like" to have a pacemaker.  After four years it feels normal.  i.e. Most of the time I don't really know I have it.  Yes there is a lump where the pacemaker is implanted but I only notice that when I get up in the morning and see the scar while I'm shaving.  The remainder of the time it's under clothing and I don't see or think about it.  

I pace 80-90% and really don't know it.  It just feels like a normal heartbeat to me.  I'm not conscious of the pacemaker initiating a heartbeat.  So I can go on with a "normal" life same as a person without a pacemaker.  Yesterday I worked at the charity workshop.  I work on the "cut crew".   We cut parts for furniture assembly and moved about 1500 pounds of wood.  I kept pace with all the other members of the cut crew moving pieces of wood as needed.  That included moving 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of 3/4" melamine at 55 pounds each.  Got really sweaty and dirty but didn't think about my pacemaker the whole time.  Too busy keeping up with the other members of the cut crew.  Then stayed on after they left to do some specialty cutting and cleanup.  Probably moved another 200 pounds of wood all by myself.  Didn't think a thing about it.  You would probably have to remind the other members of the cut crew I have a pacemaker.  

I know of three other people who have pacemakers.  Two of them don't like to be reminded they have a pacemaker.  The third pays little attention to his pacemaker.  He doesn't know the manufacturer, doesn't know what kind of heart problem he has, and is quite happy that way.  He just goes on with his normal life and sees his EP when reminded.  

I probably am more aware I have a pacemaker because I'm regularly on the forum and have been since 2013.  So I'm a little more aware than most.  I also have afib 17-19% of the time and am reminded of heart problems because of the afib.  So in that sense I'm more aware of the situation.  I'm also one of the very rare individuals who can feel my afib.  When they first implanted the pacemaker and the voltage was higher I could feel when the pacemaker initiated a heartbeat.  After they dropped the voltage I no longer felt my pacemaker initiate a heartbeat.  Doctors and everyone else will tell you my situation is very rare.  Most people can't feel what I do and most aren't aware like I am.  But as I said above, most of the time I'm not even conscious of the fact I have a pacemaker.  

Hope things progress well for you and you have positive results.  

much better

by hopefulhearted - 2018-08-04 10:44:09

I have had a pacemaker since June 6, 2018.  I resisted the idea of it and questionned the need for it. I am 65, have always been  very fit but started having symptons about three years ago.  I feel much better now that I have it and symptons are gone. 

It takes a while to get used to the idea that you have a device implanted, but I am getting there.  Most of the time I forget that I have it.  I am very glad I got it.

General questions

by kiwibrat68 - 2018-08-05 00:06:56

Thanks so much for your responses theknotguy and hopefulhearted - both are reassuring for me.

Im 49 years old and my exercise tolerance has decreased a lot - I’m hoping that a pacemaker may help with this as well although I’m not sure.

i think I will go back to the cardiologist and discuss things further and then make the appointment to have the pacemaker fitted.

its so good to hear positive stories, although I know every person has a different experience and there can be technical issues after the initial placement.

Thanks again for your responses and I will be back on here with any progress - this is a great site!

Cheers

Scott

You sound like me!

by Queen50 - 2018-08-06 09:34:34

Your story sounds very similar to mine. I had and ablation that blew out my av node which put me in stage 4 heart block and I had a pm installed 4 days later. What a difference in feeling. I’m only 4 months out and I feel like the same person I was before minus being winded at the top of stairs and inclines. I don’t feel anything with the pm in there. Occasionally, if I lay funny I just have to adjust myself. Hope this helps. 

Thanks

by kiwibrat68 - 2018-08-08 23:47:19

Hi Queen50

Yes that does sound like me! -and yes it does help to hear your story.

Thanks again

Now have a pacemaker!

by kiwibrat68 - 2018-11-16 05:02:08

Hi 

just an update 

‘I had an episode of pre syncope and then ended up in hospital.

I had the pm fitted a few hours ago and feel ok but had one huge shock

The monitor said I was going into asystole and it freaked me out!

But apparently it’s just when your natural pacemakers are fighting with the new pacemaker?

i was asymptomatic at the time but became very stressed when the nurse came running in!

Does anyone know the name of this condition? ..and is it frequent?

Cheers

scott