pacemaker- Should I or Shouldn't I

When is it time?

by Gotrhythm - 2018-09-18 15:17:48

Well, you could wait. That's what I did. It didn't seem like an emergency to me--after all, I had never passed out. My heart rate was in the 40's.

The question I should have asked myself is what are you waiting for? How will you know when you have waited long enough? What would make you think now is the time?

I waited until it was an emergency. Not a path I would recommend. While I was "waiting" I had choices. Once it was an emergency I had none.

Do you drive?

by LondonAndy - 2018-09-18 16:01:05

You COULD wait until you pass out, but if you are driving at the time, or on the stairs, it might not be the optimum moment to make the decision, if you are still able to afterwards.

passing out is not a good criteria

by Tracey_E - 2018-09-18 17:45:13

Unless you happen to have a crystal ball to tell you when it will happen, waiting until you are passing out isn't the best option. We've had members pass out while driving, while on the stairs, then they had to contend with those injuries as well as getting a pacer. If you are symptomatic, it's time to do it. Getting dizzy means your body doesn't have the oxgyen it needs. It doesn't just feel bad, it's hard on the body. A normal heart rate is 60 so you're getting roughly 2/3 of the oxygen you need. Does your rate go up on exertion? If it isn't, that's even harder on the body. 

Many of us find after we are paced that we had no idea just how bad we felt before. It comes on gradually. We tell ourselves we just need to cut back on stress or get a little more sleep. We blame the symptoms on other things, we convince ourselves we are fine. Then suddenly we have a regular heart beat and I can tell you from first hand experience, it's a whole new world. I had no idea how bad I felt before until I felt good again. 

Like Gotrhythm, I procrastinated until mine was an emergency. My rate had been in the 40's but plummeted to 20 one day. I never passed out. It was like being drunk, I thought the purple fingernails were amusing and it never occurred to me I was in danger so I drove myself to the hospital. I hope my guardian angel got overtime pay. Emergency surgery is definitely not the easy way to do it. 

Choices

by Gotrhythm - 2018-09-18 18:49:29

Right now, you have some choice over what doctor will do the implanation, what hospital, and to some degree what you will pay. All surgeons and all hospitals are not equal and the bill can range from $13,000 to $75,000 plus.

If you wait till it's an emergency, you'll have to take what get.

That's what I wish someone had told me.

Choices

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-18 19:21:15

Not only can you shop for the pacemaker but you can shop for the best electrophysiologist and heart hospital, now.   When it's an emergency, you'll take who and where you are.  Now you have time to educate yourself.  Someday, that won't be possible (one way or another). 

Your heart won't get better.  The only real choice you have is when.  Well, maybe you'll have that choice.

should you or not...

by ROBO Pop - 2018-09-19 16:26:27

If I am in your will, and stand to inherit a large sum of money when you pass on, by all means wait and see.

If I'm not, get the dang pacemaker. Did anybody explain to you what is happening to your organs and brain when your heart rate is so low? They are slowly breaking down and dying. Wait long enough and you could wind up wearing a helmet the rest of your life. That's so when you slam your head into walls it's protected

When is it ime

by dabbler - 2018-09-20 17:41:06

I thought my heart rate was strange, went to MD to check, They did and EKG, heart rate was 37.  I felt fine, but MD said "you're going to the hospital!"  He called ambulance, priority. and had the pacemaker the next day!  Feel much better, Didn't think my fatigue was any more than aging a common misbelief. My biggest problem now is getting used to the idea that I'm running on a battery, but this technology is amazing, with many safeguards, and I'm getting used to the idea that I can continue to do what I had been doing, but with more energy, without the threat of catastrophe hanging over me..