Help!

Hi im new to this site. Ive just been told by my doctor that they want me to have a pace maker fitted. Im 20 years old and the thought of having a pace maker petrifies me. Has any body got any advice or experiences they could share with me? If so i would really appreciate it!!

7 Comments

New Pacer

by boatman50 - 2007-03-26 04:03:02

Hi Fiona, I got my pm on June 6th as an emergency and I am now 50. I can see how you would be scared and upset at 20. But think about this. How would your life be without a pm now that it has been determined you need one. I would not be here without mine.
The operation was easy, I was asleep for about 2 hrs, and no pain at all. You will have to take it easy for at least 6 weeks and not lift the arm on the pacer side over your shoulder for that amount of time also. make sure you get and understand all the discharge instructions and follow them! Its coming up on 10 months for me now and I can honestly say that I can easily forget I have a pacer. I work out every day now. Best of luck to you, Shrek! (boatman)

hi there

by valerie - 2007-03-26 05:03:18

Hi Fiona,
I'm Valerie. I got my pacer November 3, 2006 at 20 years old as well. So let me just say I completely understand what you're going through!
But, the good news is that since we're young, we're resilient, so recovery is tolerable; nothing that tylenol or other pain meds wont help.
You have to be patient with recovery time, however. Sometimes it takes awhile for the docs or pacemaker techs to get you at the right setting for your pacer. But once they get it just right, you'll feel great! The previous poster had some really good info for you; take it easy for 6 weeks, dont over-do it :)
Anyway, if you want to chat about anything at all, you can go ahead and drop me a private message. I found that talking to pacers close to my age helps a lot b/c they know what you're feeling and such. So please, dont hesitate to contact me :)
Good luck and please keep us posted.
take care,
~valerie

Hi!

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-03-26 07:03:44

Hi Fiona,
I am 21 and just got my pacemaker put in last week. I understand the fear and scare of getting one but let me tell you Valerie is right you will feel better. The 6 weeks of taking it easy is the hardest part for me. I have more energy than I ever have had and sitting around can get boring after a while. I recommend preparing yourself ahead of time with a lot of movies on hand and after your surgery if you need anybody to talk to feel free to send me a private message. This club has helped me learn more about things it is also nice to have people to talk to that have gone through what you are going through.
I know that it is harder being young and having to face the pacemaker but the scar isn't as bad as we all think it would be. Overtime you will get use to it. Please feel free to contact me anytime. Take care!
Tammy

Feeling is neutral!

by Georgeg - 2007-03-26 09:03:16

I am 58, here is my website to tell you what I do? click on it, it will take you right there!
http://georgegabriel.hitmuse.com/
it`s in French but if you click on "Ecouter les MP3" you will be able to hear some of my numbers in English!
why am I telling you all this? you may well wonder? well there it is! I think someone cursed me! (ridiculous! I know!) but been constantly told boy! you look so young and healthy! and in fact i won`t deny it! yes I felt always that way!
until one day, no other reason then having a constant cough always after my daily excercises! such as walking, treadmill, push ups etc...! I had a check up just because of this! No other problems! no faintings! or dizzy spells! NOTHING!
results? I was told I was very lucky to discover by accident that I had AV block very early stages! it means that the message from my own pacemaker to my heart which dictates the heart beat was pretty slow! the reason of my coughing after my exercises! No life threatening! but to be on the safe side, suggest that I have a Pacemaker also because nocturnal my heart paused once for 4.5sec! so? yeah! you better have a pacemaker! as if they were saying "go and have a milk shake!" Boy I was in SHOCK! was I ever! but a long story short! I don`t even know I have one! especially since I had my rate response turned of! meaning my own natural pacemaker is still doing most of the work!
I feel no different other that my coughing has stopped! and forget it`s even there!
well I hope my story will make you feel better? even though there is a large gap in years between us! But I dont honnestly feel the gap! the way I see it now is that my doctor tells me because I am not also on any medication at all! "George all you have now is an added insurance many dont have?" so guss what princess? instead of feeling sorry for myself? which I did a lot earlier! now I consider myself very fortunate with an extra gadget, that many out there who need one dont have? and dont even know they need one? so do as I do "Look at the bright side of life!"
regards, and hope you enjoy my website? you may also email me direct if you so wish? on my private email
ggab8879@bigpond.net.au
good luck!
George Gabriel

It's natural to be scared

by herbie - 2007-03-27 08:03:43

Hi, I had my first pacemaker implanted in January - I'm 23.

I agree with the previous messages - it's a tough thing to come to terms with! I must say, I didn't handle things particularly well at first and I still have the occasional "why me" moment, but most of the time I am thankful that I have my pacemaker - it has saved my life after all!

The previous messages are correct - it may take a little while to get your settings just right. Take it easy for a few weeks, don't rush yourself and you'll do fine.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Hannah

Dont get too stressed

by tricky45 - 2007-03-27 10:03:46

Hi Fiona,
Try not to stress too much, I had my first pacemaker implanted when I was 9yo, I am 28 now and about to have my third replacement later in the year. I know for you it is major surgery but be assured for the surgeons it is not, they do thousands a year. it will take a little time to recover afterwards like any surgery but it will improve your quality of life. If you have any questions or just want to chat, email me :)
Michaela

Pacemakers...They don't change your life!

by SBUGLIO - 2007-03-27 12:03:03

Pacemakers don't change your life unless you let them. It's nothing to worry about. You will just have a battery that makes you go...and when it wears out you will get a new one. No big deal. When I got mine 10 years ago I thought I was going to die...I did some crazy stuff...But hey I know I am going to be here a long time and it's a great conversation piece when there is nothing else to talk about...and I don't mind getting patted down at the airport...
Good luck and keep your chin up...just remember it could be worse!! You could bite into an apple and see half a worm!!

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

99% of the time, I totally forget I even have this device.