New pacemaker

Nope

by AgentX86 - 2019-11-25 12:14:06

It's saved my life (figuratively and literally), for which I'm grateful. Same attitude as I had with my CABG.

Now I'm facing seizures, for which I have no confidence that they'll be able to fix, or even find a cause.that and the horrible drugs they prescribe do get be down at times.

Be happy, it could be a lot worse. At least you have a long term solution. You don't have dementia, for a good example.

yes

by Pacer2019 - 2019-11-25 12:37:25

One thing to know is it is not only normal its also common -  kind of puts one in touch with mortality I guess.    

I sturgged after a quintuple bypass at age 44 with my mental state - felt sorry for myself but bigger than that I was sacred to do anything which resulted in me....not doing anything.

I finally had a doctor tell me ....."if you dont embrace this new opportunity you have as one to get out and pushe hard what you fear is going to come true"....... Any man whoever said feared his demise is always right is how I think of it.

Now with a pacemaker 30 days ago I went through the pitty party with myself and was feeling the fear.

Pre Pacemaker just a month ago I competed in racquetball 3-4 days a week. My reputation was all about stamina and mobility on the court.

two weeks ago uI went out on the court alone and hit the ball some...I felt like garbage and like I had never hit a ball - enter more fear and pitty.

I almost checked into pickle ball and a mall walking group.

Saturday marked 30 days ...... I booked a court and found an opponent tp play. I played 3 games.  Showing up I had no idea what to expect and felt fear. Heart rate was 85-128 during those games estimated.

Guess what? POST PACEMAKER I am a competive racquestball player. 

So my point here is this : Focus on what you have control over which doesnt include having a pacemaker.  Dont fear disaster striking fear sitting around waiting for it to strike without mananging that risk - if you dont 100% it will. 

Manage the risk with a positive, resilient ,thankful attitude and maintaing your health to the extent you can.

Get well, come out of the corner , answer the bell, and start thrwoing hands at our opponent (heart disease) -

Post pacemaker depression

by Theknotguy - 2019-11-25 12:58:26

Post pacemaker and heart issues are common.  So you aren't alone in your feelings.  

Some doctor's and some hospitals have access to help groups.  I ended up working with a psychologist who deals with heart issues and trauma.  It really helped.  

National organization in the USA is Mended Hearts, although I had a bad experience with the local chapter.  People at the local chapter were into my-dog-is-bigger-than-your-dog.  If you didn't have a heart bypass they didn't even consider you to have a heart problem.  It was hard talking to the back of people's heads.  I didn't join.  I mention this so you are aware it might happen.  

Post pacemaker I can do everything I did before I got the pacemaker - and even more because I have a strong, regular, heartbeat.

Hope you can find someone to help with your depression soon.  '
 

Never...

by donr - 2019-11-27 11:13:49

...a minute. 
Donr

normal

by dwelch - 2019-11-27 14:16:15

This is all very normal.  Its a major transition.  what was wrong, why, why me, am I broken.  the media and movies/tvs make pacers sound like a bad thing which is opposite of the truth, the make us normal not abnormal.  pre-pacer that was the abnormal.   The anxiety is normal as well, what can I and cant I do (can pretty much do anything, very short list of donts or maybe nots), that felt strange is that normal, hairdryer, microwave, coffe maker, lawnmower, etc etc.  (all perfectly fine to use, almost everything is fine to use).

We all got past it, you can too.