New to pacing

Hi.... I am new to pacing.... had my PM installed three weeks ago. I have to say that this forum has given me so much information and dispelled mental anguish. I really appreciate all who share as when a person goes through this, we often feel alone, worried, and scared. I was diagnosed with bradycardia 15 years ago and after fiddling with thyroid medication for that length of time, last April I endend up in the ER with a cardiac event.... an extreme elevation of BP and tachycardia.... diagnosis was too much thyroid. Waiting game to stabilize the thyroid, they found my resting heart rate was 45 and at night dropping into the 30's. They determined with a Ziopatch that I had SSS and a tachy-brady situation. Therefore they couldn't address the tachy arrythmia without controlling the bradycardia first. I am turning 69 in a few short days and I have always been the Energizer Bunny that felt I had great control over my well being....(This mentally threw me for a loop. I felt like I would wake up every morning and find another body part had fallen on the floor during the night and I wouldn't be able to recognize it...lol... aging sucks). Even though my cardiologist told me that there was nothing that I did to cause the SSS, I had a hard time letting that go because have always told myself that I have control over my own health by how I treat my body..... Ugh.... The things we tell ourselves. After hearing all the stories here in this forum tells me that any of us, young, old, fit, can all find ourselves in need of a PM. Life isn't fair, doesn't always give us the answers we want but we have each other to help us through these rough and scary patches. I appreciate this forum and all of you who reach out to one another. 

4 Comments

Welcome

by Pacer2019 - 2024-01-31 16:44:06

Welcome aboard... I had mine installed 3 weeks ago today! It is my sedond one but i imagine we are about in the same spot recovery wise. have you been out dong anything? Back to work? Walking?  

i am off work but just today pushed it a little bit.... i am after that elusive answer : when i get a little winded or weak should I sit down or push it to get stronger !

Pacer 2019

by Memaw - 2024-01-31 17:17:29

Hi.... I have continued walking since I had my surgery give or take a day or two. I am not having any weakness or winded feeling. I actually recently started to walk my dogs carefully with a halti so they don't pull and I only use my opposite arm.... I have been outside kneeling and weeding with my opposite arm in the yard. I am a firm believer in listening to your body. If you are feeling winded, tired etc.... do what you need to do to feel good. All of us are different and recovery times can vary. The only time I felt a problem was about a week ago when I was mopping my floor. The act of pushing the mop made me feel the leads in my heart.... so I don't do that now. I can see how easy it can be to push the envelope though.

I am very careful with not using the left arm in a way that is contrary to medical advise....other than that, I feel normal and am itching to get back to all the things I love and want to do.

I am retired from the US Coast Guard.... I was a (female) welder and have a shop here at home. I was afraid I would have to give it all up but from what I can see.... I only have to give up arc and pulse welding..... Considering I have tens of thousands of dollars of equipment, I am glad I don't have to give it up fully..... but, if I did, I would find another hobby. I have never been one to just sit.

Have good thoughts in your recovery.... be kind to yourself and your body!

Angry Sparrow

by Memaw - 2024-01-31 17:26:55

Hi.... Thanks for your comment.... regarding the Normal range of motion.... I was told I can do normal activities with my unaffected arm but not to raise my affected arm above my shoulder or extend the arm to the back of my body and I have a 10lb limit on that arm for three months..... Otherwise, I can move my arm but not over extend in any direction. Does that sound right? Or do you think I wasn't told the correct thing?

moving

by new to pace.... - 2024-01-31 17:35:30

Yes you were told the correct moving of your shoulder and weight lifting.   .   In time you will forget you have the pacemaker .

new to pace 

You know you're wired when...

Microwave ovens make you spark.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.