New PM Club Member

wow

by Tracey_E - 2024-10-25 15:44:42

I'm sorry you've been through so much! You'll find lots of support here! Hopefully knowing you're not alone and meeting others who have been down similar paths will help adjust. 

Have your doctors mentioned cardiac rehab? That's a great way to ease back into exercise because you'll be supervised and monitored.

Welcome to the club

by Good Dog - 2024-10-25 16:12:48

I am happy that you are here and hope you take advantage of all the support and information that so many others have to offer. There is a lot of experience and knowledge here to help when it is needed. 

I am wondering what, if anything, did they do or plan to do for you after your stroke and minor heart attack? Depending upon the location of the blockage, a stent is often the quickest and simplest remedy. In any case I am sure you will discover that your PM is not a big deal. As a lot of folks here often say; a PM is an enabler and not a disabler. I can attest to that since I've had mine for  almost 38 years. I take no med's and have no restrictions. 

I hope you hang-around for a long while and let us know how you are doing from time to time.

Again; Welcome!

Sincerely,

Dave

Bad luck

by piglet22 - 2024-10-25 18:26:23

Any procedure comes with risks, but pacemaker fitting is generally straightforward.

It might have been the camels back procedure and could have happened at some time regardless.

PM implantation is stressful, together with the reasons in the first place.

At least you have come through it all and are in good hands.

Your device is there to help you. Just listen to your doctors.

Best wishes for the future.

Welcome

by Lavender - 2024-10-25 20:48:08

I'm certain you're feeling lost and traumatized. As an active athlete, your familiar world has been replaced with the unknown. It's so unsettling. Your brain senses danger and you're holing up licking your wounds. 

I was going on with my life, busy doing many things at once when I had routine gallbladder laparotomy. My heart stopped then. It was determined to be anesthesia related and nothing more was done. 

Six months later, I started fainting. I fainted 25 times over six months before a 30 day monitor caught my rare arrhythmia of Ventricular standstill. I got an emergency pacemaker. 

Then I got agoraphobic. I was terrified to leave home and certainly not alone. I got anxiety. I felt old and vulnerable. I was disappointed in my heart for failing me. I made out my will. 
A psychologist told me to listen to anti anxiety meditation to self hypnotize. She recommended YouTube talks by Michael Sealey. Here are some for you to try, copy and paste:

https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=michael+sealey+anxiety

That was over three years ago. I am back to living my life, going where I please alone, planning fun events, going to sports events, etc etc. 

Fight back. Your medical team is working on your heart and stroke. You can work on your mental state. The way you feel now is natural. You will get back to living the life you enjoy. Your brain will turn down the alarm. Your medical problems did not take your life.  It most likely saved your life now that these sneaky hidden health issues are brought to light. 

May God heal your mind body and spirit. 

New PM club member

by Insane Bolt - 2024-10-26 09:48:37

Welcome!

Lavender amd Tracey_E were like dear old friends from the day I joined. Like all other's have replied- you are in great company. Here your heart is held in all members' hands. Had it not been for this forum I would have gone astray with all my thoughts after having had a PM implant. Take care dear new member, your worries and concerns are valid but 'least here you will be supported with 'hearts-on'  experienced PM people and bucket loads of care!

Insane Bolt

by Tracey_E - 2024-10-27 12:11:19

Awwwwww, thank you! That is always our goal here, to make you welcome and feel at home. 

Exercise after a heart attack

by Selwyn - 2024-10-28 12:00:15

DNC Paul,

Thank goodness you now know what is wrong and have your health in hand.

'Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know'!

I had a 90% narrowing of my coronary artery. Luckily I exercise and the resulting colateral circulation meant that I did not have a heart attack. 

Strokes are a recognised complication of having a myocardial infarct. I hope yours was minor. Most recovery from paralysis can be expected with physiotherapy. The sooner the better.

Exercise is definately better for you after a heart attack providing you don't have heart failure and you have advice about how to go about this  ( Cardiac Rehab.). Exercise halps prevents strokes as does anticoagulation ( I do both).

Get yourself on a cardiac rehabilitation programme- they are literally life-saving. Being sedentary puts you at  risk. 

(https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/practical-support/cardiac-rehabilitation)

Beware of electric arc welding and pacemakers.