New Guy

I am 54 years old. I have worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic for 27 years and have been an avid hiker and Backpacker longer than that. I Just got my Pm a month ago after being diagnosed with SSS and Bradycardia. When the doctor told me I needed a PM I asked him 2 questions. Will I be able to continue working at my job and can I still go backpacking. He said get a desk job and go fishing instead. I would have walked out of the office except my wife gave me that look (you know the look) so here I am with this wierd thing in my chest.

What brought me to this site were some posts i read about guys with PMs backpacking! And I thought maybe there's some hope for me. My heart (although I'm not sure I can trust it anymore) tells me I can go back to work doing what I've loved doing all these years and that I can get back to the trails again. I've learned alot the last few days reading many of the posts, this is a great site. Thanks for letting me share my story and I'd love to hear from any paramedics out there with PMs still working. And any help with the backpacking is always greatly appreciated.
Dave

8 Comments

I think you may be able to hike again.

by bowlrbob - 2007-10-13 01:10:02

Every Doctor is different and every case is different. But if you have no other heart problems I can't see why you would not be able to hike or work or anything else. I am 65 years old I install carpet and vinyl it is very hard work. Lots of heavy lifting involved. When this happened to me I thought my career was over. That was 2 years ago. I started working again after 1 month and I still work everyday. I now am feeling better than ever. I don't get anymore tired than I did before. I also bowl as a professional amateur in tournaments and leagues as well as practice. I have had virtually no problems. If your Dr. still says you have to be sedentary then go see another Dr. for a second opinion. Just because you have a pacer does not mean you have to lie down and wait to die. Bowlrbob

I still hike!

by ela-girl - 2007-10-13 04:10:05

Hello there, Dave.

I am also a backpacker and like Cathryn, have only been day hiking since the pm carrying a 12 pound pack also. I didn't have any problems! It was great to get back out into nature. I don't know how comfortable I would be carrying a heavier pack for a longer distance, but day trips are just fine with me right now. So, hang there...there is hope!

And I have to agree with Bowlrbob--just because you have a pm doesn't mean you are damaged goods and can't do anything worthwhile and have to lie down and die. In fact, you're better and stronger. You're bionic! So, see another doctor if you must. If you are in good helth otherwise, you should be able to slowly resume exercise and activities you love. Just go slow and give yourself time to heal--no sense pulling a lead and having to wait longer to do the things you love.

And I think jessie is right...there are some other firefighters and paramedics on this site. Maybe post another message with something about that in the title...maybe they will come out of the woodwork?!

Wish you the best!
ela-girl

Much better off?

by auntiesamm - 2007-10-13 05:10:36

As a paramedic with all that you have seen and the people you have rescued, don't you think you are much better off with your pacemaker? You really don't need to worry much about your heart since it is covered by the PM. I believe you were in greater danger before your PM, especially if you did not know you had problems?

If you or your wife are at all handy you could purchase sheepskin like fabric and using Velcro fashion a padded protector to place wherever you need it on your backpack. Good luck.
Sharon

firefighters

by jessie - 2007-10-13 05:10:56

there are some firefighters at this site. who they are i don't know off hand but i hope you can speak to one or two. our daughter's b-i-l is a firefighter here in canada. he was sick with lymphoma and has recovered and has returned to work. i think you have good benefits. if you are healthy otherwise just because you have a p.m. should not make a difference. i hope that you find your answers. i admire your courage jessie

Thank you for the welcome

by dcrojas - 2007-10-13 07:10:11

Thanx for the feedback everyone. This site is just what I needed. I've never joined a forrum about anything so I was a bit reluctant. But I know that wisdom comes from experience and there seems to be plenty of both here. I will be sharing more with you and hope I can contribute some good as well.
Dave

I'm a Paramedic

by elleinad23 - 2007-10-21 11:10:02

I am a paramedic with a pacemaker as of 2 1/2 years ago. I don't really care what others and the dr says I can and can't do. I am determined to not just give up my love, and that is EMS. As we know there are not many EMS/FF desk jobs. Others I am sure will disagree with me on this but... I have struggled with SOB since before I had my open heart surgery the year before my pacemaker implant. I only have one thing that as far as a medic stand point is difficult is that my SOB lately has been pretty bad. I had to wait a few months after to return to work but that was it. I did (this just happened 2 weeks ago, so I am still pretty upset about it!) not pass a physical agility test at a very high volume place where I want a job desperately. In fact the lady kind of wrote me off, so I thought, after finding out I have a PM. It wasn't the lifting part at all, it was the beginning part where I had to step up and down on this step for 3 minutes. I was really SOB but said I was fine 2 min and 45 sec into it she says "I am going to have to stop you I am afraid that you are going to pass out." I was really upset because 15 sec and I would have passed. She said to call a cardiac rehab pace and I can try again in 6 weeks. Problem is that I have SSS and insurance won't pay for cardiac rehab for SSS. Anyway, I still work at 2 different services now and have been there since before my PM implant. No one has had a problem with me and my lifting nothing. As we know EMS is not usually filled with the slimmest most physically fit anyway and what is a PM compared to the walking heart attacks that work in EMS? Just my two cents. I think with time that at least the medic part you can do. I know that there are some FF on here, but I would be a little more cautious with that job. Hope thishelps. I would love to keep in touch as I don't know of any other EMS on here.

elleinad - why do you have SOB

by axg9504 - 2007-10-23 02:10:45

Are you having SOB after the implant? Why doesn't the PM help, or is there a delay? I'm contemplating getting one, so I'd like to know. Thanks

Adapting a backpack strap

by OpusIV - 2010-09-10 04:09:01

I just got my PM on August 5th and haven't been hiking much since - but come winter I will want to XC ski and carry a pack.

Looking over the WWW I found the following experience related

I added foam padding to the strap of a backpack that left a free space right where the strap would contact the ICD area. My pack was about 50 pounds. It worked fine. You have to make sure the extra padding is long enough before and after the gap to spread the weight of your pack out over a distance. You can get various types of foam at upholstery supply companies along with the glue that is used to adhere it to just about anything. I did alter mine alittle after using it for several hours. I rounded the edge of the foam so it would dig in. Worked very nice after that.

on the following site

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Disease/Hiking-with-a-defibrillator/show/446843

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.