21 With Pacer

Well I am a 21 year old female and just had a St.Jude's Pacemaker implanted. I was having a horrible time with fainting,dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue. The doctors said that I had something called Neurocardiogenic syncope and also something called sick sinus syndrome which causes my heart rate to slow considerably.. Does anyone else have either of these problems. I am also dealing with Sleep Apnea. I feel like I am the only young person with problems like these. If anyone has any advice on how I am going to handle all of these problem I would appricate it.


28 Comments

Age empathy

by Broken Hearted Jane - 2007-12-08 03:12:37

21 years old is indeed very young to be dealing with serious medical issues, but you're not the only one. I have had my ICD since I was 16, and I'm now 22. I was an active athlete in high school and perfectly healthy until I was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and had to give up sports. Later, I had an arrythmia at school and had the device implanted. I'm careful most of the time about pacing myself and managing my stress levels, but it gets away from me sometimes. I've had arrythmias that cause me to collapse and instances of elevated heart rates that provoke my defibrillator to fire (which isn't pleasant). I've been dealing with this stuff for quite some time, and while you'll never get completely used to it (and you shouldn't), things do get easier. As for the specifics of your problems, I can't really help you. Just thought I'd check in as a fellow twentysomething with problems ahead of her time.

NCS

by ela-girl - 2007-12-08 04:12:07

Hi, oimaprincess247...

I'm 30 and had my pm implanted via emergency surgery last year for severe bradycardia, neurocardiogenic syncope, etc. There are a few of us on this site that share your ailment. I'm sure they will see your post and chime in, too! 4 years of my life before the pm was like a complete blackout because that was all I was doing all the time besides sleeping. Many years before the blackouts started, all I did was sleep, sleep, and sleep! The pm has been a blessing and for the most part has even cleared up all my symptoms. I would write more but it is 1.30 am here, and I'm on my way to bed. You are not the only youngin' who was feelin' like a 90 year old, so hang in there!

PLEASE feel free to private message me with any questions or whatever. If you search the site and read some of the posts about NCS, you will find a lot of information that most of us have posted time and time again of our experiences with this condition.

Happy pacing!
ela-girl

PS: cute username!

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:02

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:05

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:07

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:14

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:18

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:21

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:24

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:26

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:33

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:35

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:36

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:38

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:39

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:40

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:41

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:44

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:46

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:48

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:48

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:50

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:52

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:54

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:57

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

Hi

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-12-08 10:12:59

Hi my friend I got my pm at 21 also I am 22 now. Let me be the one to tell you it is hard at points but somehow you can face it all. There are a lot more your age than you think. The people on this site are amazing and will support you through this change for you. I want to welcome you and if you would ever like to talk feel free to private message me I would love to talk to you. Take care of yourself. If you have made it this far you can get through it. Tammy

WELCOME!

by sweettartgirl23 - 2007-12-08 11:12:14

Hi,
My name is Laura and I'm 18 and a pre med student at the University of Washington. I had my pacemaker implanted at the age of 15 for neurocardiogenic syncope which would cause my heart to go into asystole (stop) for a few seconds. I am now dealing with constant tachycardia and see a specialist in April to discuss SA node ablation. Anyways, at first, I also felt like I was the only young person, and of course it made it even worse when people would either a) tell me how young I was for a pm or b) the comment "OH! my grandma/grandpa has one of those" and as a freshman in highschool at the time, that didn't exactly help :) Over the past three years with my pacer, I went through a lot of feelings. At first, I was a bit embarassed about it then I felt as if it were my battle wound so I would show it off, and now I rarely think about it and I'm SO thankful for it. I have also met several other young patients, one or two younger than me when they started out and many in their 20's. Feel free to email me with any questions!
Laura

From a fellow Pm recipient

by uvagershwin - 2007-12-21 04:12:25

This is Sydney and I got my pacemaker shortly after birth. I am now 13 and the reason for my PM is congenital heart block. I don't know what you are going through, but I just wanted to say I am supporting you because I know what it is like to have a PM. Feel better, Sydney

P.S. You aren't the only youngn. LOL!

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.