New Year's Baby

I could give you the whole long verson of the last 2 1/2 years but to sum it up 14 months ago I lost 106 lbs, took me 1 yr to do it, on my own no surgeris! Shortly after I began having proplems with low heart rate 40's but no symptoms.Went through all the heart tests told me all was well my body just needed to adjust. About 6 months ago started feeling very fatigued, cold just coudnt get myself moving, now they said depression. 2 months ago started fainting for no reason would just drop over. 2 weeks ago was admitted they said my heart rate drops to the 30's and stops for up to 6 seonds next thing I know Im the proud owner of a pacemker on New Year's Ever!

I thought I was handling everything pretty well till I got home and now wham! Im 47, did what they said lost weight exercise watch what I eat gave up red meat. I wasnt always heavy either only the last 10 years. But as I lay here recouperting Im a nervous wreck. Please tell me does everyone go through this? I get scared about it working that I won't live as long that Im not bouncing back as quick. I have two adopted children 9 and 4 my 9 yr old is autistic. I would love any alll input. Im glad Im not falling over ever other day just need someone to talk to ....Thanks

8 Comments

Hello!

by TKS - 2008-01-07 01:01:37

I was like you, on Monday I was in the hospital to try and get my heart back to a normal rhythm, dismissed on Tuesday and back in on Friday getting the PM. It's a lot to adjust to in a short time but you will adjust and you will feel much better as time goes on. Give yourself some time and take care of yourself as you recover.

Take care and welcome to the club!

Theresa

Forgot something that might help

by bowlrbob - 2008-01-07 03:01:22

Bowlrbob here again, I forgot to mention something my EP told me that really helped. It sounds like in your case as well as mine even though we had momentary heart stoppages mostly we were just having a really slow heartbeat. My EP said look at it this way you are better off than those without a PM because if your heart stops working the PM kicks in and the heart works. If the PM stops your heart will still work just not what you would like. Put in another PM and your good to go. He said think of it like your a trapeze artist and you are working with a safety net. all the time. This made me feel much better about my new friend, my safety net. Bob

A lot to get used too.

by bowlrbob - 2008-01-07 03:01:55

It is hard to wrap your head around it in the short term. You will with time. I had just about the same circumstances as you did. Fine 1 minute I thought and the next i am in an emergency room. I blacked out for 3 and 1/2 hours. Then just after waking up my heart stopped for 20 seconds. Next a pacer. WOW! I spent the next week wondering why me. I just want to go back to the way I was before all this happened. Then it hit me if things had not gone just the way they did I might have died. It's been two years now and I am truly glad to have a pacer. You will be too. Bowlrbob

RE: Bob's comment

by TKS - 2008-01-07 05:01:55

Bob,

I love your EP's comparison of the PC to a safety net. I wish mine had told me something like that! :-)

I too had the same feelings about why me and I just wanted to go back to the way it was before. But once I got used to the PM and pain went away it helped. I also was fighting some depression at that time and went through counseling. That really helped me a lot. Now I'm glad I did it because I feel so much better.

Theresa

Welcome and congrats!

by bambi - 2008-01-07 11:01:22

I always feel bad for people who have to have their pacemakers put in on an emergency basis! No time to think, or adjust, or take it all in! I just wanted to make one comment. An "electrical " problem with the heart is almost never the result of lifestyle, for example, not eating properly or not exercising. My heart is actually in very good shape, except for its inability to beat in normal rhythm. Congratulations on taking the bull by the horns and losing all that weight! What an awesome success! It will help you fight heart disease, something different than arrhythmias. You will find a lot of support on this site. Many people had their pacemakers put in on an emergency basis, and I know you will hear from them! Wishing you all the best,
Bambi

No Need To Worry

by SMITTY - 2008-01-07 12:01:53

Saphire,

Stop worrying. Just think of yourself now as a clone of the Energizer Bunny.

Do you remember the old Timex commercials where they show that poor little watch being run over by a Greyhound and when they showed it to us it was still working and they proudly announced "takes a licking and keeps on ticking." Well that Timex ain't got nothing on your pacemaker.

As for a stable heart rhythm, there will be times that even the PM can't keep it in perfect rhythm every minute of every day, but that PM will keep you alive every minute of ever day, regardless of the occasional irregular heart beat..

So enjoy what life has brought you. You've earned it.

Smitty

Hi

by Shelly - 2008-01-08 10:01:53

BIG congratulations on losing all that weight and welcome to this great club.

All your worries over your PM are only natural and this forum is a good place to air your concerns and get it off your chest - we all know how it feels, you're not alone anymore.

Try to get as much rest as your circumstances allow over the next few weeks.

Take care,

Shelly (UK)

Good Luck:)

by lucybell - 2008-01-09 08:01:14

Coming from a person that knew they were getting the pacemaker- I had it 4 days after I found out and honestly waiting and knowing you are having the surgery is not fun so I would not have been too sad to have emergency surgery to put it in:) You will be just fine- I had to have a wire in mine replaced about 3 weeks ago so I had 2 surgeries in 5 months and I was terrified and still get very scared. But just know that little machine is working for you and is like your own person angel on your shoulder. Great job loosing the weight- I bet exercising will be super easy now! Congrats!

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.