my first posting

Hi,I am 57 and I have my pm for under 6 months and now I am having a hard time dealing with it. I was fine in the beginning(once they got my pacing correct)but now I am very emotional. My pulse went down to 22 and I still felt fine(had no signs that I was in distress). I know I am very lucky....Are there therapist that just deal with "post surgery depression?"I also feel like my incision pulls all the time. Any suggestions?

8 Comments

Welcome

by NH - 2008-01-29 04:01:05

Welcome to a wonderful support group. Just begin reading all the postings and responses and you will gain a wealth of information about your PM and such.

Some of the members here are very, very knowledgeable.

Glad to have you!
Take care,
NH

Yes

by Holly - 2008-01-29 06:01:13

I had open-heart 2 1/2 yrs ago and I made the choice to go to cardiac rehab. They said I didn't need to because I was only 28yrs old at the time. Long story short, the place I did my cardiac rehab had a phycologist that saw the patients at least one time to make sure they were ok. Well I was not so sure that I wanted to see him cause I was in denial. Then I decided I would and he has been in my life since. He has been awsome. We talk about everything not just my heart but what is on my heart. So my advice is maybe you can find a specific person through hospitals that offer cardiac rehab. It is worth a try. I continue to struggle with anxiety about my pacemaker.

Take care

Holly

Therapists

by PreciousDays - 2008-01-29 10:01:41

There is actually a diagnosis for "anxiety related to medical conditions" - call a few therapists near you and see if any are familiar with techniques for working with someone who has a new pacer.
When I realized I wanted help with learning to cope with the new diagnosis and extra equipment in the body -
I also looked for therapists who dealt with additctions (food) because I wanted someone who would be comfortable with my struggle with my altered body image. (I am not struggling with a food addiction - but I have pretty difficult time identifying with my body at times - as do many who struggle with food issues) and I wanted someone who dealt well with grief issues - because for me - this was a tough thing to do - especially when I found out the leads were recalled before the incision had even healed. So I was angry, grieving, barginning - all the usual crap we do when things get out of our control and completely change our lives.

I think the therapist would have been very helpful - but I soon lost my job (due to health issues) and we have been dealing with that instead. :-)

Good luck
PD

Thanks

by kaka - 2008-01-30 02:01:21

I am also on xanax 5 mil ( which I only take 1/2 when I feel I really can't cope. My Dr just gave me Lexapro to help me "over the hump". I hate having to take all these meds. I am also going back to my yoga classes( they were a great stress reliever before my pm).Hopefully they we be just a benificial now.

Same

by Jules - 2008-01-30 04:01:26

Hi

Welcome. I have only been on this site for a matter of one week. I have now had my PM for 2 weeks and getting use to it. I had a slow rate of 29/30 at night and that is the only reason I was given the PM. I too am very depressed, nervous, and always questioning things. From being an active person, I have become a hypochondriac (think spelling is right) hate taking the beta blockers, but want to feel better.

Anyway, just to let you know that you are not alone and reading the notes on this forum does help.

Thanks

by kaka - 2008-01-30 05:01:25

Thanks so much for the support and hope you are feeling better soon

Thank You

by kaka - 2008-01-30 11:01:12

Thank you all for your help....It's comforting to know that this isn't just happening to me. I am a very strong person and these recent feelings have really taken by suprise and knocked me for a loop.
I have a list of therapist I am going over now.....wish me luck.

brave

by kaka - 2008-01-31 05:01:47

My Dr gave me Lexapro for depression and anxiety and even though this is only my third day I do feel a little better....either I am slowly resolving things in my head or it's the medication......I was afraid I that I was being effected by the full moon.....I guess the hardest part for me was that I had no signs or symptoms and the next thing you know they rush me in for surgery(no time to think)...... How long has it been since your surgery?

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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.