Dealing with pacemaker

  • by Lee
  • 2008-05-01 11:05:37
  • Coping
  • 1696 views
  • 4 comments

I am a 48 year old that just got my pacemaker in Nov 2007. I had passed out in the Summer & was told that it was because of menopause because they couldn't find anything wrong with all the test they did. In November l had 4 lightheadedspells along with feeling dizzy & having a hard time breathing. Then l passed right out on the floor, l then went to the hospital & found out l also have a menigioma benign tumour. Which the Doctor thought was why l was passing out & then after giving me medication for seizures l passed out again & was hooked up to a heart monitor which showed l have a slow heart rate. My husband & son were very upset because we felt like the Doctor was not believing me when l said l was passing out, he did not believe until my husband & Mother witnessed it themselves.When l came home l was still getting ligheaded & have had to have my pacemaker adjusted twice so far. I am now doing better so far. Laurie


4 Comments

It like reading my own story all over again

by carmenmarie - 2008-05-01 09:05:00

Wow .....
I have had my PM since 2006 same reasons. And now nothing.
It scared me as I work in health care and I would pass out with out any warning.

they would call a code on me every time. the same thing it took being in the hospital for a week and out of the blue... I had one they shipped me off to surgery right there and then .I am doing quite well now. However I did have frozen shoulder and that was very painful.

I am glad you are doing better .....
Good luck
Carmen



dealing with pacemaker

by sindy - 2008-05-01 12:05:10

Hi, I'm glad you are doing better. You have been through alot. I had alot of dizziness and lightheadedness too. I was lucky I never passed out. I got my pacemaker 5 weeks ago. I'm still trying to get use to it. It is upsetting when doctors don't believe you, but you have to keep pushing. It is your body and your life. Take care and good luck.

Doctors

by ela-girl - 2008-05-01 12:05:59

Hi, Laurie.

I can understand your frustrations. I just started blacking out one day out of the blue. It persisted for almost 5 years--some days I would black out numerous times or many times a week or many times in a month. The doctors never believed me as tests didn't come up with anything and Holter monitors etc. never caught the 'spells' on tape. I was living in a prison. I put myself on driving restriction and would bang myself up pretty good from falling and hitting objects. My old cardio just drugged me up and said they would never put a pacemaker in someone as young as me. It wasn't until I moved states, had an episode at school (I was a teacher), and went to the ER did they catch my episodes on tape. I had a pm implanted via emergency surgery and have been perfect ever since! I have a great EP now who even got me off the medication my old cardio put me on because it wasn't needed. I've had my pm almost 2 years now.

I'm glad to hear that you are doing better now. Just goes to show that we have to be vigilant in pursuing answers to our medical woes.

Happy pacing!
ela-girl

lightheadness & headaches

by Moe - 2008-05-02 08:05:57

Hi Laurie
My husband had his pace maker put in 1/22/08 because he passed out they said he has a slow heart rate nothing else wrong perfect health he is still feeling dizzy and still has headaches any advise
Thank you
Maureen
maureenahend@yahoo.com

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.