I'm a new member....

Hello, I just wanted to send out a posting because Im new on here and I really havent been on any kind of site like this before. I wanted to just maybe get some advice or just chat with people who had the same or similar condition.
Well a little about myself..... I am a 25 year old female and I have a pacemaker and I had my first one implanted when I was 5. So I've been living with it for awhile obviously. I've had about 9 surgeries. I've had pacemaker changes, lead changes, I have even broke leads and needs them replaced so listen to your doctors! :) But when I broke a lead I was a kid and I just wanted to play sports and join PE class and do everything everyone else was but wond up breaking a lead. As I'm getting older I find myself understanding the condition but at the same time i have a lot of insecurities as well especially in my relationship. Does anyone else feel insecure or have relationship issues due to having a heart condition or is it just me?? I was interested in seeing if there were any younger people with pacemakers to relate with as well....
Hope to hear from some people..
thanks

8 Comments

Welcome!

by tcrabtree85 - 2008-02-19 04:02:57

Hi,
Welcome to the club. You have came to a very amazing place where I consider a lot of people on this site as family. The ages range from younger to older.
I completely understand where your coming from with relationships. I sent you a private message and would love to talk more to you and hear about your heart problem. Once again welcome!
Tammy

Welcome

by bionic_laura - 2008-02-19 06:02:22

Hi there,

I'm a 28 year old female pacer. I've had mine about three years now though I'm currently without a pacemaker and waiting for a new one at the moment.
There are lots of younger people with pacemakers on this site and I'm sure your long experience will be welcome. Sometimes it is hard to be a younger person with a heart problem as people don't expect it. Whenever I go see the cardiologist and my Mum comes along people always assume it's my Mum who is seeing the doctor not me! Also when you're young you're not supposed to be sick so that's harder to deal with too.

Welcome I hope you enjoy the site, it's a great place.

Bionic Laura

Dating

by heckboy - 2008-02-19 06:02:58

I'm a bit older than you at 45 and it was a little weird to tell my girlfriend that I had a PM considering my age and fitness. She was shocked as you might expect and was wondering if i was gonna drop dead at the drop of a hat for a while. She settled into accepting it very well after a few days/weeks.

My ex, on the other hand, never seemed to get used to it. i think it creeped her out as she would never touch the site.

touching pm site

by VonnieVern - 2008-02-19 07:02:14

Hmmmmm...I think I'll ask hubby to touch my pacemaker site and see what reaction I'll get!

touching pm site

by MHCHAMPION - 2008-02-19 08:02:21

I think I'll have my hubby touch mine, too :-)

Welcome

by ela-girl - 2008-02-19 10:02:46

Wow...lots of touching going on here! LOL Valentine's Day is over people!

Welcome, cutsiepooh. This IS a great place full of answers and humor and experiences and...well, you name it! Glad to have you aboard! I'm considered one of the youngun's on the site at 30...have had my pacer a year and a half. We'll love having your experienced pacer self with us on the site.

ela-girl

None here

by Pacing13 - 2008-02-19 11:02:32

I have had my pm for 22 years now and I am in my 30's. Personally I have never had insecurities or relationship issues due to my pm. Half the time I forget I have one, until one of my daughters nudge my shoulder the wrong way....ouch! Then they say "mommy I am sorry I hurt your heart :)"

Welcome and enjoy reading!

Would love to chat

by megspacin - 2008-02-19 11:02:48

Hey there, I'm 20 years old and my story is similar to yours. After being born with AV heart block and bradycardia I received my pacemaker at 10 years of age and had one replacement so far. I just found this site a few days ago and am interesting in talking to people similar in age. I have never met anyone young like me with a pacemaker and I am so excited to meet people with similar experiences, concerns or even different stories to compare. If you're interesting in chatting you can IM me anytime if you have aim/aol. My SN is luvlafter2 or feel free to message me.
I may be able to relate to your relationship issues. I have had some insecurities on the topic myself. Also about your other message posted, I wonder about rollercoasters as well. If you find out a definite conclusion let me know! I love them and don't believe it is a problem for me, however I am sure it depends on the condition a person has.

Hope to talk soon,
Meg

You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!