PTSD

I see there is some research showing a high incidence of PTSD in people who have had heart attacks.

Get ready for the same for new pacemaker recipients. Maybe this is the cause of the emotional feelings that are being reported.

I'm not convinced one way or the other as yet, but thought you might be interested

frank

8 Comments

A thought

by ElectricFrank - 2012-06-22 02:06:22

Clockman hit it on the nose with the experience of nearly dying. Whether this is in our face as with multiple defibs or just in the back of our mind with heart surgery or pacer it isn't an easy one to deal with. My experience in dealing with therapists (psychologists, psychologists, and counselors) in my business made it very clear that they hadn't dealt with this one themselves. Oh sure they can keep a professional distance and give advice, but when it comes to the real thing it's different. When I gave presentations on relating physiological measurements to what a client was experiencing during a panic/anxiety attack the group would get very uneasy. I remember once describing in detail the feelings of passing out and wondering if it is the end.

So in many ways we have at least these choices:

1. Try to ignore it (A loser)

2. Try to find a med that helps without making us into a zombie. (This is a valid approach that helps some folks)

3. Try to find a therapist that isn't spooked by it. (probably better but takes some scary work)

4. Come to terms with our own death. (this one isn't easy, but solves a lot of life's problems)

wow, that's profound,

frank

PTSD

by Sue H. - 2012-06-22 08:06:27

Thanks Frank for the info and I hope this is true, e.g. study of emotional response in patients receiving pace makers.

My personal view is it is long overdue. Yes many patients had no emotional issues after receiving pacemaker but if you go back and read comments on here? Many many of us did have a hard time adjusting to the fact a little computer was helping our heart.

So many of us were given a pat on the back after implant with the assumption that there won't be any issues emotionally. I remember asking the nurse/tech at one of my first interrogations if there was a support group for pacemaker recipients....her response was --- no, and why would you need one. So much for empathy from the medical community on this issue.

Sue

Wow! Cool question....

by pacergirl - 2012-06-22 11:06:04

Absolutely spot on! Many, many of us had a rough time dealing with this life changing/altering event! I'm so glad that finally some people are listening. Just because we "look just fine" does not mean that we are emotionaly "OK".

I agree with what Magster is saying... "a pat on the back after inplant" So, very true.

Thank you Frank for sharing what you learned.

Pacergirl

Needs some resarch.

by clockman1 - 2012-06-22 11:06:27

Hi ElectricFrank,not written on here for a while. I agree about post heart attack patients having PTSD. I had my pacemaker in Feb. this year,traumatic at the time and a few PTSD symtoms. Then in April I had a massive heart attack and survived mainly due to being paddled back to life 3 times. The surgery and pain can be dealt with one way or another,I soon got over that.What is hard and I am sure is some form of PTSD, is dealing with the range of emotions and thoughts that I damn nearly popped my clogs that day, couldn't really have been any closer. I do think some sort of counselling or at least a chat with a Dr. could be offered shortly after the event to those need it.I am no wimp,and I am sure others with the same feelings aren't either,but it is life changing no matter how quick the physical recovery is. Yeah, someone needs to look into this. Thankfully I'm getting past this now, but it still pops its head up now and then.
God Bless all who help on here.
clockman1

The Unknown

by ElectricFrank - 2012-06-22 11:06:48

The medical types are terrible at dealing with a patients feelings leaving a sense of hopelessness. What is interesting is that the ones who issue pats on the back are the worst when it comes time for them to face having a pacer.

Something that interests me is whether there is any relationship to the experience that brought on the pacer. In so many cases it seems that the person goes to ER with some scary symptoms or has passed out and then wakes up with a pacer. Put together a scary experience and the unknown of the pacer and you have the makings of PTSD.

frank

Depression after heart surgery

by Mary1998 - 2012-06-22 12:06:06

I think those on here who have had open heart surgery will confirm their docs tell them it's not uncommon to have depression after you have had heart surgery. It's my feeling a PM installation is a smaller version of heart surgery. Your heart has been messed with, but to a much lesser degree than the open heart surgery.

I know when they installed my PM, I had depression for a short period of time. I think for most of us, the depression will pass quickly. If it doesn't, then outside help is warranted.

Mary 1998

by ElectricFrank - 2012-06-23 11:06:55

Mary
Thanks for sharing your feelings. There's no "right" way to handle any of these situations. For me it is important that I face reality and deal with it.
I agree that we have to believe that we will be okay, but something has changed for me in recent years. Dying is OK. In fact my interest in new experiences oddly make it exciting. That doesn't mean I'm in any hurry, but neither does it hold any terror.

A few years ago when I was having a problem with lack of capture in my pacemaker I found myself experiencing long pauses in my heart beat. I was sitting in my recliner knowing that if the next beat didn't come soon I would pass out and likely die. One way or the other it wasn't going to be long before I found out. I have no belief as to what the hereafter holds, but again maybe it will be something exciting or maybe nothing.

The beauty of all this is that I have an incredible freedom to enjoy myself. I agree with your friend that enjoying life to the fullest is the way to go. However, a good cry every so often sure feels good.

The trick to all this is really mean it. The confirmation comes when waiting for that next heart beat or breath.

best,

frank

You made me cry...

by Mary1998 - 2012-06-23 12:06:01

Frank - geez, seeing this in black and white emphasizes it for me. I think we all "justify" our symptoms and tell ourselves we will be okay. That's what we HAVE to believe. I know I did a couple of weeks ago, as I was as afraid as I've ever been. I began praying that God would let me make it to the hospital in time. I make a joke out of my situation now - actually could be a hit comedy routine - but when you're living it, you're scared to death.

I told everyone around me I would be okay, yet I was praying like 60 because I didn't know what state my PM was in because they had turned off so many of its functions. I wasn't sure it would kick in in time for me, as I was experiencing wave after wave of fainting feelings. They kept coming, they didn't stop this time as they had in the past.

I would like to share the words of a dear friend of mine when I asked her how she could be so happy and "up" when she was fighting her battle with cancer. (We all knew she was terminal.) Her reply was, "I'll be damned if I'm doing to spend my last days on earth crying. I'm going to enjoy my life to the fullest."

I think those are some very powerful words.

You know you're wired when...

Microwave ovens make you spark.

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