Questions?
I am struggling with the decision to have a pm implanted now or wait for a while. I have some questions for my doctor but thought maybe some of you would have some suggestions on what I should be asking.
First let me give you a little back ground. I am a few years away from 40. I have been having chest discomfort for the past 6 years. About 5 years ago I had my gallbladder removed and that seemed to help a little but the chest discomfort never went away but I had shoulder pain as well and that did not return. I was put on blood pressure (beta blockers) medicine as I did have high blood pressure about 4 years ago. In the past two years I lost a little weight and started running. About a year ago and a half ago I passed out so I was taken off the beta blockers as my blood pressure seemed to lower to normal and my pulse had also was less than normal (attributed to the weight loss and exercise). My blood pressure has been normal ever since however my pulse is still in the 40s. After passing out a second time a year ago my doctor sent me to a cardiologist. I have had stress tests preformed; tilt table, 24 hour and 2 week monitors. I still have chest discomfort and light headedness and the occasional dizzy spell where I think I am going to pass out. Staying hydrated seemed to help a little but not really. The only thing they can tell me is my internal pace maker is not performing as it should and I would benefit by have a pacemaker implanted.
They are ready to schedule me for a pacemaker but I do not think I am ready to accept it. What questions do you think would be beneficial to ask of my cardiologist?
Thanks in advance.
8 Comments
Questions
by VonnieVern - 2008-06-20 07:06:41
Ask your cardiologist to be frank about the short term and long term risks involved in getting or not getting a pacemaker. Consent or refusal should be with adequate information. Most times we can make the right decision if we truly understand what we are risking. Remember, you (and your loved ones) have to deal with the consequences of you decision. One of my doctors said to see my pacemaker as insurance. It only seems costly if we never use it, but if you need it and don't have it, that consequence is irreversible.
Vonnie
Weigh pros and cons
by Swedeheart - 2008-06-20 08:06:40
Hello,
I am on day 117 since my pacemaker implant. I got mine for heart block and had a couple of icky "spells". The bottom line for me was my heart condition wasn't life threatening at this point, but I was feeling very tired and dizzy sometimes. The doctor's didn't want me to drive or walk by myself in case I had a dizzy spell ~ didn't want me to fall and hurt myself or be driving and have an accident.
With that said, I can tell you I did not want the pacemaker! It was an agonizing decision for me... but my doctor highly recommended it, the bottom line, better now than later in an emergency situation. He told me my condition would only worsen. How quickly ~ unknown. So I agreed and had the pacemaker.
I am not the "poster girl" for pacemakers, but I am coming to grips with it at this point. I do feel better and I can drive again and have my independence once more. I just had a checkup yesterday and they explained to me that I was paced very little, but it is a great backup system for my heart. It kick starts it when needed.
What questions to ask. Lots. I would ask them to thoroughly explain to you each of your health conditions, what the pacemaker would or wouldn't do for you. How will it improve your quality of life.
I would also thoroughly discuss the entire financial situation. I do not know where you are or what country ~ if you are in the US hopefully you have good health insurance. Be prepared for the expense.
One thing that seems to be the general consensus around here is that doctors seem to think recovery time is a snap... well for many of us that isn't the case. It took me 6 weeks before I could sleep in a position other than my back, and I still can't sleep on the side my device is implanted ~ left. I still don't have my full strength and vigor back that I had before I started having heart problems, but I am slowly getting better. You will not be able to lift your arm over your shoulder for 6 weeks or lift anything heavy following the implant procedure. If you have young children at home, this could be a concern. You may need help for a week or so if you have a really active family.
I would also ask and do research on placement of the device. The standard placement is under the collarbone on the left side. Some folks have them place it in different positions because of active lifestyles, etc. I can tell you as a woman, your bra strap will irritate the site if not always, at least for quite a while.
Now all of this sounds pretty negative and somewhat gloomy... it is a difficult decision, but if it is a now or later kind of thing... get your ducks in a row and go ahead and do it if the benefits outweigh the risks. It won't get any less expensive, you won't be any younger in the future.
It does give many of us some depression knowing we have heart issues/problems. Any long term illness or health problem can do this and you need to have positive and helpful people around you to give you the emotional support you need. The folks on this website are great that way!
I guess the bottom line is ask all the questions you can think of... read through many posts and topics here, use the search button at the top to find posts on various topics such as pacemaker placement, recovery, etc.
Good luck.
Swedeheart
Pacemaker or Not?
by Pookie - 2008-06-20 09:06:25
I think VonnieVern hit the nail on the head!
I too had the time to make "the" decision, and I went for it as I also think of it as a type of insurance or like a back up generator. It gives me peace of mind knowing that my heart cannot go below 60 as it was going into the low 30s at night. I only use it 27% of the time but where would I be or how would I be without it.
Write all your questions down and ask your cardiologist to be completely frank with you.
Just remember, we are all here for you and feel free to ask as many questions as you want.
Pookie
Question to ask cardiologist
by ted - 2008-06-20 09:06:52
You are obviously not problem free with fainting and a pulse in the 40s. What will waiting a little longer accomplish except possibly endanger yourself or others if you are driving a car when another fainting spell occurs? These conditions rarely go away by themselves.
I would guess that many of us were not quite ready to accept the advice to get a pacemaker. I don't like reality sometimes. I don't like the law of gravity either. I wish I could fly. But sometimes we have to accept the facts of life as they are and not as we wish they were.
I only had one question when my doctor told me that it was time for a pacemaker. I said: "If you were me, what would you do"? I walked out of his office with a date scheduled for my implantation. Good luck
Not Easy
by richan - 2008-06-21 04:06:38
Hi H-D,
You might want to seek a second opinion - help confirm or dis-confirm the information that you have.
As you can see from these comments there are a lot of experiences here. For many, it really is a love/hate relationship that we establish with our PMs.
I did not have a lot of choice with the threat of going into heart failure.
I hope things go well with you and your decision.
Peace,
Richan
ITS OK !
by lahbigbro6 - 2008-06-21 08:06:24
What happen to me, was I would pass out every so often over the years. I was taking seizure meds since my 20's. But, then a doc suggested I take a tilt table test many, many years later and I failed, so I was thinking so what ? But then I passed out, went to the hospital when my heart rate drop to so low because of neuro cardiogentic syncope. That was at age 42, they put a pacemaker in me, now I am 49. So, its ok ! Get the pacemaker.
Get more info
by bini - 2008-06-21 12:06:21
I have been fainting due to a condition called POTS-Postural Othostatic Tachycardia. This has been causing my Blood Pressure to drop rappidly upon standing. I got a Biotronik Cylos and I LOVE it.
I would as your Dr the risks in getting a PM and also why he thinks it would help you.
Before I got my PM I had a list of questions and I made sure my EP answered all of them.
Good luck with whatever decision you choose!
Christine
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by Suzzy - 2008-06-20 04:06:01
I would be more inclined to go the direction that the Cardiologist feels is best. If he feels that you need a pm - why put off the inevitable. You will acept it just fine.
Keep smiling