Mixed feelings

Saw the EP doc today and he will take my pacer out on 11/18. I know this is what I wanted for a long time but I am a bit confused as well. I mean I have had this thing in me for the past 11 years and I kind of feel sad to not have it in me anymore. Does this make any sense to anyone? I also don't know how I can readjust to life without the pacer as I don't handle changes too well.

7 Comments

Mixed Feelings

by Pookie - 2008-10-14 09:10:23

Hi.

I can't imagine what thoughts are spinning around in your head lately. Not many people have the opportunity to have their devices out. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you!! It will be an adjustment for sure.

I guess my only question would be: why not leave it in and just get it turned down really really low., then if you ever need it in the future, it wouldn't involve a surgery.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Pookie



Not much option left for me

by 1of4kids - 2008-10-14 10:10:06

Pookie,
My pacer is in the ERI mode now, so it will not let the doctor do any programming. I have 2 options to test if I need the pacemaker or not. One is to let the battery die which will take months or just have the pacer taken out but leave the leads in.
As I am having trouble sleeping and more problems that interferes with my life since the pacer went into the ERI mode, so I want the pacer out instead of suffer for another few months. I just figured if both me and the doctor want to know if I can do without the pacer, why wait for the battery to die?
The doctor will take the generator out on 11/18 and will put me on the monitor for 2 weeks to monitor my heart and if my heart rate ever drop below 30, I will go in to have the replacement done. I guess my only concern is that what if my heart rate didn't drop blow 30 during the 2-week time frame when I am on the monitor but at some other time during my sleep?
The reason I had the pacer in the first place was because my heart paused for 7 seconds in my sleep back in 1997. I am hoping this was only one time thing but if it's not than I am taking a big risk with my life, but the doctor did say that even without the pacer I will not die. So I don't know what to think, maybe I should just believe what he told me. After all, he did agree to take it out for me or at least willing to let me take the chance.

Wow.

by Pookie - 2008-10-14 10:10:06

I didn't realize you were in the ERI mode. Sorry. You're right...I guess the only option is to have it out especially with all the problems that came with it. You need your sleep.!! and no need to suffer another few months...totally totally totally agree with you there.

What kind of monitor will you have after? Is there any way you could periodically have this monitor?

Good luck, I wish you the best and keep us posted.

Pookie

Always wait until the last minute

by 1of4kids - 2008-10-14 10:10:28

Pookie,
I guess he will put me on an event monitor for 2 weeks after the pacer is out to monitor my heart rate.
I wish I had gone to the doctor sooner than have my pacer went into the ERI mode, the problem with me is that I always see the doctor when I have problems, I guess I have had bad experiences with doctors and I really don't care to see them once a year for that 5 minute visit and have them tell me that the pacer is fine and ignored me when I told them I keep having problems.

RE. Mixed Feelings

by joy1 - 2008-10-14 10:10:40

Hi 1of4,
I totally understand your mixed feelings. The removal of my device is my choice and even though it's my choice I have mixed feelings. My device is an ICD so it is a bit of a different situation. In your place, I would be concerned because it isn't something you really want. It has been your security for 11 years. That's along time. When the doctors turned my device off, I was to go 3 months without it on to see if I could emotionally handle not having a security net.

Prior to your device going into ERI mode, what did your last interrogation indicate? At what level were you being paced? If there is any indication that you have been paced on a regular basis, I would be insistent about getting your device replaced.

Good luck and if in doubt about your proposed treatment plan get a second opinion.

joy

Prior to going into ERI mode

by 1of4kids - 2008-10-14 11:10:48

joy1,
The last interrogation of my pacer was on 8/12/08, and my pacer went into the ERI mode on 8/30/08.
This is what the report reads: AS-VS 32%,
AP 51%. VP 54%,

The one before that was on 08/02/2005 report:
it showed AP 54%, VP 62%.

My low rate was set at 60 BPM, so I guess my heart rate do go below 60 at times, but will it ever go below 30 BPM without the pacemaker (which what the doctor wants to know), that no one knows.

I hope you understand the reports better than me because I don't have a clue about the AS-VS 32% part.

Clarification

by joy1 - 2008-10-15 04:10:46

Respectively, "A""V" stand for atrial and ventricle. The "p" stands for pacing. I was not ale to figure out what the AS-VS stood for but i'm making an educated guess that the "S" stands for sensing so Atrial-ventricle sensing of 32% means it is sensing a need to pace 32% of the time of that percentage both your atrium and ventricle are being paced atleast 50+% of the times the device is sensing the potential need to pace. According to you that is anytime your your rate drops below 60 beats.

If I had your problem and if I had a pacemaker to deal with it, I would keep my pacemaker or demand it be replaced cuz your not getting younger. Double check with a nurse or better yet, go to the Cleavland Clinic site and chat with an online resource nurse there, as to whether my interpretation of your information is correct. Take the time to try and really understand what your body is doing and what the doctors are talking about it may well be your life you save.

Hopes this helps and good luck. Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek support here.

joy

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