PM Newbie

Hi everyone,

I am 37 and had my first pacemaker installed 4 days ago after syncope episodes and a diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome. It happened pretty fast. Once I got to the cardiologist I was having surgery less than a week later.

I am already feeling better! so far I feel more alert and energetic and the numbness in right hand (2 fingers) is almost gone after being numb for weeks.

going from a resting heart rate of 38-40 BPM to 58-60 has made a nice difference so far.

5 Comments

Welcome

by chip - 2008-09-07 02:09:40

Hello and welcome! I've found this site to be very helpful and informative, I’m sure you will too. It also helps to find out that you’re not the only one out there going through a little adjustment in life. You said your increased heart rate has already made a difference for you – just wait it only gets better!

Hi Newbie

by Pookie - 2008-09-07 07:09:50

Welcome to this awesome club.!

Glad to hear that you are doing so well so soon after your pacemaker. Great news. Are you sleeping well too?

Keep up the good work! One day you'll feel like a million bucks.

lol

Pookie

Fellow syncope-er (is that a word!? LOL)

by ela-girl - 2008-09-07 10:09:39

Hi there, iraiam.

If you haven't used it already, there is a search feature in the upper right hand corner of the home page that you can use to look for certain topics. There are a handful of us on the site that had pm's implanted for syncope along with other issues. I am one of those! You can find and read about our experiences by using the search feature.

Glad to hear that the pm is making a positive difference in your life. I've had mine almost 2 years now, and I wouldn't trade in my little buddy for anything. It gave me my life back!

Happy pacing!
ela-girl

Made it back

by iraiam - 2008-09-08 11:09:24

Getting to know this website a little more.

Yes Pookie, I am sleeping well, as long as don't roll too far over onto my left side and wake myself up.

Thanks Frank, I'll do that and scan them into PDF and put them on my new thumb drive. I got a thumb drive and have the data sheets from St. Jude on my pacemaker and leads on it and put it on my key chain.

I seem to be loosing weight also? I had lost 80 pounds about 8 months ago trying to make myself feel better, I got down to 16-17% body fat and maintained there very well.

Now I am down 10 pounds from my pre-op weigh in (9-4-08). I'm not sure what is going on I'm going to call the doctor today and ask about it. I've been eating my usual diet, low fat with an 1800-2000 calorie intake.

Thanks for everyones input,

Ira

Lucky

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-08 12:09:28

You are fortunate to get your pacer so soon before your body had time to deteriorate from lack of circulation. That makes all the difference in recovery.

I had almost the same experience. HR down to 35 (26 the nite before implant), but I got mine in just a few days. When they turned it on during implant I could have jumped off the table and ran around the room!

One suggestion we give newbies..get started at your next check up asking for a copy of the pre and post interogation print out. If you have any problems or just questions there are several of us here that can help interpret the printout.

best,

frank

You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.