Weird feelings..

Hi all,

I am 22 and last Wednesday I had a dual pacemaker put in due to multiple syncope episodes in the last 6 months that have resorted into smashing my head many times and many hospital trips. It appears I suffer from Bradycardia (resting heart usually in low 40's, and high 20's at night) and I have vasal vagal syndrome. Also the hospital notices my heart beat was irregular quite often. All in all, the ticker isn't really the way I want it. At 22, this has been like hitting a brick wall. I have always been an active weight lifter and have kept myself in top condition. I have recovered quite well over this week, althought my chest does become very stiff/sore if I use it in my normal activities too much. For this reason, I have held off going back to work as I have to travel by train 1 hr each way, and work roughly 8-10 hour days in my office.

The pain has been enough to make me play it safe and wait to go back to work, but I also have been feeling very tired and depressed lately. I don't know why. I understand that this surgery was to help me, and I welcome any help. But I just feel like my life has it a bad turn. I don't feel self pity as we all have problems, but I still feel...just not right. I also feel like I'm letting my work down by still not returning sooner (today is a week from my release from hospital). I also spent a week in the hospital under vigerous testing before surgery, which has left me drained as well. Is it normal not feel like myself yet after 1 week. The surgeon said go back Monday to work, but I got a note from my GP to be off longer due the stiffness/pain and my stress. I just wanted to make sure this is normal.

By the way, I always have suffered from Anxiety issues, especially related to work. But I have ignored them and left them untreated as well, which does not help with this issue I'm guessing. Anyways, enough from me, thanks for listening everyone.

Adam

5 Comments

Response to Adam

by rabbit - 2008-10-08 05:10:16

Adam,
I got a pacemaker put in in Jan 08. Even though I am lot older than you (62), I had been in good health so it was a blow to get a PM.
I, too, felt a little of "why me" and sometimes still do a little. And yes my energy was down after getting it.
But as time has gone on I have gotten use to it. While some day I hope to get it out, in the meantime I think of people with much worse situations.
Good luck...chin up.

Deal...

by dward - 2008-10-08 06:10:21

Adam,
Deal with your anxiety. Soon!
Help is out there. It may be hard to find, but the search will WELL be worth it.

If you do, I think you will find that many of your other issues clear up.

Peace be with you...

D. Ward

Time will heal you

by markjbaker - 2008-10-08 07:10:35

Adam,

I had my ICD put in 6 weeks ago. It was agony for two days, really painful for another week and uncomfortable for a few more weeks. Now I hardly notice it. How it felt changed over time as different healing processes happen at different rates. My GP signed me off work for 6 weeks and my company have been really good about it, they want me to be well before I get back to work. I expect your company would rather have you back later fit and healthy than too soon and have problems while at work.

Anxiety with a health problem is very normal and it is normal for health professionals to provide help for it. Ask for help and keep asking if you don't get it.

All the things you are experiencing are normal. Normal for one of us implantees, that is. There's lots of experience contained in this forum, please take a look around.

Cheers,
Mark

Welcome!

by tcrabtree85 - 2008-10-08 07:10:37

Hi Adam,
I am 22 also and have had my pm for a little over a year now. I don't get on as often b/c of my energy level. I wanted to personally welcome you to the club. The people on this site are wonderful and I have grown to appreciate the friends whom I consider extended family now.
Nobody can say they are not nervous with getting a pm and if they do they are trying to act brave. Having a pm has it ups and downs but overall it is a blessing. To think that your life is extended is a blessing.
I wish you luck on your recovery and know that you have friends on here to support you through the process.

Blessings,
Tammy

Hello

by PattiAnn237 - 2008-10-08 09:10:35

Hi Adam,

I'm 28 and have had my pacemaker since I was 11. I too had a very low heart rate and irregular beats, mine was caused by sick sinus syndrome. Things were really tough when I was younger, but when I was 18 I had a cardiac ablation that has made me symptom free.

Anxiety has been a big problem for me over the years, and something that I've really had to work on. I think anytime you have a medical condition it stirs up anxiety, but if you are already prone to it your thoughts can become really debilitating.

Try to keep your chin up, and don't be too hard on yourself about getting back to work. I remember (even though it was long ago), feeling "off" for quite awhile after getting my pm, but over time things settled down and now I don't even remember that I have it.

Good luck and take care!
-Patti

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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