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Reading...Reducing/Increasing Stress
Boy, the more I read, the more calm and reassured I am and then the more stressed and freaked out I am. I go for my PM next Friday and just when I think all I've read and considered about the whole deal have me feeling pretty ok with it all, I read something that gets me panicked all over again. Mostly recovery, but some concern about having leads removed one day (I'm only 35, so the chance is greater the longer I have them, I'm sure), infection, etc. In alot of ways I'll be glad to just have the thing done. I mostly worry about taking care of everyday things and caring for my kids (youngest is 2) while I'm recovering. *sigh*
AC
9 Comments
caring for your kids
by jbj - 2008-11-11 05:11:01
I am also 35, have now had my pm for 3 years, it was put in when my youngest child was 2, so I understand your concerns.
Don't underestimate the need for recovery time, whatever the medics say (mine told me I could be back at work the next day...). If you have someone else to help out with the kids they need to know you could essentially be out of action for a couple of weeks, at least with regards to lifting kids up. If you dont have anyone living with you you need to get some temporary help somehow. My kids were great, and my recovery fairly quick, but the youngest didnt understand that very squeezy hugs and jumping on mummy was off the agenda for a while. I tried to get back to normal too quickly I think, and ended up pulling one of the leads out of place 2 weeks later. I am not sure it was to do with lifting my daughter but it is likely.
All that said, since the PM has been in, I have never felt better, and can now look after my children safely and with the energy they deserve! Yes its a difficult process to go through, but once its done you can get on and live your life with your children. As electric frank says, we have a long way to go from 35!!
good luck with the procedure, and take care of yourself.
jackie
Stress
by Cschruender - 2008-11-11 08:11:19
Being only 15 years old there are many things that i'd wish to do now that I can't do because of my defibrilator. But indeed although it can be stressful being limited physically my defibrilator may have saved my life a couple months ago when it went off in my sleep. So even though its a tough burden having a defibrilator just remember that someday its going to save your life.
Its Human
by walkerd - 2008-11-11 08:11:45
To worry. Im 51 and had high risk bypass in Aug and my pm/defib put in in sept. Its put there to help your heart. I look at it like i have a little emt with me all the time. Like Frank said they have made so many strides in development of devices and the medical field. Dont not worry about infection just watch it every day, if you see a redness or it feels warm to the touch call dr. they are working for you so better to be a pest like i was. It will be fine, once its in keep a log of questions to ask, if you are like me i have hundreds of questions but when i got to dr didnt remember the questions i had, so i started writing them down. Let them know of anything after words, things may happen and they can make adjustments to device or meds. Think of it as a insurance policy for life.
youll be ok ac
dave
You will be ok
by jenna - 2008-11-11 10:11:23
I got my pacemaker at age 42 and I had twin boys at the time who were 3 years old. You can't lift over 5 pounds or raise your hands over your head for about a week. But that is small price to pay for how good you will feel after getting the PM...I used to cry all the time I was so tried and I wanted to do things other moms did with their kids. I couldn't even push them in the swings or carry them up to bed. l had afib and was being cardio-verted every week and it still would not stay in rhythm. I also have an artificial mitral valve I got when the boys were 18 months old. get the pacemaker I promise you it will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.. take care.. Jenna
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Thank you all!
by ADC - 2008-11-11 10:11:50
Everyone is so kind here. It truly is a support group! You all have made me cry! Yes, my husband will be here to help and my mom and a friend of hers too for most of Thanksgiving week. I'm planning to work the Monday and Tuesday, but if I'm hurting too much I just won't. The kids can go to school MTW so that helps too. I'm sure all will be fine; one can go crazy worrying. Last night it was fear of something going wrong before I can get the stinking thing put in! I've had no symptoms, no reason to anticipate that, but the mind can go crazy you know...
The comments all help alot. Thank you all for taking the time.
AC
Stress/worry
by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-11 12:11:16
Then there is a car accident or plane crash, or contaminated Chinese food.
I don't know which is the worse..being 35 and having so many years in which something can happen or being 78 like me and having a lot less years in which dying is a certainty.
Seriously, with the rapid advances in technology you will likely have a lot more options by the time you need to replace the leads. Generally leads last for at least a couple of pacemaker replacements and that is easy.
frank
Breathe
by ML - 2008-11-12 12:11:28
I had my pacemaker put in almost two years ago (11/29/06) 2 weeks shy of my 40th birthday. I did a lot of research before the big day. That ends up being a double-edged sword. Youre very well informed but have also been given every worst-case scenario possible. Having a PM wasn't an optional choice. My sinus node quit working which was significantly increasing my A-Fib and PVC's. The heart rate between 40-50 made just walking around a challenge. This is where the breathing kicks in. There is a place inside all of us that is a calm safe place. It can be elusive, especially in times of stress. The calm and reassurance you feel is that inner strength and outside support. When you feel the stress seeping in, take a deep slow breath and push out the thoughts of fear. Know you are caring for your body and doing what needs to be done to extend your life for you and for your kids. Kids can be very helpful and supportive in the recovery process. Just make sure and let friends, family, coworkers help as you need to care for yourself and take the time to heal. I still have "what ifs" i.e. freak outs bu my PM is an extension of me and whatever comes with it certainly beats the alternative. Peace and Take Care!
Positive Thoughts
by vikki1 - 2008-11-14 06:11:57
I had my ICD implant 3.5 yrs ago (I'm now 34). Prior to implant I'd spent nearly 4 mths in hospital as heart complications didn't present until my second pregnancy. It was a really scary time and I had to remain in hospital until a month after my son was born to have ICD fitted. To be honest .. I think if I had been sent home without it, I would have spent every day being paranoid that my heart would stop and I would die... My newborn son then cried non-stop for the next 3 mths. At the time I was scared of everything .. I was physically and mentally exhausted and it took nearly a year to get my mind set right. However,, I want you to know that it won't always feel like that. Things will & do get back to normal. You will experience a range of emotions, but don't worry it's all part of the healing process. All these years later that nightmare period seems like it happened to someone else. Complications with ICD's/Pacemakers are like complications with childbirth. Sure,, it happens to some people and that's awful, but the majority sail through with no problems and lead long, happy lifes .. and so will you. You will watch your family grow old and CELEBRATE your grey hair & wrinkles because you've been given the chance to see them.
As my doctor told me, I'm a whole lot better off than the other people who are walking around and don't know they have a heart problem who will have an attack and die ... we get a second chance ... sounds like good odds to me :)
You know you're wired when...
Batteries not included takes on a new meaning.
Member Quotes
It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.
lead removal
by Tracey_E - 2008-11-10 10:11:44
Here's the way I look at it... leads are intended to last forever but we all know it doesn't always work out that way. Odds are still pretty good they'll last through 2-3 battery changes and they can put two or three sets of leads in without removing any. Every year technology gets better. I'm betting that if I ever need leads removed, the process will be perfected a lot better than it is now. I have better things to worry about!
Infection is very rare! It doesn't seem that way when you read the other posts here. Keep in mind that for every one person here with a problem, there are hundreds of people with no problems out there and therefore no reason to search out a place like this. You can't go by what you see here and think that is real world statistics.
Read specific answers to your questions to calm your fears. Skip all the other stuff for now, you don't need anything new to worry about! Many, many, many people get pacemakers every week without any complications and odds are excellent that you will be one of them. Good luck with an easy procedure and fast recovery!