Having a pacemaker fitted

Hi, I am 53 and have been told in the last few weeks that I am more than likely going to have to have a pacemaker fitted in the future, it is for me to decide. I was diagnosed with Meniers Disease approx. 10 years ago which causes me to feel very lightheaded, sometimes for weeks on end. I take Serc 8 as and when required. However, back in October I fainted, for no reason at all. Since then everything has gone pear shaped. It turns out that I have a very slow pulse, 40 at worst and 61 at best, usually around 50 is normal for me, and this is why I feel so lightheaded all the time. I then started getting palpitations, but they cannot treat this because it would slow my pulse to slow. As the Cardiologist has told me, although the palpitations are unpleasant,they will not cause me to die, however, the slow heart beats could, be it in an accident in the car, falling down etc. The Cardiologist is a bit reluctant to fit a pacemaker at my age, his words not mine, but, he says I will have a much better quality of life it I have 1 fitted. I am in 2 minds as to what to do, because, having read some of the comments made by other patients, as regards side effects etc, Is there anyone out there around my age who could help me with my choice. If I choose to go ahead, my Cardio. has said that I can have 1 fitted within 2 - 3 weeks, which is really quick, and it does take a bit of "getting your head round it" if you know what I mean. I would appreciate any comments anyone can make. Thanks

7 Comments

No decision to make

by bobad - 2009-03-02 04:03:14

Bathboxers,

Don't let the doctor blow smoke up your keester. Either you need a pacemaker, or you don't. There's no decision to make, your body makes it for you.

The best advice I can give you is, if there's an option, don't get a PM. Believe me, you don't want one. If you really do need one, you have no choice. The only good thing about a PM is, there are things that are far worse.

Best of luck and health to you,,,

that doesnt make sense

by walkerd - 2009-03-02 07:03:46

that you are to old, im 51 and had mine fitted in Sept. If you need it you need it, I dont know what your other health matters are but that doesnt really make any sense at all. but im no doctor. I guess if you pass out driving that would be really bad both for you and someone inocent, I dont know anything about most of the heart conditions on here as I had to have mine fitted because I damaged my heart and needed the defib more than the pacemaker. I think umm I might get another opion from another cardioligist. Just my two cents worth.
dave

COMMENT

by AHONEYBUNNY - 2009-03-02 08:03:55

I AM 53 FEMALE, HAD MY FIRST PM AT 48 - BUT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS PRIOR I HAD BEEN BLACKING OUT - NOT FUN. GOOD THING IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE LONG QT SYNDROME. I AM NOW ON MY SECOND PM CUZ THE DEFIB PART WENT OFF SO MANY TIMES IT WORE OUT MY BATTERY.

OTHER THAN THAT THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE IS MUCH BETTER SINCE HAVING THE PM INSTALLED.

I HAVE NOT BLACKED OUT SINCE I HAVE HAD IT.
AS FAR AS I KNOW I DO NOT HAVE ANY MEANINGFUL SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE PM.
WHEN MY HEART RATE FALLS TOO LOW I SOMETIMES FEEL THE PACER PART TAKE OVER FOR A SECOND, FEELS LIKE A HICCUP IN THE HEART.....BUT NO PAIN.

I LOOK AT IT THIS WAY - I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE DEVICE THAN BE DEAD...BEEN THERE DONE THAT ...... ALSO NOT FUN !

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR DOC TOLD YOU - YOU WERE TOO OLD. MY MOTHER IN LAW IS 79 AND GOT HER PM LAST YEAR.....

REGARDS.....

no probs

by sputnick - 2009-03-02 09:03:13

I am 55 and had p.m. fitted 5 weeks ago due to sick sinus syndrome. my heart was stopping beating up to 10 seca at a time and I used to feel lightheaded and occasionally dizzy. I got 1 days notice about having it fitted so it was a bit of a shock.
I feel soo much better now and have got used to a few funny sensations which I presume are the p.m. kicking in when my heart stops. The only problem I have had is that, because I am so short and skinny my p.m. doesn't have a lot of fat to sit in and the site is still a bit tender, but nothing too bad!!
I also have an aunt who is 84 this year and had her 2nd pacemaker put in 6 months ago!!
I think you should go for it and not worry bout side effects,
All the best Jan

BillMFL

by BillMFl - 2009-03-02 09:03:27

Age isn't a factor. We have everything from kids to very Sr in here. Wouldn't it be a nice surprise if your Meniers improved after receiving a PM? Some of your symptoms could be related to your irregular heart rate. You are obviously symptomatic to the extent that it interferes with your quality of life. That plus your obvious Bradycardia would typically make you an excellent candidate for a PM. Most PM recipients go about their daily lives with little or no side effects and are free to enjoy a totally normal lifestyle.

Menieres

by Pookie - 2009-03-02 09:03:55

I have Menieres too!

I have a pacemaker (since Nov of 2004) for Heart Block. I was 42 at the time. Age has nothing to do with getting a pacemaker. I hate when doctors say that.

I also have Neurocardiogenic Syncope and Hypotension Intolerance, so having Menieres on top of that, I'm dizzy all of the time. Very very very hard to live with, but I take it day by day.

If your heart rate is that low and you are dizzy and/or lightheaded perhaps a pacemaker is the answer. Do some research, ask a lot of questions and even get a 2nd opinion.

I'm glad I have my pacemaker now. Now I know my heart cannot go below 60. Mine too was in the 30s at night and under 60 during the day.

Unfortunately, pacemakers can't help with a low blood pressure problem. dang.

I wish you all the best.

Pookie




feeling better

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-02 10:03:23

What Bill said- age isn't a factor. I got my first pm at 27, I am 42 now and feel terrific. We have kids here who got them the day they were born. I've had three replacements now, every single time someone at the hospital says "oh my, you're so young!". And I'm always the baby at the cardiologist's office, have been for 35 yrs now. *eye roll*

Please keep in mind as you read here that for every one person who had a rare side effect and comes here to research it, there are hundreds (probably thousands!) out there who didn't have any problems, and therefore no reason to find a resource like here. It's good to have your eyes open about what you're getting into, but know that complications are rare.

A hr of 40 is bordering on dangerously low. Your dizziness as well as stamina should improve significantly with a pm keeping your rate higher. Also, if you are not getting over 60 it sounds like your heart doesn't respond to activity, a pm should help that also and allow your rate to go higher as needed. All of this adds up to more energy and less dizziness for you.

Some of us see a huge improvement in our quality of life, some don't feel better but will live longer, we're all different. What we have in common is they help our hearts beat more efficiently. It's hard on our bodies when our heart rate is lower than it should be, it puts stress on our organs in addition to the obvious symptoms like dizziness. None of us asked for these things and it's always a good idea to do your homework and make sure you need it before you get it, but it's not the end of the world. I live a full, active life, as do many of our other members. Would I choose to get it? No. Are there things out there a whole lot worse? Oh yeah. :o) It takes some time to wrap your head around it, but it's really a very minor inconvenience compared to the benefits it gives us.

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