adapting to PM

I am 62 years young. One month ago I needed a PM. Heart was not getting electrical signals needed.
I have been an active runner for over 30 years. Mostly for fun and to stay in shape, but also run one or two marathons a year. This past year was tough to run. Now I am back to running. Run mostly foothill trails around the Wenatchee valley, where I live. Have built up to about 1 hour in length. At times, feel stronger and more relaxed than others. Question, have any of you who are active runners needed to have your PM adjusted upwards for more rigorous running ? Any tips you can give a newby ? Thanks so much. Glad to find this site. Did not get a whole lot of advice in this area of recovery. Had my PM installed at University Of Washington Hospital. Incredible Docs and staff !!!!!!! thanks.

4 Comments

Roadie

by FirstDuely - 2010-01-10 03:01:21

I'm sure this will generate lots of advise soon....
I do long road bike rides averaging 30 to 50 miles at a time, sometimes by myself and sometimes with friends. I hate hills because when climbing I need more oxygen and my high end rate is 140 which I think is limiting me somewhat. Maybe I can get in better shape and this will help but at 59 years of age I have my doubts. I will be discussing this with my pacer doc soon, believe me. Not being a runner I don't know how your doc will set you up. Riding seems to me smoother although our roads are certainly crappy enough to keep any pacer at the top end!! Up to this point I have just tried to ride up to my limit and then back off a bit and maintain telling myself I don't need to be fast nor a sprinter up the hills. So my friends just have to deal with it or ride on ahead trusting I will catch up eventually or get to the coffee break spot a bit later. Tips??? Lots do triathelons and all kinds of sports and do just fine. Talked to an 8 year old girl at the heart clinic getting checked just like me. She was telling me how she had gotten her first goal at her soccer match the previous weekend and planned on getting many more. I got my pm when I was 36. She had one before she was 8 and was just like any other kid on the block. Here's our sign: We learn to ignore the pm in time and go about our lives. Most people I know don't even know I have one and I am in better shape than most of them. Just finished 180 total miles on my bike yesterday and plan on starting out the new week tomorrow with a 50 miler and looking ahead to doing a century at the Palm Springs event in February.
And, yes. Why not ask the doc to adjust for "exercise" and a higher top end pacing?
Had mine done at Loma Linda Hospital and one at St Joseph's in Burbank back in 2002 with lead removal from the left side and putting two new ones in on the right side of my chest. That was cutting edge...laser cutting that is.
Happy running. Let me know if you find the "wall".

Ridding Yourself of the Fear

by Bionic Man - 2010-01-10 09:01:09

I was going to post a similar question as yours this morning. I am not a runner, I lift weights and enjoy bike riding and other types of activities. I'm 46. I've had a pacer for 18mos. I feel good although it's been a battle. I have very little problems getting through a normal day. My pacer settings seem fine, however I enjoy very rigorous workouts. I'm afraid to push myself now. I tried biking a year ago and thought I was going to die. I have a slightly dilated cardiomyopathy and SSS. Since then I've been put on new medicine and my pacer has been adjusted. I have no idea how it will hold up if I really push myself. How do we rid the fear and get back to our healthy pre-pacer days?
Bob

adjusting

by cfritza - 2010-01-10 09:01:35

That is great that you still run and do marathons, I run but not quite the marathon type although my husband has done several. I had the electrical problem also with my heart (sick sinus syndrome is what they called it) and got my pacemaker in Oct 2009. so I am also still getting adjusted, and like you I have times I feel stonger and more relaxed than others but have noticed exercising almost always makes me feel better. Wenatchee valley is beautiful from what I've heard (my father lives in Washington) and they do say people are least likely to die from a heart attack out there since they have great medical people. Anyways to answer your question about needing the PM adjusted for higher rate, unless you cannot get you heart rate up naturally then you need the upper limit, (mine was for too low while resting not the other) so I only have a lowerer rate set, but your PM nurse, Dr or tech which ever you have should be able to set that right for you, you may need several adjustments till they get it right. God luck

Let's do something about fear

by FirstDuely - 2010-01-26 01:01:00

To BionicMan and anyone else:
Almost 24 years with a pacer now and still have times when I am fearful of what's going on inside. Will the fear ever go away? I can't answer that yet but this I do know: If I sit around and think about it all day then I will have a full day's worth of fear behind me and I will then start feeling bad about wasting my time being fearful.
So to prevent wasting time at 59 I get up and go do something I want to do or get back to doing all those projects that need to be done around the house or go visit family and try to laugh as much as possible.
If things bother you about the pacer, talk to your doctor about it and see what they have to say. Mine is always saying I should slow down and to that I say _______! Ask your doctor about your activities and if he/she says there is no problem then don't hesitate doing them. Ask about pushing yourself to the limits and you get a "Go for it!" then push away.
I'd rather be doing something I love to do when I go anyway. My motto is to go out and find your limits every day unless your doctor advises otherwise. Talk to the doctor then strive to go out and give them new data on yourself.
Now what was your question????
BTW, I used to coach high school basketball and tennis and one year of football (with a pacer) so the above looks like a pep talk to me.
PS: I've gotta get off the computer now and go do something so will check back in a few days.

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.