Just a week ago I had a pm implanted

I am 66 - always been in good health but since March I've been having dizziness, shortness of breath, couldn't walk 15 feet without stopping to catch my breath. I've had every test known to mankind, doc was messing with my blood pressure meds - nothing worked.
Last Tuesday I asked my husband to take me to the ER - I was literally afraid I wouldn't live through the night. My pulse was 33 and dropped to 24 as the triage nurse was taking my vitals. Within 5 hours I had a temporary pm and by noon the next day, I had a permanent Medtronic pm and it is amazing. No more shortness of breath, my energy level is back, I have slight pain at the implant site but mostly I feel terrific. Never thought I would ever have a pm but I am sure glad to have this one.

8 Comments

Thanks!

by Lyn66 - 2013-06-19 08:06:36

Nice to be welcomed to the "club"...I've never been involved with an online group like this - but I found this and I have so many questions...figured it's best to hear it from the ones who are actually dealing with the same situation.

Bra straps and seat belts issues

by D from NYC - 2013-06-19 09:06:24

Angrysparrow you mentioned in Lynn66 message about

"Some are little things, like bra issues, or how to wear a seat belt over your device. Emotions about the "Red Badge" of courage that many of us have are also addressed"

This is all new to me, My operation is scheduled for next month. What are some of the issues concerning bras. What about the seat belts issues and the Red Badge of courage - what is that?

Thanks
D from NYC

Agreed...what do you mean by Red Badge of Courage

by Lyn66 - 2013-06-19 11:06:10

I don;t have bra issues because my husband has always wished I would NEVER wear a bra...so for years I have gone "Bra-less" on weekends. Right now I am home from work on FMLA...but I am wearing men's button shirts that are comfortable and don't "show" that I'm not wearing a bra. Since this is something I've done every weekend - I guess it's not a big deal for me...but please explain the "Red Bade of Courage" comments...thanks!

Lyn66

by lubro - 2013-06-20 01:06:18

Congratulations first of all for finding THE CLUB... I have had my PM for about 4 months, and have learned sooo much from the wonderful people here. I try to be positive about life in general, and I'm just happy that I can maintain my present lifestyle. Had a little difficulty at first.. needed to have a corrective procedure from the 1st implant...I won't go into all that, but like SPARROW posted... it is refreshing to see others who appreciate what we have...
Sounds like you had a pretty scary experience...but you now have a chance at getting your "normal" life back... Just take it slowly...give yourself time to heal, then just enjoy what you have.
I'm 68, and quite like yourself, I was as healthy as anyone could be until this past january...BAM...out of the blue...racing pulse that would not correct itself...
rush to the ER...flatlined ( about 9 secs) when they tried to bring my pulse rate down...straight to ICU...
Scary stuff indeed... but, I'm still here with a heartbeat...and smiling :)
Life is what it is... you seem to have a good attitude, which will help you recover so much faster...I feel like we all have to be thankful for what we have...
I too have been very skeptical of online webs sites or clubs... researched a few, but found none quite as impressive as this one...I'm happy that you found this place too...
Welcome...
Lubro

Thanks for the welcome, Lubro

by Lyn66 - 2013-06-20 01:06:35

I definitely am a "glass half full" kind of person - have been blessed all my life with terrific family, wonderful friends, good health and fulfilling work. I consider this pm a blessing - a blessing that 2 weeks ago had never crossed my mind and now I have one that is keeping me alive.

Sounds like you had some scary moments in January - I had a premonition Tuesday afternoon and I didn't feel like I would live through the night and I didn't want my husband to be the only one looking after me and having to make difficult decisions. That is the main reason I asked him to take me to the ER...the nurses and doctors all agreed that I was in the right place at the right time to have them be able to install a temporary pm and then the permanent one the next day. It was amazing when they put the temporary one in and I could immediately feel my heart pumping away at 60 bpm. Very strange sensation...and then it was all so normal!

I almost had to have them go back in 1 day after the permanent implant because the doctor was looking at my chest x-ray just before I was to be discharged and he was concerned that the leads were too short. I was back in the operating room with the team assembled around me - they were prepping me to put in another temporary so they could extend the leads on the permanent pm. I was SO upset...I just wanted to start healing and get out of the hospital...definitely did NOT want to stay there any longer. In walked the doctor and said - "False alarm...the leads are fine!" He didn't realize that they make you hold your arm up over your head for the x-ray and so it was stretching the lead. Needless to say - I was a very happy camper and an hour later I was home!

Red Badge of Courage

by Lyn66 - 2013-06-20 10:06:53

It was one of my favorite high school reads! I certainly remember the book - just didn't know this context. And - I still have the bandages covering the implant site so I have no idea what it is going to look like when those come off next week.

I hadn't thought about the seat belt issue since I am not allowed to drive yet. So I've been the passenger and have not had any issues with the belt over the site. That could get problematic when I start driving again. Lots to think about...but like you said - it keeps me alive.

good to be here!

by Lyn66 - 2013-06-21 10:06:46

I've learned so much already...this is a great site and everyone is so helpful. I really appreciate all the feedback and encouragement.

Welcome Lyn

by Grateful Heart - 2013-06-21 12:06:39

That was a good call.....listening to your body and going to the ER.

So glad you are feeling better and the Doctors got to the bottom of it for you.

You have a great attitude....that is so important for recovery.

There should be plenty of slack in the leads, they usually curl extra so that we don't risk stretching or breaking them.

Glad you found us!

Grateful Heart

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