New pacemaker 3 days ago

I have suffered from afib and flutter for 20 years .After Four ablations and every medicine known to man I decided with my wife and EP that my quality of life had continued to get worse and I needed to try something else . He suggested a pacemaker and at 49 we decided that was our best option to having a normal life or at least and improved quality of life . I am now in my 3rd day and don't know what to expect . I'm sore and I have felt my heart go out of rhythm but then it feels like I go right back to sinus . I should also note that I have been taken off of all meds in hopes that it should also make me feel better . I'm sure that there are numerous other people that have been down this round and any guidance on what to expect would be appreciated .

4 Comments

PM for AFIB

by Bill T - 2013-10-07 11:10:00

I am 26 years older than you but have a similar AFIB history. Mine was getting worse and worse and my Cardiologist and I decided that there wasn't any other meds that could contorl it. 2 years ago I has an AV Nobe ablation and upgraded to a CRT-D. I I'm still on the strongest beta blockers but unless the Afib that I still have lasts for several hours (or days) I don't normally notice it. My quality of life has been 95% better and I'm tickled that I had the procedures.

Bill T in NW Arkansas

PM for Afib

by Roys - 2013-10-07 11:10:21

Hi Bill
It's to early to tell yet, all your PM functions will not be switched on yet. I had a PVI ablation which reduced my AF, and I would not have any more ablations, so my EP gave me a PM. It took 1 month to switch on my RR and then two more months to switch on my Overdrive Pacing to control my AF.
And that did not completely stop my AF. But then I tried mineral supplements, and now I am free of Afib.
Cheers Roy

For Roy

by Lizzie - 2013-10-08 02:10:41

Hi Roy,
Can you tell me what mineral supplements you used.I'm taking magnesium. Still having AF episodes. No other heart meds unless I go into AF then Flecainide "pill in pocket method". Have a PM but was told it wouldn't stop AF. Maybe things have changed since 2009
cheers Lizzie

Mineral supplements for AF

by Roys - 2013-10-08 05:10:13

An imbalance or deficiency of magnesium, potassium and calcium can force the heart into arrhythmias. Look up website a-fib.com by Steve Ryan. All the info is there. If you want anymore on what I take e-mail me.
Cheers Roy

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

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This is my second Christmas with my pacemaker and I am so happy to be with my family.