Dealing with the pacemaker!

Hi,
I am 21 and just got a pacemaker put in a week ago today. I faced 2 ablations before they determined that I had no choice but to get a pacemaker my 30% chance turned into a 99% dependent on it 7 hours into surgery when my heart started dropping. I am curious to know if it really changed your life dramatically getting a pacemaker. I feel very lucky and blessed to be alive and I would love to hear any advice any of you have. Thanks so much.

3 Comments

welcome

by pace1 - 2007-03-23 11:03:04

Welcome! I'm 31 and just had my PM put in a month ago today. I'm pretty much 99.9% dependent as I had complete heart block. I didn't even know I had this until the beginning of December, so it was a big shock. I didn't have normal symptoms, like passing out, dizzy, fatigue, so I feel the same. Did you have symptoms? A week (and a day) after I was back to teaching Spinning (indoor cycling) classes, it's pretty amazing. I have to say I was a little disappointed that I didn't feel better or I was able to run faster, etc., but those are selfish reasons...the main reason I did it is peace of mind that I'm not going to pass out while I'm driving or die of sudden cardiac death. This site is WONDERFUL, I don't think I could have gotten through everything without the support from the people here! Take care!

Thanks!

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-03-23 11:03:10

Thank you! I have been dealing with tachycardia since I was 18. I had chest pain as a child and wasn't allowed to go to a dr as a kid due to my parents religion beliefs. When I turned 18 I spent a week in a half in the hospital and they tried to tell me I had MVP (mitral valve prolapse). I spent the following year or so going in and out of the hospital and changing of medications like crazy. I moved back to my home town area. After seeing five different heart dr's I found a guy that listened to me and told me I needed surgery a long time ago. I went in for my first surgery in Jan. and he burned a third of my SA Node and also a circuit. Not so bad but I came out still passing out and feeling weak. I work in a nursing home and take care of people and was afraid to go to work and lift a resident and hurt them. Three weeks after my first surgery I went back in and they said I needed the surgery all over again. I felt this time I was going to have to get a pacemaker. My resting rate was about 150 after the first surgery which was better than before. My second surgery was last week he burned 52 spots and thought things were good. He went to talk to my family and I started dropping fast they didn't have to paddle me but the compressions were painful and i'm just now getting back into eating food without it hurting. The following day I got the pacemaker inserted. I am grateful for this site. I made choices on my own and don't have much family support. I took my first walk without getting tired it was short just around the block but what a beautiful thing to be able to just walk and not pass out. Thanks so much! Blessings!

Tammy C.

welcome

by JohnS - 2007-03-24 12:03:36

Welcome to the site. I have had atrial fib for about 8 years, had a pacemaker implanted last nov, a node ablation done in Jan of 2007. I am now 100% dependent. Its the best thing I have ever done. I feel better than I have in years. Big thing is to keep a good attitude.
Good luck.
Johns

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