Recent pacemaker implant

Yeah, they’re pretty visible

by heckboy - 2020-01-21 21:11:03

Hey there,

I was 42 when I got my first and for the longest time, whenever I bent over, it felt like my chest was going to fall out. Learning to sleep on my back was tough too, but I found a position with my head "just so" that helped.

One thing you can is learn as much about the settings for your PM as possible and don't be afraid ask for changes in your settings. Over time, once get dialed in, you'll mostly forget that you have a PM. It probably took me a few months, however. 

Fyi, I've had four pacers over the years and two lead extractions.

Welcome!

by Pacemaker_Sally - 2020-01-21 22:40:35

Hello and welcome to the club. 
I got my pacemaker 3 months ago at age 56 and other than the scar, it's not super bulky. But then I'm not exactly skinny and I think it depends on how lean you are. 
how long have you had your PM?

It just depends

by Theknotguy - 2020-01-22 11:32:51

We have babies who need pacemakers and people up to age 90 and beyond who get pacemakers.  It's mostly when you need one and we have the technology to do it.  I sit next to a 93 year old in church who just got his replaced.  He asked the doctor when it will need to be replaced and the doctor told him ten years.   "See you in ten years!", he said.  Doctor said, "No you won't!" "Why not?" "I'm retiring in five.", was the doctor's response.  

I can easily find mine through the skin and you can see it sometimes when I've dropped weight or am a little dehydrated.  No big deal as my other option is being dead and I like that a lot less.  

I think it was nine months post implant before I finally got out of the car and walked across the parking lot without thinking about my pacemaker.  I'll sometimes go days without thinking about it at all but then I'm on this forum a lot and I volunteer at a hospital.  So I'm more or less constantly reminded I have a pacemaker.  

Friends and relatives who have pacemakers and don't like to be reminded they have one steer clear of things like this forum, doctors, and medical situations that will remind them they have a pacemaker.  So they will go months without thinking about their pacemaker and only go in for check-ups when reminded.  

Mostly it's attitude.  If you think your pacemaker is a burden, it is.  If you see it as a helpful tool, it is.  All in how you feel and think about it.  Most people go on to  lead a "normal" life post pacemaker.  At the hospital where I volunteer I regularly meet up with a young security guard with a pacemaker.  He carries on with normal duties.  Did damage a lead and had to have it replaced after he had worked up to bench pressing 250 pounds.  The extreme weight along with the number of repetitions damaged a lead.  Otherwise he does normal duties.  You'll also find people with pacemakers doing all sorts of "normal" life style things and don't see their pacemaker as a hindrance.  

After six year I had a change in life style and ended up with increased exercise.  My pacemaker wouldn't keep up with the new changes and I had to go in and have it tuned so it would keep up with the new exercise.  As my EP was explaining to me, most people with pacemakers don't walk three to six miles a day, then  move about 2000 pounds of wood on Thursdays.  With a couple of taps of the stylus, my pacemaker can now keep up with me and I feel great.  

I hope your adjustment goes well and things get back to normal for you quickly.  
 

Thankyou

by Jasminxox - 2020-01-22 13:32:45

Hi guys 👋🏼

Thanks for all the info, it helps a lot to hear from people who have one, no one in my family or friends have any experience with heart conditions or pacemakers so I struggle to find people to chat too if I’m curious about anything:) I had mine fitted 3 months ago now so I suppose it’s still relatively new, I don’t think my body scars very well as all my open heart scars and the PM one are sort of “bulgey” they sort of stick out and are quite hard but hopefully that’ll go over time. 

Welcome

by Pacer2019 - 2020-01-24 00:34:05

You have landed in a good place to get feedback .... I was implanted OCT 23 at age 56.  I had bypass surgery when I was 44. 
regarding seeing the device ...are you a thin guy ? If you have been through surgery maybe your weight is down ?

when I first got mine I thought abiut it 24/7 .... still felt lightheaded - now I've settled in - I never feel lightheaded and have learned not to assume every thing I feel is heart related ! 
I hardly ever think about my pacemaker ....mostly because I have no symptoms but also because I just decided not to.

when I landed on this page I was a mess .... trying to figure out this device and my situation.... I was bugging the heck out of my doctor - went to cardio guy and had every test I could think of done on my heart - that gave me a lot of confidence knowing arteries were good to go etc...

keep bouncing around the site and learning ...before you know it you will be an expert 

God Bless !

T

nineteen

by dwelch - 2020-01-31 00:26:18

I was also 19 when i got my first one.  I am on my fifth now, 32 years with pacemakers.  

19 or 90 it takes some time to get to where you can sleep comfortably again.  to get used to your new heart with new rates and such.

I was skinny then and the devices then were much bigger than today it really stuck out, could see it with a shirt on, etc.  Nature doesnt like corners my doctor would say, and your body will do what it can to kinda smooth it out. but it is what it is its better to have a bump and a scar that to not and wish you did.

Good luck, others have not yet answered but we are not the only teen, pre-teen first timers here.  there were some other teens here last year with their first devices, some of us like me had these most of our lives.  If I had been born today they wouldnt have waited until 19 I probably would have had mine earlier.

The majority of folks get them later in life, and their experience is helpful for all of us as well as hopefully will have replacements at that age and deal with them.  But you/me some of the others will always be the youngest patient in the ep/cardilogists office, and if you stick with the same doc/town, you will retire this doc (they will retire from practice before you dont need them anymore) and have to find another.  And maybe retire that one too...Or like me you will move before that happens.  

Unlike a few teens that were here recently you are probably out of grade school and into college or grown up life and dont have the childish teasing that at least one member of the club was suffering through.  So thats one less thing to deal with hopefully...

But young enough that you likely will need to deal with telling a serious boy/girlfriend that you have this thing and it doesnt make you bad or fragile but instead stronger/better.  It aint no thing.

Good luck, dont be a stranger...