A club I never thought I'd belong to

Hi, all. Another newbie here. I'm 5 1/2 weeks out from PM implantation. My symptoms came on suddenly about a month and a half earlier: exhaustion upon strenuous exercise, and later, episodes of lightheadedness that began increasing in frequency and severity.

I had consulted my primary care doc, taken a stress test, and had an appointment with a cardiologist pending. My heart, though, had other ideas, and while I was on vacation I fainted dead away. Fortunately, this incident occurred only a half mile from a major teaching hospital. I was diagnosed with Type 2 heart block and outfitted with a pacemaker two days later.

The PM not only saved my life, but also my quality of life. I'm still babying my left arm, but was able to quickly return to all my normal everyday activities and resume recreational running. All my symptoms disappeared; a night and day difference. I've had my upper HR limit adjusted upward once already, and will request a second upward adjustment at my next device check.

The posts on this site have been tremendously informative, supportive and reassuring. Like I said in the subject line, this is one club I never thought I'd belong to, but I'm sure glad I'm here.

7 Comments

Welcome!

by arent80 - 2020-02-26 11:30:41

Hello there!

Welcome to the club! I feel the exact way as you. This is a place that I never thought I would be. Heck I'm the first one in my family with any heart disease. I had my PM put in 12/30/2019 and it's been quite the emotional roller coaster. The surgery itself was nothing. It's what's happened mentally and emotionally that's been the hard part. But as you stated this website is a great resource and all of us here in one way or another are in the same boat. Wishing you a speedy recovery and don't hesitate to contact any of us. We are all here to help!

Alejandro

Welcome aboard

by Good Dog - 2020-02-26 16:37:06

I don't think that anyone in this club wanted to be here, but it is a great resource and a lot of nice people! I am here to tell you that I got my PM at age 38 and have had it now for 33 years. When I first received it I thought my life was over. Little did I know at the time, that it would provide me with a normal life in every possible way. I got in better shape with a PM that I had ever been before getting it. I enjoyed competitive sports in my late 30's and early 40's and my PM never held me back from doing anything I've wanted to do. Some things they advise against; like using my chain saw and working around high voltage equipment. I am one those people that if you tell me I can't do something, I will try to prove you wrong. I didn't say I was smart. 

I am glad to have you newbie's around, because you too can answer questions and help-out to others in the future. 

Sincerely,

David

Welcome to the pacemaker family

by cagedliberty - 2020-02-26 21:30:15

I think this is a club that no one wishes to be in but is grateful to be. I went from having a wonderful life to becoming housebound and unable to do simple things like carrying out the garbage bag.  I am currently 9 weeks post surgery and the pacemaker club has been my regular hunting ground for information and comfort. 
I am glad that the doctors were able to catch your health issue and give you a new lease on life. Welcome to the most wired group around!

Thanks

by Jeff F - 2020-02-27 12:44:19

Thanks so much for your responses and support, folks. Alejandro and Desi, my best wishes for a successful recovery. David, I look for any excuse not to get out my chain saw. Please don't deprive me of the newest one! :-)

Jeff

Jeff

by Good Dog - 2020-02-27 23:04:39

Jeff - I am with you Brother. I do the same with my honey-do list!

David

Welcome to the PM family

by Champak - 2020-03-15 00:51:12


Hello there! Like you and the others before me have said - not a club I thought I'd belong to. I've had my pacemaker since November 2017 and am still coming to grips with it. I honestly don't post much but I do have to say that I get a lot of solace by going through the posts - this club has relieved me of so much anxiety. Thanks to the people who respond to questions/concerns that others have and to the people who share their experiences!

Champak

Solace

by Jeff F - 2020-03-15 08:08:04

Right on, Champak. It's great to know we're not alone.

Jeff

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.