Should I get a pacemaker?

Pacemaker?

by Aberdeen - 2022-06-28 15:56:33

Raf, What is your heart rate? When my slow heart rate was diagnosed it was 36-40 bpm and I was at risk of collapse.

To pace or not to pace...

by AgentX86 - 2022-06-28 16:22:02

What does your cardiologist recommend?

Slow heart rate

by Theknotguy - 2022-06-28 17:04:09

Like AgentX86 says, what does your cardiologist say?  

My story was fairly the same.  Getting along fine with a slow heart rate.  Mostly problems with afib.  Cardiologist thought it was a mitral valve problem.  I had told him about a couple of sessions where I passed out.  So cardiologist is looking the wrong direction.

On a remote trail with the two dogs.  Having a great time.  Turn the corner to go on the exit trail and everything goes black.  Kinda like the old black and white movies where everything condenses down to a black circle in the middle of the screen, then goes out.  Only problem was it wasn't a screen, it was  real life.

Woke up six days later in the hospital.  Broken ribs, collapsed lung, chest tube.  Nurse is waking me up. She says, "You're in a hospital."  Ok, had that one figured out.  "You've got a pacemaker."  That explained the sore shoulder.  "It's Wednesday."  Hey!  Wait a minute!  Last I knew it was Friday.   Broken ribs from CPR.  EMT's got excited and collapsed the lung.  Nurses broke the ribs on the other side doing CPR.  I don't recommend it.  It took me two years to get back to "normal". Am still having problems nine years later where they put in the chest tube.  Seems they couldn't get it in right and it took them three tries. Still a lot of bone pain and doctors say they can't do anything for it.  Needless to say, I don't recommend going the way I did.

Problem with the slow heart beat is that it gets slower as you get older.  At some point the heart just stops. Since no one knows when that happens it can happen at a bad time.  I coulda been driving a car on the freeway.  Massive car accident with lots of dead people including myself.  Fortunately I was on the trail with the two dogs but I don't recommend that either.  Don't get me wrong, I love the dogs.  They tried what they could but having paws instead of hands and not being able to talk was a real negative in the situation I was in.  And as it was, going through the two year back-to-normal wasn't fun either.  I had to thank a whole bunch of people for stepping up and doing the right thing at the right time.  Not everyone gets that chance.

About the pacemaker.  First thing I notice is a strong and regular heartbeat.  Hadn't felt that in years.  Next, things are a lot brighter.  In spite of having things busted all to Hades and back I'm feeling better.  When I take a full breath I can really feel the air.  I've got more stamina and can do things I'd given up on.  Overall a much better life.  I'm on my second pacemaker now.  Getting the pacemaker is not that big of a deal.  I could do everything I did before I got the pacemaker, only with the pacemaker I could do it better.  

Oh, and the day before all this happened I had moved 2000 pounds of wood in the wood shop.  Had spent four hours cutting wood.  Had hiked about a mile and a half on the trail with the dogs.  After I woke up one of the nurses asked me to squeeze his hand as hard as I could.  Almost broke his hand.  So it isn't how good you feel, it's when  circumstances dictate your heart is going to stop.  And no one can predict that. 

Otherwise, I hope things go well for you.
 

Thank you

by Swandives - 2022-06-29 20:38:11

A quick note to 'the knot guy' for their story. I am 47 and had a pacemaker implanted last October. Shortness of breath while walking was my main symptom (AV block) and I have wondered whether it was worthwhile, in spite of everything (I'm still experiencing pain from a keloid scar). It's funny how you can know what's best intellectually, and yet a part of you still questions it. Your story helps me understand how lucky I am.

Thinking it through

by Gotrhythm - 2022-06-30 14:59:49

I'd like to focus on some of your objections to the pacemaker.

More doctor visits--for sure. At least one a year to the cardiologist.

Hassels relating to MRI and metal detectors--All pacemakers nowadays are MRI compliant. If you need an MRI you'll be able to get one. Metal detectors--no danger at all! Perfectly safe for pacemakers.

Blood thinners--are given to treat clotting conditions--clots can do bad things to brains and hearts. Blood thinners have nothing to do with pacemakers. Many people with pacemakers don't take any heart medications at all. (I don't.)

Allergies--do you have a lot of allergies now? That would be something to discuss with your doctor, but allergy to the pacemaker or wires is extreeeeeeeeeeeemly, like super, super, super, almost unheard of, rare.

Like you, I was perfectly functional. In fact, much of the time my heart rate was in the low-normal range, only going slow some of the time. My heart did speed up with exercise and although I was a little winded at first, I felt okay after a half a block or so. I really thought I was doing all right. I didn't know how bad I felt, until I got the pacemaker and suddenly, exercise wasn't just doable, it was easy!

Keep asking questions. Get all the information you can about your heart condition. Some people with pacemakers don't have any coronay artery disease at all. Learn the fundamentals of how pacemakers work. What you can expect them to help with, and what they won't help. There's a lot to wrap your head around to make the best decision for yourself.

follow up on June 28 post should I get a pacemaker

by Raf - 2022-07-11 17:51:07

Thanks for your responses to my query on June 28, and sorry I haven't figured out how to reply to you directly, thus this general reply. To Aberdeen, my HR is typically in the low 40s but at times down to ~35 - without any symptoms. To AgentX86 & Theknotguy, my cardiologist tells me its my call, based on my tolerance of the transient shortness of breath. Importantly, he does NOT feel that my bradycardia is or will be dangerous. Gotrhythm, your post was great, and reassuring (though seeing unexpect pacemaker problems on other posts does give me pause). I only wish I could "do a trial run" pacemaker to see if I, too, would kick myself for waiting!! I think I will hold of and reconsider the question on an annual basis, based on how rapidly my symptoms progress. Thanks again!.

Should I get a Pacemaker

by Veritas - 2022-07-13 02:03:19

Hi Raf,

I was a healthy 86 years young when I had my first ablation, which helped greatly. Then a month or so later had my PM fitted in March 22 due to Bracky (24BPM over-night). My experienced Specialist informed me it would improve my quality of life, which surprise my doctor.

I guess there must be thousands of implants fitted without any after bad after effects, but I was  not one of the lucky ones because I started to lose weight which concerned me greatly. The next month or so I suffered severe GURD (Gastric Reflux) symptoms, with severe chest pains plus tacky (which I subsequently learned to control with Diaphram Deep Breathing)

I do have a home monitor, which apparently my case was not deemed a problem. Finally a visit to the specialist and assistant re-calibrated my PM, now all resolved.

Summary,

Would I do it again? not sure, but in the long run "it's your call"

Regards

Veritas.