MOM OF SON WITH PACEMAKER

MY SON HAS HAD HIS PACEMAKER SINCE THE AGE OF 5. HE HAS TOTAL HEART BLOCK. WE WERE NEVER GIVEN AN ANSWER AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. THERE IS NO FAMILY HISTORY. MY SON MICHAEL HAS HAD A TOUGH TIME THROUGH THE YEARS. HIS FIRST PM WAS IMPLANTED A WEEK AFTER HIS FIFTH BIRTHDAY, A FEW WEEKS LATER MY HUSBAND AND I FOUND OURSELVES DRIVING HIM BACK TO THE HOSPITAL ONLY TO HAVE HIM SLIP INTO A COMA ON OUR WAY THERE. HE WOUND UP WITH A STAPH AURES INFECTION. HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS AND WOUND UP HOME JUST IN TIME TO GO TO KINDERGARTEN WITH AN IV IN HIS ARM. THROUGH THE YEARS HE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH OCD, PANIC ATTACKS AND ANXIETY DISORDER. HE'S BEEN IN THERAPY SINCE THE AGE OF 6 WITH MANY THERAPISTS. HE HAS JUST TURNED 21 ON APRIL 4 AND HAS HAD A NEW PACEMAKER IMPLANTED ON JUNE 26,2007. HE HAS COME FULL CIRCLE, HES DOING MUCH BETTER BUT STILL HAS OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME. MEDICATION AND THERAPISTS HAVE NOT HELPED. MY QUESTION IS, THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE SEARCHED FOR A SUPPORT GROUP FOR HIM, WITH NO LUCK. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANYONE WHO HAS HAD SIMILAR SITUATION AND POSSIBLY LIVES CLOSE TO US I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. THANKS

3 Comments

Not Sure...

by leila - 2007-07-16 02:07:24

Well, I don't know exactly where you live... but I would love to talk if you'd like! I am twenty years old, and have been fighting with heart problems since I was a child as well. I have had a pacemaker, and that same one replanted. If you or your son would like to talk, just let me know!

Mom

by tachybrady - 2007-07-16 03:07:49

There are times that I feel unexplained, but immense anxiety. Sometimes I attribute this to the varying changes I feel physically. I know that it is common to blame the mind/emotion for anxiety, but what if we feel anxious due to our heart/pacemaker? Or a combination of both physical and emotional? I believe that there can be a different awareness. After I felt my heart muscle specifically, It seems as if I have felt every misbeat or electronic impulse since. I am speaking only from my own experience. But, if it is physical anxiety (not a medical term that I am aware of) than he can identify the source. I wish you and your son the best.

don,t give up

by aa11177 - 2007-07-17 02:07:37

Hi Lumpy how are you I am eightteen years old I have had my pacemaker gor almost 6 years I got mine on December 19th,2001 I was 12 years old everything is going good I still go to Childrean,s hospital in Boston,Massachuetts do not give up on your son keep in touch.

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