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by piglet22 - 2024-07-22 05:46:07

Hello

That's quite a way to be catapulted into the world of living with a support device like a pacemaker.

Your symptoms are an exact fit for why thousands and thousands of people have to have a device fitted to carry on with a normal life.

There’s a lot to take in physically and psychologically, but nothing to fear.

By far the majority of patients lead active lives, sometimes doing more than they did before.

It will take time to get used to it, but see it as a step forward. Another consideration is that the hearts electrical system is well understood and very treatable with electronics and some clever software.

Good luck

Welcome

by Gemita - 2024-07-22 05:46:41

Hello Fay, welcome to the pacemaker world.  I hope like me you will be pleasantly surprised what awaits once you are healed from your implant and your heart responds to being paced.  

My journey started with multiple syncopal events too while travelling on our busy London underground.  It was caused by Atrial Fibrillation (AF) , an irregular heart beat that can cause both a rapid and a slow ventricular response rate.  Both extremes can cause problems.  I felt like I was having mini strokes at the time.  My face flushed and I thought my head would explode from the irregular blood flow and sudden blood pressure spikes/falls which can occur with AF.  It is certainly not hard to see why AF can be so dangerous and why blood can so easily pool in the upper chambers of the heart and form a blood clot when we experience such irregularity of rhythm and blood flow during periods of AF.

But enough of the nasty stuff.  Although my AF still intermittently continues and a pacemaker cannot stop an arrhythmia like AF, a pacemaker can make a patient’s quality of life so much better.  I rarely suffer from sudden dizzy spells or syncope due to AF anymore and with a steady pacemaker, higher lower rate setting, my AF seems to be under better control.  My cardiologist said I had bradycardia induced AF and other arrhythmias.  With treatment for the bradycardia (which the pacemaker does very well) I have noticed improvements.  When AF does occur, episodes cause fewer symptoms.  For me the pacemaker has enabled me to reduce or to come off some of my medication, to feel better with fewer symptoms and to live a normal life again.  I hope it will be the same for you too.

Welcome

by Selwyn - 2024-07-22 13:18:14

Hi Fay,

Welcome to the club you never really wanted to join. Having a pacemaker will ensure your quality of life is from now on better than it has been.  Here I am 15 years' down the line'  having been swimming today ( 1 mile).   The story of my heart stopping was after episodes of atrial fibrillation - luckily for me all whilst I was asleep.  

I confess to riding my bicycle after one week of getting the pacemaker ( as I couldn't swim until the wound was well healed), as I was not allowed to drive.  It is important to keep fit.  Don't restrict your arm movements too much as you don't want a frozen shoulder. 

Once you have your first check up, you can be fine-tuned for whatever activities you have in mind. 

Having a pacemaker does not alter life expectency. 

The vast majority of people with pacemakers live normal lives with very few restrictions. I have yet to know whether anyone is bungee jumping, however, for most of us this is not a problem! I dare say living in New Zealand, the home of bungee jumping, this could be difficult!!! 

I hope Christchurch is pulling itself together. Last time I was there it resembled a car park in the centre of town some time after that terrible earthquake. Here in Liverpool, we still have a bombed out church as a memorial to the WW2. Perhaps they will keep something like that in Christchurch so other generations may remember the loss?

With best wishes for a perfect healing.

Hi 👋🏼

by Lavender - 2024-07-22 15:40:45

Welcome aboard the ship of hope! You will be just fine! I am three years into mine!

Welcome

by athena123 - 2024-07-22 16:42:23

Im going on 5 years, you will be fine.

Welcome to the club

by Suzzy123 - 2024-07-23 00:13:21

I as wel ended uo having a sincope at work, and as a result I ended uo with a pacemaker. The thought of getting one at first was a bit scarey, and not knowing what to expect did not help either. Over time, you learn to adjust, know your limtations and you will move on in life. I have had my pacemaker for 24 years, and due to have it totally replaced this month.