depression

I have just gotten a pacemaker implanted, only a week ago. It is really kind of scary and upsetting. But the pain is slowly going away and I do feel so much better than I have in a long time, that it is strange that I feel so depressed. Any suggestions would be appreciated
thank you







8 Comments

Cheer up

by rae rae - 2007-08-26 08:08:10

Any opperation big & small carries emotional wait. Its hard because you have something in your body that you cant control. I get depressed before i have mine replaced. I have had two replacement & have many more to go. your body will heal & it will get to the place when you hardly notice that you have a pacer. In the meantime I normally buy myself something that makes me feel better. I dont buy sweets or food, i buy shoes or clothes, Lipstick, jewllery. Something that lasts but that when i put it on im ready for my day. I always feel immediately better. Hope this was some help.

hang in there

by searchingwoman - 2007-08-26 10:08:46

I am ready to welcome my third pacemaker in a few months. I am anxious about the replacement but I know it is a fact of life for me.
I was 36 when I had my first pacemaker. I felt like you.
Please be assured that it does get better. I can give you a hint that helped me...think of your pacemaker as a guardian angel. If you think that way you will know that you are indeed lucky to have the pacemaker.
Take care,
Searching Woman

Know the feeling .....

by Neat - 2007-08-27 02:08:33

Hi Pat,

I felt totally depressed after my pm was put in and felt like the 'only one' who had felt like this, it was hard to explain too because if I mentioned how I felt the response would be "but your so lucky" and so on, this type of reply only made me feel worse! I didn't feel lucky, I felt a failure, a wreck, an OAP (no offense to anyone) at 40, unlucky, etc. etc.

One year on I feel completely happy (I admit I did get help from my doctor "happy pills" which I'm not condoning but they helped me a treat). Now, I hardly notice the pm, whole days go by and I haven't given it a thought, like "Searching Woman" said, if you can think of the pm in a positive light (like an angel) you can become friends with it. It just takes time.

This site is great and you'll find lots of people here who are always willing to give good advice. Believe me, you will feel 'normal' again and happy .......... wishing you the very best always, Anita.

You're Not Alone

by hooimom - 2007-08-27 04:08:02

Pat,

Many of us felt depressed after getting a PM. It is a huge adjustment for you to make. Not only have you faced a major health problem, now you have an "extra body part" . It does get easier. Your pain is getting better and soon you'll find yourself thinking less and less about your PM. Are you sleeping okay? That was one of my biggest difficulties at first. Rest when you can, take care of yourself, talk with your family and friends about how you are feeling and always feel free to ask any question or just vent here.

Michelle

Love my PM

by auntiesamm - 2007-08-27 06:08:43

Hello Pat and Welcome to this Elite Club of very special people! You will find yourself surrounded by the best friends you will NEVER meet but who care about you unconditionally. The club is not just about cardiac devices. We are one big family who have embraced a holistic approach and support one another through thick and thin! In the last year plus that I have been signed on I have seen some changes that are wonderful. Blake who developed this site is our hero for bringing us all together as one.

My PM in May 2006 was done on an emergency basis and I had no forewarning. After the PM was implanted for 3rd degree heart block I realized I had been having signs and symptoms for a few months but had not recognized them! I went from ER to ICU, then 36 hrs later had a PM! Almost immediately after surgery I felt better than I had in a long time. The symptoms of fatigue, SOB, etc. I had attributed to selling a house, retiring, relocating back to CA from WA, however, it was due to the HB. The first thing my husband & daughter noticed was the pink color to my face.

I went home the day after PM, went to the grocery store the next day - hubby drove -, social gathering the following day, then drove myself to church Sunday. My life has not slowed down one bit because of the PM. I am so very grateful to the good Lord for my little piece of technology and for the developments that have improved pacemakers so much over the years! We are all different in how we respond to these things but I believe much of our success is due to positive thoughts. You will definitely be added to my prayer list; I cover all the PM Club on Fridays every week and in between when necessary. God bless you.

Don't worry!

by lucybell - 2007-08-27 07:08:44

Hi! I am 27 and I got my PM 2.5 weeks ago. It really will get much better. I know that the first week I was completely out of it. The days that I was stuck at home all alone on "house arrest" I was terribly lonely and incredibly bored. But once I was able to drive after about a week I really felt a lot better. I think probably its a combination of all the medication and just feeling overwhelmed. I know that I really started feeling much better after a week and a half and now at 2.5 weeks I feel great. It has improved me life so much already and I am excited to see what is in store. You really will start to feel more normal- I encourage you to get moving! If you were active before- go back to the gym when you are ready. I went after a week and rode the bike and walked. It really helped and you will feel better. Even if you were not active I encourage you to walk around the block- get some V-C in you! You will need help with shirts for a long time and invest in strapless bras- they help a lot and I am still wearing them b/c the regular ones are uncomfortable. Just get back to normal activities you are used to and you will forget you have it. I do feel like I am a really old with this sometimes but alas it could be much better. Certainly made me appreciate life and all the little things. Good luck and God Bless:)

physiological causes

by PreciousDays - 2007-08-27 08:08:45

I am a therapist by profession - and reader of this board by virtue of impending life events..... Perhaps it will be helpful for you to know that when changes occur in the heart - whether it is a heart attack or manual stimulation of the heart - such as the insertion of pacemaker leads, a heart cath, etc. it alters the seratonin level in the brain. I cannot tell you why this happens - I can only assure you that it does. That could be contributing to your depression - especially when combined with the other issues every one else has already addressed. If it persists - you might want to talk to your doctor about considering an anti-depressant for awhile. Just a thought. Take good care, and God bless.




orecious days

by jessie - 2007-08-30 04:08:56

hi thanky you for the info. can you also verify that antidepressants are not addictive? i knew a priest once who had depression after his bipass surgery. he was on a retreat i was on and he was very depressed for a long time after. this was some time ago and he was in his 40's maybe. thank you god bless you too jessie

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