pacemaker for 31 years

I just wanted to post here and see if anyone had question about having a pacemaker I might could help...Im a 31 year old mother of 2 and have had a pacer since i was 1day old...
I done not know life without it... but I do know how to live with it...I had 9 pacer replacements...(some due to broken wires..oops)
I started old school style with a soap dish on my side.... then when I was in hight school i was able to get the smaller on my shoulder. I can not go without it. Im 100% dependent on it...my heart rate w/out it is 30...so i have to have it.... but I have played basketball, volleyball, ran track, gave birth to two very healthy kids and fixing to under go a nip and a tuck. anyway I just want to say Hi and if anyone had any ??? I would be then happy to talk to you about it...I have meet with lots of people that are fist timers and not sure what they can do and cant do.

thanks
Kim

7 Comments

Glad ot have found you too

by kimm102576 - 2008-04-01 10:04:19

Well it is a life style...and do have to know your body and when to stop...but I love my little guy...we have had a long road together...some scary...but mostly good times...he acts up every now and again...but all in all life is good...keep you head up..

thanks
Kim

Pacemaker For 31 Years

by BOB 1 - 2008-04-01 10:04:53

Hi Kim,

Welcome, if this is you first post. Good to hear from the voice of experience. I'm sure you can calm a lot of frayed nerves.

Too many people are sure getting a pacemaker is truly life altering and I guess it is if it gives you life rather than death. For me, after I got over the first few problems, it has been a nonevent. My feeling is I got a little piece titanium tucked my collar bone that I don't bother and it doesn't bother me. Does it help me, I don't know. They tell me it does, but I never notice.

Please hang around, I know you will be bombarded with questions.

Bob 1

Thanks Kimm

by Swedeheart - 2008-04-01 11:04:26

Thank you for the inspiration! As a "newbie" to the pacemaker world, and one who was totally surprised this was to happen... I have found it most difficult to accept. With the help of experience from folks here it has made it much easier. I am sure you can answer many questions most of us who are in the novice category cannot answer!

Thanks for the offer to everyone, and glad to have you aboard!

Swedeheart

I have some questions for you.

by clichtenberg - 2008-04-01 11:04:33

I hope you don't mind but I was wondering if you could tell me at what ages your pacemaker was replaced.

My son had his put in at 10weeks. He has 2nd degree heartblock and is paced 20% of the time. So, not often. But will need to have the pm replaced because of his growth.

I guess I just wanted to get an idea of how often th pm needs to be replaced because of growth and at what age can it get placed in the sholder. I know it goes by size, but and idea would be nice to know.

And do you know, someone said that they can extend the wires? I was in the understanding that they needed to be replaced, assuming then that they couldn't extend them because they told me they would replace them because of growth.

Thanks!

Cindy

Hi and Welcome

by Jules - 2008-04-02 02:04:29

Have messaged you direct just to ask a few questions. Hope you don't mind.

Jules

Hello Kim

by denise.theobald - 2008-04-06 06:04:17



Just read your message....I am a long time pace like you.
I have been paced since I was 8. I am now 51. I am fully
dependant on my pacer too.

Like you I have had a pretty normal life and had 4 healthy kids. Unfortunatly, my granddaughter has just been diagnosed with heart block which is unusual as my cardio told me it was not hereditary??? She is coping fine at the moment so I am hoping all will OK!!

Great to hear your story!!!

Hi Kim and Denise!

by lidawe1 - 2009-12-25 02:12:54

Merry Christmas Ladies, I hope this finds you and your families doing well! I thought I'd add to the experienced side. I've had pacers since I was 5, I'm now 50 and am currenty using pacer number 14. This also includes having had a nuclear for 28 years. I too am 100% dependent on the pacer. I had open heart in 1964 which resulted in complete heart block, hence the need for the pacer. Denise I was sorry to hear about your granddaughter, heartblock is usually the result of something, perhaps whatever that is what may be hereditary... at least you can help calm some fears and be the example that, yes, it is possible to lead a "normal" life. (Although, I know you'd rather she not go through anything like we have...) With technology today, hopefully she may not have to.

Take care ~ and may 2010 be a good year for us all!
Lisa (lidawe)

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

Member Quotes

My cardiologist is brilliant and after lots of trial and error got me running. I finished this years London Marathon in 3hrs 38 minutes.