will it ever go???

hi its me again!!!!
i had my pacer since march 13th i had it because my heart rate drops to the 30,s and poss lower?? before i had it i was unwell all day everyday with dizzyness headaches just general nt well. and im still feeling the same. after reading messages on this site went to the cardiac dept and ask them to check the pacer to make sure it was working ok which it is. so i then ask if any changes can made with the settings and he really didnt want to change anything..so i came home feeling sad and feed up and wondered if it takes time to get better or if i should be feeling better now??? wondering if i ever needed the pacer atall?? as it has made no difference to how i feel heath wize and made me feel completly hopeless>>> and if it isnt my heart which i suspect as ive always had low heart rate and blood pressure without complications before what the hell is wrong with me??? i feel as my life is over..........

3 Comments

Sorry Chelle...

by Swedeheart - 2008-04-16 04:04:40

Chelle297,

You are just at 4 weeks since implant. It was at week 5 I started to finally feel better. I am now at week 7 and can now get though a sort of normal "quiet" day. Still not enough energy to begin to think about tackling spring house cleaning, but I can go to the market, fix meals, do some laundry and a few light chores without being totally wiped out. Inbetween everything I am at the computer doing "quiet" activities like reading the forum...

I suggest you get "ammunition" for your next checkup. What I do maybe only on the surface, but it helps me feel I am being proactive and gives me something concrete to give my doctors. I may have mentioned to you before. I keep a daily log with about 6 entries each day of my blood pressure/pulse, meds and when I take them, along with activity level and how I am feeling. (dizzy, pretty good, pacer pocket hurting, etc.) that way I can actually *see* whether or not I am making progress. It has helped my emotional state a bit. It works for me, give it a try and see after a couple weeks if you can't deal with the detail, then try other things that might work for you.

Next time you are at the doctor's tell them how terrible their lack of help made you feel! ... or phone them and talk to the doctor's nurse. I have found the nurses are generally more compassionate and can help you... when I have questions I call my EP's nurse, she usually returns my calls within the day and is very knowledgeable. Be straightforward and honest, not whiny and you are likely to get reasonable answers, if not find another doctor. I know my general practioner isn't as knowledgeable about the electrical portion of my heart as my EP... so cut the chase and go to the source of most knowledge.

Good luck. They can make you feel better. If you are depressed (and this is quite normal...) and feeling awful, don't let them send you home without hope. If it is hard for you, take a partner along or someone who can help advocate for you at the doctor's office.

Let us know how you are doing... we care and hope you will improve soon. Been there...

Swedeheart

It takes time!h

by jenh - 2008-04-17 02:04:10

Hi Chelle,

I had my 4th pacemaker implanted about a year ago (I'm 35), and I think that every time it happens, I forget what a challenge it can be. I think, for me, what I've realized is that it really takes about 3 months for me to really feel fully recovered and like myself again after surgery.

After my most recent surgery I also definitely suffered from depression for at least a month or two. I talked to a therapist who said depression following surgery is extremely common, which actually made me feel better about the whole thing. At least my experience was not strange or abnormal. I think Swedeheart's advice about keeping track of how you are doing and keeping in close communication with you medical providers is also very important. I needed to get my settings adjusted a couple of times before things really settled and felt right. Speak up for yourself if you really feel that something is wrong.

And, hang in there. Our bodies are amazing, but healing takes time.

Best wishes.

Jen

still not feeling good

by Moe - 2008-05-02 08:05:35

Hi Chelle
Thank you for the info I know what you are going through my husband is going through the same thing we just want answers and no one can give us that he doesn't want to live like this he is not himself
Please write back God bless
Maureen
maureenahend@yahoo.com

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I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.