100% DEPENDENT ON PM

I HAD MY FIRST PACEMAKER INPLANTED IN JAN 2001,AND HAVE HAD BATTERYS CHANGED ONCE
IN 2005. I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT I AM 100% DEPE-
NDENT ON MY PACEMAKER,AND THAT WITHOUT
IT I WOULD DIE. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THERE
ARE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT ARE 100% DEPEN-
DENT ON THERE PACEMAKER. I ALSO HAVE THE
DEFIBULATER WHICH KICKS IN ONCE IN AWHILE.

6 Comments

100%

by richan - 2008-05-25 07:05:54

Hi Ferdie,
Mine was placed in March 2005 - a 2 lead Guidant. It is just a PM (no defib). My top half is 100% dependent and my bottom half is currently 60% dependent. I don't really like being that dependent on any piece of technology. However, it certainly does beat the alternative!
Every day is a great day,
Richan

ferdie

by jessie - 2008-05-25 09:05:59

i don't know how dependant i am but i suspect very. like richan says the alternative is not an option for me. i don't think about it much. so you also need to talk with people with defibs. very helpful to exchange info. good for you for posting! jess

100% too

by WJBond - 2008-05-25 10:05:30

I too am 100% paced. I got mine in 2006 at age 27 with 3rd heart block. I have a duel lead with the av lead turned off since it will not capture since I am in av standstill. The lower lead is pumping 100% of the time.
I have good days and some bad I think about how lucky I am too still be here. I offten think what could have happend and try not to let it bother me. I live my life as normal as possible and contine to work as a Firefighter with little problems.


Me too since 2000

by janetinak - 2008-05-26 01:05:32

I am 100% dependent after an Ablation. Saw my cardiologist last wk for a regular check-up (cholesterol issues) & did an EKG stated that pacer working so well almost couldn't tell I was in Afib. No defib but we are a sub-group of the larger group I think. We is special-haha!!

Janet

100% dependent, what does that mean?

by Cycledoc - 2008-05-26 03:05:03

When someone is 100% dependent it usually means, with heart block, that the implanted pacemaker is overriding the heart's own paceer because the heart is going too slow. If the implanted pacemaker stops the heart reverts to it's inherent rhythm usually about 30-40 beats per minute. This is enough to survive, albeit with the risk of fainting and possible some shortness of breath.

Me too 100/100

by gmnordy - 2008-05-26 05:05:43

I am totally dependent, 100 atrial and 100 ventrical. This came on within a years time.I was only 60 atrial and 0 ventrical a year ago.

You know you're wired when...

You have a $50,000 chest.

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