any young adults with a pacer?

Hi everyone,

My name is Lexi. I'm 22 and just recently had my 3rd pacemaker put in. I had my first one at 10.

I am interested in hearing from some of the young adults who also have pacemakers/ cardiac issues. I feel very alone as far as having heart issues at my age. I don't know anyone else who does.

Every time I go to my cardiologist, I am the youngest person in the office. It is sometimes discouraging.
Please tell me about your experiences!! I would love to hear from anyone my age who has cardiac issues.

I am going in for my second catheter ablation (the first one was unsuccessul) and would feel better knowing someone my age has experienced these things too. Please share your story!
lschultz@live.com

19 Comments

Welcome!

by tcrabtree85 - 2008-05-19 02:05:40

Hi! I am sending this from my phone so if it sends multiple times sorry. I wanted to welcome you. I am also the same age as you are. There are many close to your age. I look forward to hearing more of your story. You can read a lot of mine just by clicking under my name. Welcome and I hope you enjoy this site as much as I have. Blessings! Tammy

Welcome!

by tcrabtree85 - 2008-05-19 02:05:43

Hi! I am sending this from my phone so if it sends multiple times sorry. I wanted to welcome you. I am also the same age as you are. There are many close to your age. I look forward to hearing more of your story. You can read a lot of mine just by clicking under my name. Welcome and I hope you enjoy this site as much as I have. Blessings! Tammy

Round 2

by Broken Hearted Jane - 2008-05-19 07:05:05

I guess your original post got posted twice. I believe I just responded to the second copy. Oops.I asked basically the same question about limitations on your lifestyle and also made a comment about airport security (which is kind of funny, really). I think it'll be easier to respond here instead of copying and pasting my previous comments (you can view them on the second posting of this thread).

As far as physical limitations go, I have had quite a few things to adjust to. I used to be a competitive athlete and have had to slow down a lot. I can get some exercise, but nothing over medium intensity, and sometimes even that makes me nervous. The pacer itself doesn't get in the way of much; I compare it to having earrings on---you don't really feel them there unless something bashes up against them. There are certain positions that make it a little uncomfortable to sleep (I sleep mostly on my sides and stomach and have to reposition myself sometimes), but the feeling of the box itself doesn't affect me in a very large way.
Mostly, I just get anxious about the thought of collapsing in public and possibly hitting my head on the way down. My anxiety was really terrible after an event in December, and since then I've been progressing from having panic attacks every time I left the house to being able to drive and spend time by myself again. I'm still terrified of the subway for some reason (it just seems like a really, really horrible place to lose control), and walking alone in the middle of the city makes me nervous, as well. I am wondering if you get worrisome about passing out or having something horrible happen on a daily basis. I know that this kind of fear is only reasonable up until a certain point, after which it becomes a bigger problem than the heart condition itself, and I'd really like to know how others deal with it.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Jane

Thanks guys

by Lexi3 - 2008-05-19 11:05:08

Thank you for the welcomes!
I have been looking for a support group for young adults with heart problems for quite a long time, so it is nice to finally have found one.

When I was five- I was diagnosed with 1st degree hearblock- within a few years it turned into complete heart block and at 10 I had my first pacemaker. Now I am 22 and just had my 3rd pacer put in.
I also have atrial tachycardia which has not been helped by beta blockers.

Do any of you have any limitations because of the pacemaker? Mine is under my pec muscle. So It seems to take longer to fully recover.

The best thing about having a pacemaker--is no long waits in airport lines:)

for Jane

by windup - 2008-05-19 11:05:22

Jane

Hang in there. It is terrible to have the panic attacks and anxiety.
I also experienced this right after having a pacemaker implanted and a few since then. The more you do something, such as getting on the subway without anything happening, the more confident and trusting you will become. Also, for the first time in my life, I did take some very minimal antianxiety meds - just to get over the hump, which I don't need anymore. I really didn't care about that because I just wanted to get on with things and back to normal - so whatever works.
You are communicating in the right place thru this forum. I felt the everyday people in my life thought I was crazy, so I didn't mention the anxiety much. I looked all normal after the surgery, etc, so what was the big deal? Right?
You will be ok, even though you don't think so - this too shall pass - practice and you will overcome this.
Also, can you try being with someone on the subway for awhile? You will finally get to the point that you will believe you won't lose it, and everything will be all right. Good luck and take care.
Georgia

hello

by LouLou21 - 2008-05-19 11:05:23

Hi lexi, welcome to the site, its really great on here and you get to know lots of people of all ages. I am 30 and i got fitted with a pacemaker 5 weeks ago and i class myself as quite a young person(even though you may think that im old) to have one even though i know that there are younger people out there that have them.
I fainted at home one saturday night and my boyfriend found me unconscious and not in too good a state, he called an ambulance, and whilst in hospital they found that i have an av block my heart beat drops so low and sometimes skips a couple of beats which then caused me to faint. Up until then i had no problems with my heart or fainting. So mine was quite a shock. So like you i do find that when i go for checks i am by far the youngest in the waiting room and was also the younngest(by far) on the cardiac ward.
Im sorry i cant help you on the catheter ablation im a bit naive when it comes to anything else and can honestly say im not sure what one is. Hope that this site can help you as much as it did me. Take care. louise.x

all in the same boat

by Lexi3 - 2008-05-20 10:05:37

It is interesting to hear everyone's story. I am coming to realize that no matter what age we are, we are all sharing the same feelings, and fears with our hearts.
I guess at any age we all feel too young to have these problems.
It is hard feeling like the youngest person in the cardiology office. But with my most recent pacemaker implant, I had it done at a children's hospital and I was awakened like never before. While I was getting my I.V administered, I saw liitle kids getting prepped for surgery. Some crying, some smiling not understanding what was really going on. It just blew my mind to see these little children bein tough and going through these surgeries. I knew at that moment I needed to stop feeling bad for myself and start being thankful that I am okay. It was quite an awakening.

I was there

by Serenitymickey - 2008-05-20 12:05:14

My heart problems started at age 5 I had to lay in bed for 2 years..hated that as a child. I just got my duel implant 1 1/2 years ago and I was 50. I started at age 39 having to see my cardiac doctor full time...my doctor said I was his youngest patience. I hated the waiting room...cause it was so depressing..I just didn't fit in. My doctor sent me to cardiac rehap and I lasted only 2 visits..I felt so alone plus I was angry, my whole life was always a problem..can't do this or that cause of my heart.I left crying both times cause no one was in there under 60. I talked to my doctor..he said you have a heart of an 80 year old yet to look at you..you look young and healthy....I am sure those people would love to trade places with you...and it is probably depressing for them. Ya know I ended up going back which was the best thing for me and I made friends of all ages..the best of all I found this wed site....full of kindness and understanding and love. Plus you will never be alone anymore....you will be okay..things will get better...take care

Cliche: You're not alone!

by Maxine_81 - 2008-06-16 11:06:39

Hi Lexi

It is true, you're not alone. I had my first pacemaker put in when I was 5, I'm now 26 and sometimes I forget I have it. Although when I go blue after any strenuous exercise it is a reminder! Hehe! I'm working as a play assistant at a children's club and my hobby is amatuer dramatics - both things that are very energetic! I think everyone else worries more about me straining myself than I do. I won't go into my diagnosis cos it's long and boring but suffice to say I have had many problems along the way including 'life threatening' endocarditis, but I'm not one to let any little life threatening virus knock me down. It used to be annoying being the youngest person in the waiting room for my check up but recently for it (strangely) funny that I'm one of the youngest but with the biggest file of notes!
Anyway good luck with you're next surgery i'm sure you'll be fine and let us know how you get on. : )

Maxine

22 yr old with IST - don't want a pacer!

by wendyjo405 - 2008-06-27 06:06:49

Hi everyone!

I'm glad to have found a group like this. Lexi, you are SO not alone! I'm a 22 yr old college student and have been diagnosed with IST. Medication hasn't been working well and side effects make them not worth the little bit of help. My electro. says my only other option is a pacer, but I don't want one. I haven't had any ablations or any type of surgery on my heart yet and am trying my best to make it without.

The worst thing about it all that I have found is the severe fatigue that I suffer from. It makes work, going to class, and concentrating so hard! I've found it difficult also to get my professors to understand my situation. They wait for my nose to grow after I tell them why I miss class or turn an assignment in late. I can just hear them thinking, "22 yrs old with heart troubles, yeah right!"

Also, I completely feel for ya with the whole doctor's visit thing. I feel a bit out of place when everyone in the waiting room has grey hair. It always makes me feel selfish because I think those people probably need the help more than I do. Jokingly, I always tell myself that I'm sure it's a nice change for the doctors and nurses to see a chest without wrinkles. Haha. Not all that funny, but it helps me lighten the mood of a pretty serious situation. =)

Brand New

by tinkerbell13 - 2008-07-30 01:07:30

Hi,

I just had my pacemaker implanted two weeks ago and I'm 30 years old. I went in for a tilt-table test to see why I had been passing out and check my blood pressure. 6 minutes into the test I passed out and my heart stopped for 16 seconds. The cardiologist came in and explained that the best option I had was a pacemaker. He explained that because I had been experiencing these passing out episodes for 4 years now and that perhaps the first time I blacked out my heart could have stopped for 1 second. But the next time I pass out my heart could stop for 30 seconds or a minute, so he said it was important that I get a pacemaker implanted that day. And I did.

Of course I scared everyone, no one was expecting me to go into the test and come out with the explanation that I need a pacemaker. The nurse that did the test and all the nurses that help with the surgery all said I was too young to have a pacemaker. All I could think was, "Well, if it can help prevent my heart from stopping I don't mind having the pacemaker implanted....or even having to go in to have it replaced about every 7 years, as long as I can live life to the fullest." Try not to think about how young you are when you find out you need a pacemaker, just think of the possibilities. You can live your life according to how you want to, not dictated by something you can't control (as in my case a heart that kept stopping). Think hope, think I can.

nicole

21 and pacing

by amyboldt - 2008-08-01 06:08:13

Hi Lexi! My name is Amy and I've only had a pacer since I was 20 so it's all still somewhat new to me. However I completely understand what you were saying when you go into the doctors office and are the youngest one. I have discovered the older folks become to curious and just make you feel sorry for yourself.

My pacer wasn't necessary from the get go. I had severe tachycardia and something else with a super long name I can't even remember. . .helpful i know. . . anywho they did a catheter ablation and "burned" a bit to much. The next month consisted of a lot of me blacking out. I would actually lay in bed feeling my pulse, then feeling it stop, then blacking out and waking up to my mom screaming at me. I spent over a week in the hospital in Milwaukee, WI and they actually kept those shocker things in my room for when it'd happen. Finally (why it took so long I have no idea) the doctor decided he'd better put a pacer in instead of messing with meds.

Anywho, that's my story in a nutshell, give or take to many experiements with medications (one which actually made my hair fall out-that was fun!) Don't feel alone, we aren't that usual but we're out there.

Good luck to you!
Amy

Young pacer here

by vbilbrey - 2008-10-28 11:10:13

Hi, Lexi. I know exactly how you feel going into the waiting room and have people "stare" at you because you're too young for a pm as they say. I'm 30 and am on my fourth pm. I've had mine since I was a day old. So my whole life has been full of going to the cardio. My dad used to take me out for milkshakes after each appointment when I was little.

Anyway I hope you feel comfortable on this site. I always wanted to find other people with PM's when I was growing up b/c I felt like I was the only one and I wanted to talk to someone who would understand so I understand where you're coming from. So this is a good site to meet a people who do understand.

Well before I start rambling I better go. Take care.
G

Hey Lexi!

by katie_perkins - 2009-12-31 11:12:38

Hey Lexi,
My name is Katie and I got a pacemaker at age 15, so not too much older than you were. I'm 19 now and have only had one so far, but am due to get my batteries changed this coming Summer '10.

I've never met or heard of a case like mine til I joined this website.. I feel it's a great way to get support and hear encouraging stories about heart issues.

I wish you the best of luck and know that you aren't alone :)

You are more than welcome to e-mail me any time if you need someone to talk to!

Plz help me

by Kitakent - 2011-08-22 01:08:52

Hello am new here i just look this up on my phone. My name is nikkita lemon i was born with a real bad heart at 6 months old i had my first open heart surgery and my first pacemaker put in . I have always know that i was all by myself untill now I am 24 yrs old now and will have my 3rd pacemaker put in soon and every time i always fell so alone and scared i know this posting is late but if someone could let me know am not alone i would really love that thank you .....kita

Hi.

by moses - 2011-11-14 04:11:02

Hello everyone. I'm glad to see a bunch of other people in the same boat as me. I had my pacer put in at about 6 or 7 years old and am on my third one at age 26. Anyone wanna talk you can write me! I'd love to hear your stories!

17 and pacing

by ALEX - 2013-03-19 08:03:19

Hi there... i got my first pacemaker at age 17. Before that i got an ablation because of Wolf Parkinson White syndrome or tachycardia. After the ablation, doctor said to me that i must use a pacemaker because the ablation is not succesfull. Im so sad about that because my age is so young to got pacemaker. Other than that i can't involve in any extreme sport, but now my age is already 21 and sometime i forgot that i have a pacemaker. Now i can accept who am i.

22

by markgschaefer@yahoo.com - 2013-06-17 04:06:00

I was 22 when I got my pacemaker I have about 1 year left I got it in 2004 I will be 31 in the next couple of months I am always the youngest in the office when I go I live in Kansas city Missouri but was in Joplin Missouri when I got it put in

Young and pacing

by GQ - 2014-07-29 04:07:50

Hello Lexi:

I felt the same when I got my pacemaker. My life changed completely. It takes a little bit of time to get use to it, but I finally get over it and you will too. My PM is very noticeable and I have to be carefull with the activities and sports I do. But i did not stop. I'm back to the gym, I do my diet, I enjoy the beach and the pool but I stay away for high risk activities. I'm glad that I found this club, I post questions and find people that help me a lot....Welcome to the PM family, we are in the same page or I should say pace... :)

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