How bad is it?

Hi, I just turnd 24 years old and found out that I’m going to have to get a pacemaker. I’m just wondering what to expected for recovery time. I’m been vary healthy and in great shape my whole life, I’m a Commercial Fisherman from Alaska. I have a United States Coast Guard Master 100 Gross Tone Captain License, that is going to be suspended tell I can pass the USCG psychical examination. The psychical includes me being able to run one, six minute mile, lift 75lb’s, crawl in a out of tight places, climb ladders and be able to stand on uneven moving suffuses. Even if I am able to pass the psychical after getting a PM the USCG might not reinstat my license because of the problems people have with PM's. Do people really have lots of problems with PM's? I have read about them, but how often do people have them? I was born with a hart defect and had a Mustered procedure done at 3 months old, that left scarring on my hart and will make the getting the pacemaker more risky as well as difficult. The thing is as of now I still have my USCG License and have never had any issues or problems in my life. But do to my hart defect I’m at a vary vary small risk of having a fatal incident. It is 100% my choose to get a PM or not. What I was really wondering is if I would be able to bounce back and return to work after getting a PM. If any one has any info or maybe had to deal with something like this in the past please let my know. Thank you for you time.
Captain Johnny Fairbanks

9 Comments

Thanks

by johnnyfairbanks - 2008-10-17 02:10:48

The reason I need to get a PM is that my hart rate will drop down in to the mid 20's at night. When this happens, I will have small episodes that I don't notes or feel, where 7 to 10 beats will happen really fast and erratically then go right back to where it was before. Also the fact that my hart rate can drop to as low as 40, 45 in the day when I'm just siting around can present a problem. I never had any black outs or light handedness which the doctor say is usually with a low pulse rate. They want me to get a PM to stabilize my hart rate.

I have seen about 8 different Cardiologist from all over the country about this, because a vary large majority people who had a Mustered procedure where not able to live a vary psychical life and a large number end up getting PM's around 15 to 20 years old. They say on a hole most get better, but there usually having black outs and episodes before the PM. In my case I have none, which really concerns the doctors.

Thanks for your time, I'm just trying to find as much info as I can so that I can make the right decision for myself.

don't forget ...

by winesap - 2008-10-17 03:10:06

As you review posts on this site you will also note a few things like: The emotional recovery can be harder than the physical recovery. Most of us need several PM tuneups over the first few months to feel optimum. It is critical to find a cardiologist or EP that you can communicate with and who is willing to work with you. Sounds to me like the PM will only make you feel better and that your physical recovery should be relatively quick. The problem that resulted in my PM was long pauses - I feel much better after the PM when compared to before.

why do you need it?

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-17 06:10:46

Most heal completely in 6-8 weeks. You'll need to keep your arm below your shoulder and not lift for 4-6 weeks because of the risk of knocking the leads out. The reason you need the pm has a lot to do with how quickly you can get active again. I have a congenital complete block and got my first pm when I was 27. I started walking the day I got home from the hospital and worked up from there. By the time I had full motion of my arm again and all the soreness was gone from the surgery, I was doing full workouts.

Most people do not have problems with their pacemakers. It may feel like problems are awful after reading the messages here but that's only because people usually have a problem that prompts them to come here. Most pm recipients get them and don't have any problems. Most that do have problems are corrected very simply by adjusting the programming. Pm's are extremely stable and dependable, so as long as your heart is stable and your condition is something that a pm can fix, they should be able to program it so you feel good again. Sometimes the pm will keep you alive but not make you feel better. It all depends on what's wrong with your heart.

Don't forget after the implant

by lryegbert - 2008-10-17 07:10:33

NO SEX EVER well thats what my wife said the dr said and she would never tell me a lie. Good luck this is the best place for info someone has had or is having the same problem

talk to your doc..

by turboz24 - 2008-10-17 09:10:08

I would also talk to your doctor about placement of the PM. It sounds like your profession is pretty physical and I would suggest that you ask about sub-pectoral placement and get as much information as possible. I know in my case (I have an ICD, not a PM, though), I would not get involved in any job that was really physical, because I have a large, painful target under the skin of my chest.

beats

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-17 10:10:12

A few comments...
if you are getting as low as the 20's, I'm surprised it's up to you if you get it because that's low enough to put you in cardiac arrest. You don't want to be one of those young healthy guys who shocks all your friends when you go to bed one night and never wake up again. You're not having symptoms now, but you don't want your first one to be your last one.

If your hr is dropping into the 40's during the day, a pm will make sure it stays higher and therefore give you more energy and stamina.

A pm can't do anything about the rapid rates. It won't slow your heart down, only even out an irregular pulse or speed up a slow one.

I still don't understand what makes you higher risk getting the pm. What is a Mustered procedure?

Hi from Anchorage

by janetinak - 2008-10-18 01:10:14

Want to discuss this further I am in Anchorage. Can send me a personal message here if you want to.

Janet

welcome

by mandogrl - 2008-10-18 12:10:24

I too have a very physical job. Up and down ladders and stairs, pulling, lifting, etc. The 1st 6 weeks was torture for me, feeling achey and stiff, but once I could start using my arm over my head again, the kinks worked out quickly. Actually, until 3 months post-PM, I had my doubts. (some people on this site were feeling totally normal right away, and I thought what's wrong with me?) Be kind to yourself during the recovery period, we all adjust differently.
With heart rates like yours, it seems like it will really help.
Good luck!

USCG license

by wab21 - 2009-06-29 02:06:12

Doing my research as well on this. Found the NMC medical review board "top 5 reasons for issuance delays" on their site and printed it. It contained a list of cardiac conditions that had corresponding tests and wait periods to be met for approval Send me a personal message and I'll find the web site.
I am delaying an ICD b/c I feel it is certain suspension of my license and I am only 44 days from a C/E unltd HP S/M/GT. Have too much invested in this career (since'93), love going to sea and frankly feel too healthy for this. PM's have conditions to be met, but look far more promising than defibrillators. ICD's are "generally not waiverable... contact NMC for guidance" suppose that is where they will kindly ask for my license. Good luck and I'm of the opinion think 2x b4 contacting them... I most certainly am!!

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.