New PM Patient

Hello All. I just had my PM implanted January 16th. Healing of the incision is almost complete...I only have 2 stitches that don't want to give it up. This morning I am going to our local hospital for an echo. Next Thursday is my follow up with my Cardiologist (to echo and surgery).

I still think the weirdest thing is saying "my cardiologist"!

This all came out of the blue for me. My last Dr. pooh-poohed my complaints of fainting and told me on my last visit to her..."some people are just fainters"!! My new family Dr. was the one who eventually diagnosed me with 3rd degree heart block. Yay for my new family Dr.!!! I am feeling like I have way more energy now.

7 Comments

hello!

by Hot Heart - 2009-02-19 02:02:11

I'm still fairly new, 3rd degree heartblock as well, however I had absolutely no warning, was doing gym, dance, long walks, 2 jobs, and i was, or i thought i was, fine.

Got my pm 14 weeks ago, hb picked up during a liposuction session.

I dont feel any better at all because i didnt feel ill in the first place, but, its done now.

The only signs i might have had when i look back were cold feet all the time, purplish lips in winter, and i did used to feel dizzy years and years ago, was told it was low blood pressure.

Who knows i might have been in heart block forever! Having rarely visited doctors who knows how long my pulse had been 30 something!

But its the future that we all have to look forward to now and i might have the odd swoon as my cardiologist is absolutely gorgeous! lol

Good luck.

Fellow Canadian

by Pookie - 2009-02-19 04:02:18

Hi.

Welcome to this wonderful site. You're gonna love all the support and information.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better! It does take some time; some longer than others. It took me a good 3 or 4 months before I felt okay.

I'm from Nova Scotia....we certainly are on opposite ends of Canada, eh?

Keep us posted on how you're doing.

Pookie

Welcome

by amshirley - 2009-02-19 09:02:00

Welcome!
Had a pacemaker from 1980 and several since. Welcome to the wonderful world of pacers. Sorry about the silly mis-diagnosis you big "fainter you"!
This site has been quite useful and friendly. Only joined about a week now. Wish I had it or I was aware of it for the past 28plus years.
Keep well.

grrrr

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-19 10:02:05

Some people are NOT just fainters!!! Sheesh, there's always a reason even if they can't diagnose what it is. That's a dangerous opinion for a dr to have. Good thing you got a new doctor! You should find that you have a lot more energy and stamina now that your heart is beating more efficiently. We don't realize how hard it is on our bodies until it's fixed.

I am about your age and was born with CHB, got my first pm 15 yrs ago. There are a lot of us here with the same thing. If you have questions about your condition or living with your new titanium buddy, please don't be shy.

oh my

by jessie - 2009-02-19 11:02:03

no we are not just fainters. scary. i have heard some really inappropriate comments in my life from drs. but this takes the cake. remember oh no of course you don't either do i but around the turn of the century they gave people smelling salts for fainting. they may have been in 3rd degree heart block. how utterly sad!!!!took my dr. 4 months to figure me out and he didn't anothewr dr. did. take care maureen

Welcome from me too!

by abreaux - 2009-02-20 01:02:48

And I'll add one more sheesh for the doctor's fainting comment. Others who have been here for a few months have heard me say this to a few people. I got a PM 4 weeks ago out of the blue, after I passed out twice. 2nd degree heart block. Sure, maybe I could have lived with passing out, but I think not. One of those times I was driving. I crashed and my car burned up. I would have burned up too, except the guy driving behind me got me out before it was consumed. So much for living with fainting.

I'm so glad you were diagnosed and got your PM. I hope everything will go smoothly and you'll keep ticking along for many many years!

A-M

I am writing my ex Dr.

by muirghe - 2009-02-20 11:02:05

I have written a few letters. One for my ex-Dr. and one for her boss who runs their practice pointing out what has happened since I left their care. I am also going to lodge a complaint with the college of physicians and surgeons.

I wish I knew about the 'rate an MD' website before I went to them in the first place. Since my diagnosis, I checked out the site and she has quite a poor rating. I think she see too many people each day.

I won't take my actions any further than that. Move on, move forward and live my days to the fullest. I am out moving around so much that my housework is slipping!!

Thanks all for the warm welcome.

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