This friday I go in for a full heart work up including stress test.
Something I, my family and others feel they should have done in the hospital before they put the PM in me?
Background:
3/17/2010 Arizona Heart Institute: Mild Propalpse in the anterior valve leaflet was all that was found with their work up.
4/20/2010: PM put in at another hospital and MD.
Hate to sound mean, but unless they can show a solid reason on why I need a PM, I will seek legal advice.
Today, worked HARD for 5 hours in 107 degree heat!
I work HARD a solid 6 days a week like this week-end I was 30 feet up trimming some trees. Cut the branches and took them to the dump.
I am 60 years young, BP spot on and do not feel the PM has done a thing for me.
Every 2 years a solid heart work up like clock work. Heart cath done in 04 and 07 to make me feel better about my health.
Reading all the posts from people who have a real need, I again question my need.
The pep talk from last month has worn off from my Doc.
Maybe after Friday I will have a different take on the PM and I.
Then have to eat some crow!

 

 

The pacemaker is YOUR decision, not the doctors. They are there to advise you of what they feel are best for your condition.....if you have one.

I've had a number of disagreements with my doctors about medications. They tell me what they feel is best for me and I can either accept or reject their recommendations.

 

My only suggestion is be absolutely sure you understand why they say you needed a pacemaker. As for the valve prolapse Mayo Clinic has this to say: "In most people, mitral valve prolapse isn't life-threatening and doesn't require treatment or changes in lifestyle. Some people with mitral valve prolapse, however, require treatment." I didn't see the kind of treatment some need.

Maybe a second opinion is needed to help convince you that you do not need a pacemaker or that you really do need one. As for the lawyer, you may have a high hill to climb to benefit from one because what was going on 4/20/2010 that got you a pacemaker may not be present now.

Don't blame you for feeling the way you do because I know I would be a little po'd myself if I felt like I didn't need the pacemaker they stuck in me.

 

Hi.

Just curious...when you have your pacemaker checked, do they tell you at what percentage you are or are not using it????

There are some members here that use theirs as little as 10% (atrial lead) and 0% in the ventricle lead and then there are some that pace 100%, so I guess the question I would ask if I were you is....

"doc, would you please show me or tell me what percentage am I using my pacemaker."

I know when I first got mine in 2004 at the age of 42 I was only pacing at 27% in the upper chamber only, now I am pacing at 86%. I've never used the ventricle lead, but it's in there just in case I ever need it in the future.

And yes, there have been some cases that people have had them out because they weren't using them. I'd be po'd too if I ever found out that I didn't need it. Rrrrrrr.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Pookie

 

Hi everyone, my name is Nancy and I am 52 years of age. I got my PM in Feb. of 2009, only 4 days after I burried my oldest daughter. My PM site stayed infected for the first few months, and I too thought I really didnt need the PM. I was wrong, Mine was pacing at 72% a year ago and is now pacing around 80%. I still have problems with the site. It stings, pulls, shoots pains, and it looks as if it is going to come through my skin any day.