I had so many questions in mind so I decided to join this club and read on the PM testimonies of others who had one.

I am 30 yrs old, female, married with 1 daughter. I was once very active and athletic until last Aug. 11, 2010 my doctor advised me to have a pacemaker implantation due to bradycardia HR. I still have plasters on my wound until now. My wound is still in its healing process and have been visiting my doctor every day for dressing.

After my operation until now I felt restless at night before going to sleep and often feel sudden strong pump on my chest. As I read the testimonies of PM members it helps me understand that somehow it’s normal, even my doctor told me so. But the other night before I went to sleep I felt something heavy on my chest and started crying with no reason until 4am dawn. I just wanted to know what really causes it and how to control it in case it will happen again. Does it have something to do with my pacemaker? I am hoping to find answers on this. Please help.

 

 

Hello Ethel,

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

I have to guess it is not your pacemaker unless it needs major settings adjustments.

While pacemaker surgery is called simple surgery it effects different people differently. If you are having to go in for dressing changes or checks your surgery every day your's must have ben a little more involved than most and that could account for some of your problems Also if you are on any new heart medications those things can be real downers for some for unknown reasons.

It has been only three weeks so don't panic yet, things do get better and for some people it takes five or six weeks. Pacemakers do their work silently and without you feeling it, so once things settle down the only time you should ever know you have a pacemaker is when you happen to put your hand on the implant site.

Best of luck to you,

Smitty

 

You are certainly not alone. Many many members go through this after pacemaker or ICD surgery. I know I did!!!!

I also learned that depression can wreak havoc on your body from little mystery pains to full blown panic attacks. Both affect your sleep as well. Just look up depression on the Mayo Clinic's website (for example) and it will go through numerous things that can happen to your body if one is truly depressed. I ignored mine for as long as I could then I finally got the courage to go speak with a professional. They wanted me to go on Celexa, and I did, but I felt worse, so they gave me Ativan (which I think is called Xanax if you happen to live in the United States). Ativan certainly helped, but it can become very addicting. I take the occasional Clonazepam now.

And like Smitty mentioned - some medications are famous for making some people feel depressed. Just listen to all the TV drug commercials!!!!!!!!!

I too cried a lot when I first had my pacemaker. I was scared, I felt alone, and there were days I would have jumped off the bridge if I only had the courage, but with time and support things certainly improved. The key for me was coming here every day as the members here lifted me up and were SO compassionate, they helped me through some really dark and difficult times.

Give yourself some time to heal from surgery, but if your depression and anxiety continues...perhaps it is time to speak to your doctor about it.

You are not alone and please feel free to ask as many questions here as you want. We are all here to support you in any way we can.

Pookie

 

It can be a bit of a jolt for someone your age and in good shape to suddenly need a pacer. Keep in mind that what you have is an electrical problem and can happen to anyone. Unlike the blocked artery type thing it is unlikely to get worse with time and once healed you will be pretty much back to normal. In fact you may be surprised how much better you feel.

The feelings in your chest are likely to be just part of the healing process. Especially with young women they usually implant the pacer under breast tissue for cosmetic reasons and this can impact sensitive tissue. Laying down and especially turning over can put pressure on the surgery site and cause strange feelings.

And finally, accept crying as a very constructive way to relieve emotional tension. It sure beats taking meds (even for an 80yr old male like me).

best wishes,

frank

 

Hi Ethel
Welcome and be sure you are not alone and it will get better. I have had my PM since March 2010, for Bardycardia and I went through much of what you are experiencing. I had a panic attack a week after implant and cried uncontrollably off and on for a few hours. I didn't know what was happening to me. The Doctors told me I would not know when the PM was working but to this day I swear I can feel it work for about 30 seconds once or twice a day. I am pacing at about 1%. I don't like this feeling but am getting use to it. Just kind of takes my breath away a little. Anyway, mostly I am feeling great and so will you. Patience is the key. Make sure you check with your Doctor or PM clinic with any concerns you have and don't think they aren't worth asking. Also, this is a great group to belong to. There are so many experienced, helpful and thoughtful members here. Hugs and kind thoughts to you.
Howard

 

Welcome Ethel!
I think the emotional part after we get the PM is the roughest part. They tell us , "It's a simple procedure", but we still have to heal emotionally too.
Especially when it all happens quite suddenly & we're like, "Huh?? I'm healthy! How did this happen? What's next??"
All I can tell you is it DOES get better.
I can only speak for myself, but when I have any "weird" feelings any where in my chest now I tend to get a bit freaked. LOL I'm getting better though. LOL
Sleep?? Oh my, for me it was fleeting for about 4 months. Now it's better.
Good luck to you.
Liz

 

Hello Ethel,
I'm 44 and a married male with a daughter. I have an ICD which is both a PM and a defibrilator. I considered myself very active and in good shape. I was having bradycardia, and during all my testing they found some instances of tachycardia and the tachycardia was why the Doc wanted to do the ICD. I've had my device since July 27, 2010. I, too was depressed and asked why me, etc. But I've found as others have that when it comes to electrical conduction problems age makes no difference. I feel great! Leading up to the surgery, I would be out of breath just walking upstairs at home. Your wound will heal, and you will feel better. PM surgery affects all people differently. The best advice I can give is to get out of the house as much as possible. But just take it easy. I'm now jogging with my daughter. Visit this site often, people here have helped me very much, even before my surgery. My best to you and your family. Take Care!

Jeff

 

Hi Ethel,

I am 31 years old, and had my PM fitted in March for second degree heart block. I felt just like you. For weeks, I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks, and couldn't stop thinking about the PM. The emotional healing was so much harder than the physical healing, and it just overwhelmed me at times. What you are going through is completely normal.

But it will pass. You will get better in your own time, and every day you will see a little progress, until you hardly ever think about the PM anymore. Try and remember that you are now better and fitter than you have ever been: the PM has fixed a problem, it isn't a problem itself.

Trust me, I know. I am now 14 weeks pregnant. Now that is something to be anxious about!!!!! You've been through a lot, but you will be just fine, and we are all here for you when you need us. Any questions, or anything you just need to get off your chest, there is someone to help you through.

Take care,
Genie xxx

 

We have all been there and you are not alone!

Sending a big hug to you!!