My son is 17 yrs old and just had his first tilt-table test. The doctor (sports medicine) called me today and told me that he flatlined for over 15 seconds during the test. When I went in to see him after the test, he had a very hard time trying to recover. It took upwards of 45 minutes. We now have an appointment with another cardiologist for next Friday. The SM doctor told me up front that a PM may have to be installed. I don't know much about it, but I really am kind of freaked out about a very active, very fit 17 yr old boy having such a procedure. Unfortunately I've roamed the internet all day and have found several different articles that I've read. One thing that really has made me think is that when he was 7, he started pass...

 

Hi, Folks. Not sure how to start. New member today, male age 64 next month. First experienced rapid heartbeat age 11. Diagnosed by military cardiologist age 19 with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, a condition not readily mentioned in my current research. Was advised would "probably need to take something for it by age 35". Around this age was put on minor tranquilizer. At age 47 suffered heat exhaustion and condition was exascerbated. Had EKGs, stress test, holter monitor. Only finding was extra heartbeat. Primary's nurse said :they never find anything with the holter monitor. Been on anti-depressant and anti-anxiety meds since. Was put on beta blocker last year and HR was in 40s, so was discontinued. Follow-up w/primary small town rural DO...

 

Hi there,

I am a new member and waiting to have my PM in August, There has been long delays getting to a cardiologist and I am now on the semi urgent list. I would love to hear from others about how they coped with the surgery and how long it took them to recover. I am rather anxious about surgery also another stress is that I have to travel to christchurch which is still getting daily aftershocks from the big quakes it had earlier in the year. There is so much damage in the city with thousands of buildings having to be demolished. I am 64 and also have a moderate mitral valve prolapse and reguritation which they are happy to leave at the moment. Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards Jane32

 

Just got my pm a couple of months ago. After two weeks I started feeling much better. Had a hell of a year after they told my I had heart failure. A year with severe depression and anxity. things are better but have been looking for a supportgroup so found this and it great to be able to feel I am not the only one in this wordl with a pacemaker.

 

I saw a cardiologist today as a follow-up visit after the standard test given for a slow heart rate. He told me I was borderline for a recommendation for a PM and pretty much left it up to me to decide if I wanted it or not at this time. I am a 59 year old male and I have lost 240 lbs in 22 months and wonder if my slow rate may be due my heart just not having to work so hard. Any ideas about what my next step should be?

 

Hello everyone,
Just want to share how I'm feeling and if I'm not the only one..I had my pm implanted last January of this year. Right now I still feel out of breath even just doing a little physical activity like a short walk to the park. Last Nov. 2010 before I had the implant I used to jog for an hour, then in December I felt like I was out of breath and had dizzy spells. Then after all the tests, the doctor found out that my pulse rate was very slow, because my heart's electrical nodes weren't functioning anymore, that a pm needs to be implanted. I was hoping that I should be feeling better by now, but I'm not..still out of breath and getting tired very easily. I'm 55 years old, male..Every time I mention this to my doctor..she ke...

 

Hi There,
Just wondering if there are any members from Switzerland or Germany in here? I myself live in Switzerland and I have yet to meet (or even talk to) someone with a PM in person. I would love to meet someone face to face to talk about it.

Unfortunately, there seem to be no support groups for pacemaker recipients in my region, which is odd, because some of the best pacemaker doctors and facilities in the World are 15 miles away.

 

I just got my pacemaker last week. Still getting use to having one. Do support groups (in person ) help?

 

Hi! My name is Laura. I'm 23 years-old. I'm on my second device. I received my first pacemaker at the age of 11 and my second when I was 15. I've recently learned that I will need to have it replaced again. I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Support, I suppose? Or maybe just people to talk to who know what I'm going through! Thanks and I hope everyone has a nice day!

 

I'm sure thinking about how your appointment went with the new super surgeon? Was he cute? Did he find that parathyroid tumor? I sure hope you are doing ok.
pg

 

Wanda here in Las Vegas, NV. I have come to realize that there is only 1 support group here in Las Vegas, NV for parents with children that have heart problems. However they only seem to meet 1x a month and really I do not see how that is enough for a lot of parents here in Nevada as not everyone will be able to make a group session on just 1 night per month.

I am interested in starting a support group that meets maybe 2-3 times a month if not more. If anyone else in Las Vegas, NV is interested please let me know, maybe we can get together and get something set up. I am planning on speaking to my daughters Cardiology office and see if they have any ideas.

Thank you

 

I am so thankful to find this site! It is really wonderful to find a place to share the fears and concerns and joys that come with going through a heart health issue and ending up with a pacemaker.

I had a fainting spell two years ago, and then again in early May which landed me in the ER and this time the spells were witnessed by doctors. They diagnosed it right away as Bradycardia caused by Sick Sinus Syndrome and the answer was a pacemaker. I was in shock and not entirely sure I wanted to agree to have it done, but my cardio electrophysiologist said that I couldn't drive anymore if I didn't have it. So - I really had no choice.

It's been about three weeks and I am feeling a lot better than I was during the first tw...

 

Hi - I’m new here. I’ve had my pacemaker since August 17, 2007 - I just received an upgrade on August 17, 2010. I’m 34 years old. I can’t tell you how alone I felt when all of this happened- no prior heart issues, totally out of the blue. I passed out and had complete heart block and I woke up in the ICU with a temporary pacemaker through my jugular vein. Of course my family was terrified - at the time I had a 3 year old daughter and my husband and I had just conceived our now 3 year old little girl (talk about miracles - we conceived her and within 12 hours, I was fighting for my life in the hospital!)

Thank goodness for modern technology! I began to have heart failure after a couple years, so th...

 

Hello, We live in Las Vegas, NV and are trying to find any local support groups here in Vegas as we could really use some face to face support with other families that are dealing with having a child that has a pacemaker. If anyone knows of anyother places other than the childrens heart association that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Hopper.Clan

 

I am a 67 year old male who after a couple of fainting episodes have had a dual chamber St Judes Medical pacemaker fitted on 6th April 2011. Since having this fitted I have suffered from at first infrequent but latterly more frequent either panic attacks or anxiety attacks. They can last up to a couple of hours. I just wondered whether any other members suffered in a similar way. I also seem to have a permanant knot in my stomach..!!
Any members comments would be most welcome.
David Stross

 

Hello Everyone!
I'm here because I need help. My heart & soul, the person I love most in the world has had his pacer since he was 17 due to a Marfan syndrome diagnosis. He's now 28 & has days when he gets really down on himself..."why me" or "it's not fair, no one my age should have to deal with this". We make sure he has as normal a life as possible; he plays basketball, softball, we're members at a local gym & we're often there exercising. I myself am a juvenile diabetic so I know what it's like to be a lil different from most other people my age. But when he gets into his funk, it seems there's nothing I can say or do to bring him out of it. Sure, I've tried the "if you didn't have your pacer you wouldn't be here" routine but it ...

 

Does any body have transposition .My husband has had a PM for 12 yrs.Recently he had ICD implanted about six weeks ago.

 

Hi,

My name is Tiffany, and I wanted to suggest a website called youngpacedhearts.com. There is no ads, donations, or anything for sale here on the site. I created this out of my own pocket to offer support for those who have a cardiac device at a young age.

My inspiration was because I was 24 when I needed a pacemaker, and I understand the difficulties that may arise in life just from having to limit your activity because of a heart problem. I had a very hard time finding a supportive group in the same situation, so I have created this in case others may be looking for support as well.

Although its called youngpacedhearts, everyone is welcomed. It's for those with heart problems, defect, disease, and thei...

 

Help, my husband is afraid to do anything for fear that he may get shocked or that the device will go off during. What do I do? I have tried to reassure him, but it is not working. Surgery has been over for about 2 months now and there has been no fun. HELP HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

 

All day today I have been feeling strange, things going on in my chest: fluttery feelings. This is the first time this has happened since my lead was repositioned 3 weeks ago.I s this feeling normal, is it just the pacer working or is it the defibrilator? 

I am scared that the lead is not working again.  I am also getting a niggling pain in my chest.  Am I my own worst enemy, and could it be stressing myself out that is causing the chest pain. I have an appointment at the device clinic on 12 April.