I had my pacemaker in 5 weeks ago because of 2nd degree heart block type 2 with periods of 3rd degree. It all happened so quickly and unexpectedly. I had been feeling a bit strange but had not thought about it being my heart. Everything has gone well physically but emotionally its been hard to accept and I've had some teary days. Reading this site has really been a help as I get really worried about things like leads dislocating and getting very tired in hot weather. It is good to read the posts when I'm worried. I wish I knew why it happened all the doctors say is old age, I'm 57 and have never had a serious illness, Thank you all for being out there and Blake for starting it. I'm a nurse so I've had lots of support from workmates and I c...

 

Well an update here for ya'll...I went to the Doc today, just to be on the safe side, and they had the EKG..and monitors...did an Xray..all is very well. They saw the pacer marks..very very often!!! Which means my pacer is of corse working for me (when i had the PM implanted and the EP did my first check it was working @ 48% of the time) and this proved it. I kept dropping to 56-59 and the PM jumped right on in and paced me back to 60. My BP was a perfect 98/58 I was very proud to see this. I feel much better now, and I really think it is what I have reading..."i just need tweaks" So glad I went!!!!!! I go tomorrow for my wound check and make all my follow up apt. With the EP & Cardio. I cant wait. :)

Havea great night...

 

Well I havent posted anything for a while. been kinda busy with a newborn. I actually went into heart failure. They said it wasnt due to the pregancy. Meds didnt help get my ef back up so they had to replace my two lead pacer with a three lead pacer. I dont really know much about it or the differance. All the things that have been going on are kinda hard to keep up with. But i still dont feel any better!! I have had the change now for a lil over a month and i feel the same. I also keep noticing things really strong flutter feeling close to the outside of my chest. Anyone know what this is? Hope to hear from you soon!!

 

Hi all. My name is Jessi. I am twenty and was born with 4 congenital heart defects. I just recently had my second open heart surgery *6th heart surgery all together* and during it I got a pacemaker implant. I was told its really rare to have open heart surgery and a pacemaker implantation at the same time. But thats just me. I've always been really rare. This is my first pacemaker. I'm really the only person I know with a pacemaker, except one lady who I cant always talk to. I'm finding out more and more that its almost the same as a holter monitor but on the inside not on the outside with all the annoying filters. So I am excited to know that I most likely will have a Holter ever again. I'm trying to learn how to live with my pacemaker bu...

 

So yesterday I got this "weird" shock like feeling go from chest down to my feet, like i got stuck in an electrical outlet!!! It lasted just a few seconds but what in the world was it?? Anyone?? And then I got very upset with my kids, and well got pain in my chest that lasted most of the night...I checked my pulse it was 102!!! ( I have suffered from Bradycardia for so many years, & when I normally get upset my HR plumets instead of rises..because the ventrical veins constrict)..(weird enuff i know) So this whole HR of 102 thrw me for a loop, it actually hurt! My chest feels a little better today, but it was scarey, can I throw myself into a heart attack like this? Grrr.
Also, I am sooo weepy!! For 2 days now off and on all ...

 

Had my PM surgery on Friday morning, I am only 34. All i keep hearing is, your so young, or too young!! UGHHH its making me crazy. I had my first episode of the post-op blues; I am very itchy all over, why I have no idea, and sore. (no pain meds just Ibprophen) the hubby keeps gettin onto me about not doing stuff, and the kids...well they are not much help. Soooo yeah I have the blues. I have quite smoking obviously, since the emergency trip to the hospital and surgery...and all this is just very very hard....will it get harder??? When will it get better??

 

Hi, I wanted to share with you that I am feeling a little better today about my incision. It has not changed any, but I am trying to look at the brighter side of things. I have a fantastic husband and he is very understanding. I can see how much he loves me, but I can also see that the entire pacemaker ordeal has changed us. He is so thankful that I am alive and in other areas doing well.

This winter has been very hard on me I have been sick since January and I have been hospitalized 3 different times for different things. I think seeing the latest scar was the straw that broke the camels back, as they say.

Thank you all for your hugs, your encouraging words, your wonderful wisdom and advice and most of all your hu...

 

It has been quite some time since I have been on this site. I am so discouraged to know that there is nothing that can help. I have a metronic pacemaker and have so many heart rate drops (it drops 40-50 beats in a second) I have what I call them "my spells" every 4-5 weeks when these severe drops occur. I am extremely tired 2 days before and have mild drops (get sweaty and slightly lightheaded) . They severe "spells" start in the early morning (3-4 am) once they start they continue to occur every hour for an 18-24 hour period. During this time I feel like I am going to die- my BP also drops. I have been on all types of medications, increased my salt intake, drink plenty of water - even used those uncomfortable socks to help with the B...

 

Hi, this isn't going to be happy so if you want a happy story please go to another post. I need to vent my feelings and no one else, and quite possibly some of you, will not understand.

I just now had my first look at my new scar. It is for me, heartbreaking. It appears that my skin is actually raised up and puckered towards one side of the incision! I have had more than 9 surgeries where my skin has been cut into and I have NEVER seen such a bad closure. The incision is maybe 2.5" long but on one side the last 3/8" is raised up and puckered to the point that it can be measured. It isn't flat like the other side or middle. it actually sticks out almost a 1/4" fold. If I were hemming a pant leg I would have to had to ease the fab...

 

Hi all,

I just found out I have heart block, second degree mobitz 2. Dr.'s recommendation is a pacemaker. It seemed pretty straightforward but now I am full of internet info, concerned and confused. I am 43 years old, strong, active, healthy and my symptoms are pretty minimal. I have had random arrythmia over the years and since my brother died of sudden heart attack a year ago I thought maybe I should have it checked out. After a holter test she found heart block during sleep with episodes of mobitz 1 and 2.

The whole thing is weird to me and I am a little freaked out about having a PM. Is this going to affect the time I feel/felt normal or is this potentially going to save my life? Because I am not super symptomat...

 

Hi all, this is my 1st post. Just had my 1st pacer replacement on 3/8/10. It still hurts quite a bit, in fact it feels like a microwave just invaded my chest. I really thought this surgery would be easier then the 1st. The nurses at the docs office make me feel like a junkie, because I would like more pain meds. Is my pain unusual, or am I just a big sissy?

 

I have put in a couple of messages re the scratching sensation I have around my pacemaker and into my ribs. I think it must be my wording but I do not mean 'itching' I mean a rubbing abrasive sensation. I looked back at my messge record and realised I had this a few years ago as well! It is now there all the time and getting more obvious - it is driving me crazy. Docs say there is nothing wrong with pacemaker? I have fibromyalgia and there is talk that it could be inflammation around the area but why this horrible feeling. Anyone with similar or any suggestions please reply before I go completely mad with it cos the docs certainly not helping. Thanks Tracey

 

Has anyone ever had the experience of shocking someone in the shower with an ICD? I remember reading...early on...that it could happen, but wouldn't be felt strongly by the other person.
Information was wrong...

I was just wondering if anyone else had this type of experience.
It's bad enough it has to happen to me, but to have it hurt someone I really care about made it worse. I have a good cardiologist now, but the first one made me feel like he was treating a toenail and gave me very little information.

 

Was riding a good right there for a while! Today, the paramedics were called to my school and I was taken away in an ambulance. I am mortified to say the least.

I was shaking, dizzy, heart was racing but no pain and blood pressure was OK.

"It" kept coming in waves. I would get like disconnected for a few seconds where I couldn't even focus on the floor to make it stop spinning. My hands were shaking so hard I couldn't make them stop. My pulse was racing.

In the ER, everything came back normal. Heart good, PM good, pulse good, blood pressure good. Everyone is calling it a panic attack.

My worry is, that they called "it" a panic attack for 15 years and it turned out to be heart block. What if they ...

 

Well...
I am 'thumping' again with my PM.. more now in the early morning and late night. It seems as though when I am stressed or worried about something it occurs more often.. I am having the medtronics tech. look at it on Tuesday (March 16th).. It is alarming and scary and my cardiologist says if it is troublesome and occurs more often than normal call 911... Any suggestions or similar results from anyone out there? It has been 1 month since my PM surgery...

Thanks in advance!
Judy

 

I say the same answer for all questions you may have on your mind.
Call your pacemaker or ICD manufactor they will answer your questions, They will send a copy by email if you want proof on paper.
Please don't take a persons answer or worry about the problem.
Start at the top that is what we have management for to help you.

 

Hello again everyone,
I had my PM put in in December and am now almost 3 months post op. First off let me just say, I have had nothing but problems from day one. I have episodes of what they call PMT (pacemaker tachycardia) which is my pacemaker ventricle spiking which looks and feels like v-tach. It hurts and causes alot of anxiety.
I also seem to have more paceing the longer I have the devise. I started off with less than 1% atrial and ventrical pacing. I now have 4% atrial pacing and 1% ventrical pacing. I can't seem to do anything strenuous as I get very out of breath and the pacer seems to start pacing more. I am sooooo tired and can not sleep more than a few hours and then I am wide awake. I have ambien but, I would like t...

 

Thanks California Carolyn
Thats a start. Do you feel better more energy?
carlitos

 

I just wanted to tell everyone how much of a Blessing this site is and you ALL are to me. You're all an inspiration too. You all give me a good laugh just when I seem to need it. This has been rough for me. I try to cope the best I can. But when I come on here there is always someone on here I can relate to. And I don't feel so alone. I just wanted you all to know this. Thank you for being there.

 

I was told yesterday it is time for a pacemaker. I am starting the process of finding out all I can before making all the final decisions. Doctors , types of pacemakers, quality, costs of all, how I will feel, activity restriction, addition, sex, sleeping. Tell me all please.
Carl Morris