hi everyone ive been bowled over by some of the stories i have read here. so many people have gone through so much it is hard to think that they just keep going.i thought once i had the pacemaker fitted it would all be over and done with operation wise. in three days i go in again to have more procedures done i wasnt expecting to have to do this again.i suppose i hadnt really thought about it.i had to make the decision to have one very quickly and i had no counselling . when all said and done it is a life changing thing. one that you are stuck with for life.i think there should be more advice and help in the medical profession. i went home without any information or help i had to work it out for my self i wish i had found this site earl...

 

does anyone ever get the short lived desire to rip this clunk of metal out from underneath their skin?
Just wondering if these temporary bouts of insanity ever disipate?
Don't get me wrong, ya'll. I love my new life. It feels wonderful to feel well and "my age" again. I'm slowly picking up the pieces of things I missed out on the last 8 years. I now feel like I have my life back....somewhat.
It feels like I have a small deck of cards under my shoulder, and it's horrible when I cross my arm over my chest towards the other side. Sleeping on my right side, which has been my favorite side before the pacer, is impossible now.
Some days I forget that I even have a pacemaker. It almost seems unreal. I say to myself somedays, ...

 

Dear Uvagershwin,

All of us in some way have been through what you are going through including many, many trips to a cardiologist. I'm sure many of us have had experiences with doctors similar to yours. So..you're not alone here, we can all empathize with you and don't mind your venting. Venting can be good as it clears your head.

Maybe you can switch doctors and find one you are comfortable with? It's your life and your body and when you start to feel like you're in control, you 'll feel much better.

Yes Holter monitors can be annoying but much of what we go through is annoying. But if it saves our lives by providing valuable diagnostic info to the doctors the we should put up with the annoyances. ...

 

Hi everyone. I'm 34 and I just got a defib implant on August 8th. I had been diagnosed with SVT for the past 13 years - but the past couple of months it turned into v-tach and atrial fib. HR would top out at 240 or so. My dr discovered it when he did an event monitor after i told him my symptoms - tunnel vision, blacking out. He admitted me immediately into the ICU to run more tests.Two days later, I had the defib.
The problem is I hate it. I know - it could and probably will save my life. The doctors told me in no uncertain terms what was happening to me. I hate being dependant on a machine. I don't know who to really talk to - everyone around me keeps saying 'just be thankful'. That's not making it any better.
Does...

 

Just thought I'd share a book recommendation with you guys (aimed primarily at anyone with panic and anxiety concerns). I've posted here several times with questions about panic attacks and crippling anxiety and am glad to report that I have discovered a wonderful source of relief! The book I used is called "When Panic Attacks" and it's written by Dr. David Burns. This book has helped me solve problems that go far beyond my anxiety, and I really feel I've learned a lot about myself. It's a workbook and you definitely have to do your homework, but totally worth it. I am now living an anxiety-free existence and wanted to recommend this book to anyone else here who might be struggling. I just wish I had found out about it sooner and hadn't ha...

 

Hi all I have missed you guys lately. I was hoping for somebody's opinion. Lately I have just been wanting to have my pm taken completely out and never deal with it again. I know not a good attitude and I am working on its just shes been giving me hell for so long.
I thought it was so much better after they turned off the bottom lead and then a month ago when I went into the hospital they turned it back on. My spasms have gotten worse and I feel as my pm moves around and presses on a nerve.
I get pain going down my back and into my left arm. Has anybody experienced anything like this? How did you deal with the pain that came with it? When I seem to talk to others about it they just don't understand that I still go on wit...

 

Agree with TraceyE, attitude is everything!

I think all of us who have these wonderful little computers in our bodies have had the ultimate attitude adjustment knock up side the head. (-:

I too feel that my life should have more purpose now because I was given a second chance at it. It also means for me absolutely no more "to do lists" of unimportant things to do.

But there is one main "to do" list now which is always priority.... Laugh more and enjoy life!!!! --- And when you find yourself complaining about your situation? Stop those thoughts in your head and replace them with the good thoughts of how lucky we all are to be here thanks to the modern technology of pacemakers.

Hit the delete k...

 

Have just found out that after passing out 3 times they want to fit a Pacemaker in MY heart! Well I was stunned, only old people have those dont they! I know I am 62, but like to think of myself as a young fit 62. So I looked up on webiste about Pacemakers and came across your site. I can breathe a sigh of relief when reading your letters, not only has it helped me, but most of you so young 20's and 30's. Quite looking forward to having it fitted now.
Thanks all you Pacemaker Buddies xxx

 

I recognize we're all here to help each other out and try to provide answers which can be impossible to obtain elsewhere, but seems to me this site needs a little life. Perhaps someone has a spare pacer to bring this place back to life and add a little humor. I need perking up sometimes.

CABG Patch Kid

 

Hi
I don't have a pm but someone I love does and I am trying to understand things. Did anyone ever experience the fear of dying while they slept and if so how did you learn to cope with that. I just want to learn as much as I can from others so I can better understand what is is like to have pm and what worries come with one and what to say and when.
Thanks

 

Hi
I don't have a pacemaker myself but someone I love does. He has had it two years and he is 38 and it has been hard for him to except. I don't know what to say to him when he thinks about dying and having the pacemaker put in and how it bothers him sometimes. I want to learn more about how it feels to have one and what I can say to encourage him or ease his grief. We have known each other for a while and having this between has caused some seperation in our relationship. I just want to be more support for him.

Thanks

 

Hi and God bless all of you.
I just wanted to say that i apologize if i have offended any one here. I know at the beginning i was very negative with the experiences i had and of getting my pacemaker. I dont mean to be so negative or to have other people think that pacemakers are bad. Pacemakers are actually life savers and i know they improve the quality of life of many people. I guess i have been a bit revelious because i have not had any improvements in my life since i got it and it was due to a medical error. However, I am very thankful to God that i am alive and that i do have this pacemaker because once my av node was burned off...this is what keeps me alive whether i like it or not..lol.
Anyway, every body has different e...

 

I think life is what we make of it and yes some of us have harder times than others but it's how we look at the harder times. Do we focus on them with all the negativity involved or do we move forward and stop looking in the rear view mirror. I hear so many of you saying now if you're reading this, oh but it's so hard to be positive with all my ailments..don't get me wrong I've been there too but I always use the saying - this too will pass. And it does! We weren't all put on this earth with the guarantee that life would be a joy but it can be if we make it that way. It's all attitude.

Having a pacemaker does improve quality of life because for many of us without it? There would be no life and when we complain that it ha...

 

Hey all-
I need some advice/support...
I'm 24 and have had my pacemaker for almost 2 years (implant 01/05/07). I received it due to syncopal episodes (numerous tilt table tests with heart "pauses" of 30-56 seconds...). In the past year I've had a number of complications. They found a small aortic aneurysm and repaired it, pacing has been making me nauseous, an infected lead landing me in the ICU, and had a lead replacement to name a few...
This last year, I also lost three family members (aunt, uncle, cousin) in a car accident, adding stress and an emotional roller coaster that I can't even describe (which the doctors think contributed a lot to the pacemaker issues).
Anyways, I'm in my second and final year of grad sch...

 

Hi everyone,

I am 37 and had my first pacemaker installed 4 days ago after syncope episodes and a diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome. It happened pretty fast. Once I got to the cardiologist I was having surgery less than a week later.

I am already feeling better! so far I feel more alert and energetic and the numbness in right hand (2 fingers) is almost gone after being numb for weeks.

going from a resting heart rate of 38-40 BPM to 58-60 has made a nice difference so far.

 

Reading some of the messages here I see a lot of us (me included at times) are so down on ourselves because of what we went through and we let the negative feelings overcome us. It's hard not to that's for sure but I think we all gotta lighten up a little and put out more positive vibes for any new members here.

I met a little 4 year old girl last night that has had two open heart surgeries and now has to go back to the hospital and have a pacemaker installed. Her attitude was amazing!!!!!
She was laughing and happy as could be and her mother says even through the surgeries she was like that. Her Doctors say one of the major reasons she has come through all the surgeries so well, was her attitude and ability to laugh and...

 

I recently had a pacemaker inserted (Friday, today is Tuesday) after having a syncope monitor show why I was passing out 3-5 times a day. It all happened so fast I had the monitor inserted and a week later they told me I needed a pacemaker and 3 days after that they removed the syncope monitor and put the pacemaker in.

The Surgery didn't go well because they had trouble sedating me and numbing me so I felt a lot of pain. And was in tears through the last part of the surgery and hours later.

Because everything happened so fast and I'm only 24 I'm having a really hard time coping. I haven't been passing out so I know its helping and will make my life better, but I still feel sad and depressed post insertion. I'm not su...

 

i know when my pacer is firing. i am hypersensitive to it. i am also use to feelin it come on and go off. my top lead is set at 60 and my bottom lead is set to 40. when these episodes occur my fiance monitors my bp and my hr. my bp goes everywhere and my hr stays at 60. i know then that my heart is not doin well therefore my pacer is runnin.when my bottom lead fires it sends pain and a burnin sensation across my chest that is almost unbearable. the phsycological part of all this would be easier to deal with if i could get everthin else under control. its hard to explain exactly what happens durin an episode cause i space out a little. but i do know the last bad episode i had i was in bed for 3 days. i could not get my body temp up nor coul...

 

If so was it successful?
Are you able to wean yourself off bet blockers?

 

Hi Guys

For a few weeks I have not been worrying and then bang out of the blue I go down hill. Stressing that I can feel the pacemaker kicking in, like a small flutter. Is this thing taking over my heart, will I be OK.

What the hell is wrong with me? Taking pulse, worrying and making life really hard with no energy, every day to day task takes forever. Help with advice.

Jules