New to the club....

I am 47 and just got my PM on 5/13/09. Was discharged last night. What a whirlwind! Went to my Dr's office for a post-flu check up, and an alert associate listened to my description of feeling like I was having a relapse, and put me on an EKG machine. Then they brought in a different machine and more experienced tech because they couldn't believe the readings they got from my first test. The next thing I knew, I was being told I had "Complete Heart Block" and my choices were going to the hospital by ambulance, or going to the hospital with someone driving me, but they really didn't want me to choose that one. They wanted me in the ambulance. I didn't have anyone with me to drive, so it was a moot point.

At the hospital they spent a day trying to figure out why a young, basically healthy woman would suddenly show up with complete heart block, but in the end it was obvious that I would need a pacer no matter what, so here I am. The teams that worked on me were great, and a sense of humor helped all of us.

I find I have waves of anxiety, and battle the thought of not wanting to call the doctor for every little thing I notice, but also don't want to be stupid and ignore something that could be serious. I am glad I found this group! Maybe some of you can share your experience and help me to sort all the new bits out.
Once I get past all these new "firsts," maybe I will be able to help a newbie myself.

Karen, aka Bionic Woman

8 Comments

Welcome to the club!!!!

by harley63 - 2009-05-16 05:05:53

Glad that you found the Pacemaker Club early on!! Having such a wonderfully supportive internal bling bling family will help with the 'firsts'. No question is stupid.. so fire away. We all have been there done that!

Cheering for your speedy recovery!!
Harley

...zoom....zoom...


Welcome...

by chip - 2009-05-16 06:05:05


Welcome!

You'll find, as the days go by that you have a few questions. We all did at first, and still do.

This site and the folks here are a wealth of real life information.

Don't be shy if you have an issue or a question - just ask.

Again, glad you're here.

Hi Bionic Woman!

by TexasAngel - 2009-05-16 06:05:14

Welcome to this exclusive club. :-)

I got my pacemaker for complete heart block when I was 44. It is pretty overwhelming getting a pacemaker so fast and so young, huh?

I hope you can find out what caused your heart block. Mine was caused by sarcoidosis. But there are a multitude of things that can cause it. Pacemakers are wonderful! You will feel so much better!! Pretty soon you won't even notice it or think about it every minute of every day! :-)

Take care of yourself and do rush your body! Give it time to heal!

Hope you are feeling wonderful soon!!

TA

I mean't do NOT

by TexasAngel - 2009-05-16 06:05:45

Do NOT rush your body!! Wow what a difference 3 little letters make! Oops! :-)

welcome!

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-16 10:05:33

I had one of those trips also! Only I drove myself anyway and everyone from the doctor to my husband to the lady waiting to admit me was ready to kill me for being so stupidly stubborn. :o)

I'm 42 now, I was 27 when I got my first pm for CHB. We've got the easiest thing to fix with a pm! Block is a bit of a misnomer. It's not a blocked artery- plumbing problem- it's an electrical block. Our hearts beat perfectly normally, they just have a broken circuit so the signal doesn't make it from the atria to the ventricles. Our hearts are still setting the pace, the pm just steps in and bridges the gap, it tells the ventricle when the atria beats. You should be back to your old self- probably a much more energetic version- before you know it. Please don't be shy if you have questions about recovering and living with these things.

Knowing when to call is a tough one! Finding out our heart doesn't beat right makes us paranoid but we don't want to drive the dr crazy. When in doubt, call and ask. Better to bother them over nothing than ignore something serious.

Two things not to ever mess around with are chest pain/pressure and a return of your old symptoms. Go straight to the ER if you get either. Feeling tired and sore for a bit are normal. Shooting pains as the pm heals are normal.

Getting dizzy or short of breath can be a sign your settings need tweaked. The settings they send us home with are usually factory standards, not always right for someone young and active so it may take a few tries to get it set right where you need it.

You'll find that as the soreness goes away and you get back to feeling your old self, that this all eventually becomes normal. I honestly rarely give it a thought now, it's just a part of me. I am active and healthy, most people who know me have no idea I have my little titanium buddy keeping me going.

A couple of thoughts

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-16 11:05:26

A viral infection is a common cause of rhythm problems. My initial symptoms came on after a week of flu symtoms.

Don't be spooked by the "heart block" diagnosis. It sounds too much like blocked arteries, when actually it is a problem in a nerve pathway between the upper and lower chambers of your heart. It is one of the easiest things to treat with a pacemaker. Once they get the settings adjusted you should be back to feeling normal.

frank

Another one eh!!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-05-17 02:05:18

Hi there, yet another complete heart block surprise! I wonder how many other people are walking around like us who have absolutely no idea that there is anything wrong with them.

I've still no idea what may have caused mine, was it the liposuction? was it the chest infection id had the previous month? or had it always been there? I will never know.

Karen I was totally shell shocked and still am a little, but am more used to the idea now, so I know exactly how you are feeling.

I was 55 and thought I was really fit and healthy, gym, dancing, etc. I know to some people 55 sounds old, but I really did only think i was about 35!! lol.

I spent a couple of months feeling about 90 and am now back to perhaps 45, so I'm getting there!! lol.

There is always the initial 'scariness' of it all, but over time you will get used to the different sensations relating to pacing. If you are ever concerned, do call the doctor, even if its just for a bit of reassurance.

People on here brill as well, so much info and support.

Good luck HH

Thanks, Everybody!

by Bionic Woman - 2009-05-19 04:05:16

What a treat to log on and see so many supportive responses. And just reading the random posts helps too.

Today I went to the cardiologist for a full-on stress test to see if there is anything else going on with my heart, but I won't have the results until Friday. I didn't have any trouble with the treadmill test; in fact, it felt kind of good to get the heart rate up. Little by little my confidence is building.

Again, Thanks for the warm welcome.

Karen

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

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