I'm new and still in shock
- by wenditt
- 2009-09-14 12:09:22
- General Posting
- 1590 views
- 13 comments
Hi everyone! I got my pacemaker on Friday 9/11/09. Still a little sore but manageable. Got the bandage removed today...initially I was horrified. The bump, the bruising....just looks awful.
But then I thought again....thank gosh I won't have the heart blocks anymore...no more panic....no more "holy crap where did my pulse just go!" So I am happy for that!
I have a 16 month old daughter. So at least now I can be safe while driving with her and everyone else for that matter.
Well, just saying hello and wishing everyone well.
God Bless,
Wenditt
13 Comments
Mine Was A Shock
by ppt - 2009-09-14 02:09:55
Mine was a shocker. Came out of the blue..no warning. Yep - the site is a mess initially. But in time the swelling goes down as does the bruising. Truthfully it does!! Be so grateful for the 2nd chance at life and go live it !!! Enjoy your daughter. And do not hesitate to call/visit Doc if you feel something isn't right. Trust your instinct. Best of luck.
Shock
by wenditt - 2009-09-14 04:09:14
I am being told that will all of my tests there isn't a known reason for the blocks-so they are calling it a congenital heart block. I do believe it's a 2cd or 3rd degree block-it's all still such a blur I don't know! Motrin is taking a lot of the discomfort away so that is good. Just wish I could drive already! LOL.....
I like what you said about it now slowing you down TraceyE and I am certainly grateful ppt.
Thanks for the welcome!
Take care!
blocks
by Tracey_E - 2009-09-14 05:09:08
Did they explain to you about what a 2nd or 3rd degree block is and how the pm works? It's a bit of a misnomer, it has nothing to do with blocked arteries. It's an electrical signal blocked between the atria and ventricles. 3rd degree, or complete av block, means the signal is always blocked. 2nd degree means sometimes the signal gets through. It's possible to have periods of both. I mostly have 3rd degree block but every once in a while I'll show up in 2nd degree. Doesn't matter which name you put on it, the pm fixes both the same way!
The pm tracks what our heart does. If the atria beats and the ventricle doesn't follow, it generates a pulse that causes a ventricular beat. Our hearts are still doing the beating and still setting the pace, and the pm always gives us a chance to beat on our own before stepping in.
You will probably find as you heal that you have a lot more energy now that your heart is beating in sync. Personally, I never had the stamina for sports or working out before I got the pm. My hr was fast enough to keep me going but it didn't go up with exercise so I tired easily. I became a regular at Sports Authority after I got the stitches out... tennis racket, roller blades, gym shoes, weights... :o)
You can be born with it or contract it and go for years undiagnosed, esp if you're asymptomatic. It's plain as day on an ekg but most young people don't have reason to get one. It's possible to get a block from infection or medications, sometimes they don't know what happened. When we're born with it, it's just a fluke. It's nothing we could have prevented, it's also nothing we can pass on to our kids.
If you have any questions about the condition or healing or living with a pm, please ask away! I'm 42 now and on my 4th device. I feel great and live an active life. I'm a mom of two, own a small business, girl scout leader, school volunteer, I work out... anything I want! Most people don't even know I have a pm. It's not a secret but I don't make a big deal about it and it doesn't come up in conversation. I'm grateful to have something so easily fixed.
mine was a shock
by JennMiller - 2009-09-14 06:09:04
Welcome!
Its for the best, as strange as that sounds. I was 20 when I got my first PM. I'm now almost 26 and on my second. Pre pacemaker my heart rate was around 16-20, scary now looking back. I went in for a tilt table test, didnt have the test and and had PM surgery the next day. I am 86% dependent on PM now.
It will take a bit to come to grips with this new life but you will get used to it. It will start to feel and look better and you will have a pretty amazing story to tell your baby girl when she gets older. Let me know if you have any questions. We have all been where you are and we all know its pretty scary.
Jenn
Hang in there
by COBradyBunch - 2009-09-14 06:09:11
Been there, done that, got the scar and Medi Alert Dog Tag. Hang in there, the swelling and pain will go down, but don't let the doc tell you it shouldn't hurt if it still does. I was in a lot of pain two weeks after the implant (worse than right after) as my body tried to deal with the little hitchhiker it picked up. Also have a heart nap problem and still getting used to the idea (implant date, June 22nd). Mine was a real sudden thing, had two syncope episodes and with the 2nd one the ER doc kept me overnight and then they found my heart was taking naps of several seconds and after a day of research, talking with docs, nurses and others it was decided that I would get a PM. I am 50, in pretty good shape and no other underlying heart disease. Why the blocks? Nobody has a clue other than some people's electrical systems have problems for a huge number of reasons, most of which they never discover the root cause of.
Anyway, welcome to the club and let yourself recover. One last thing, DON'T rent the movie 'The Wrestler' any time soon. Made that mistake and it set me back a couple of weeks on the psychological recovery track.
THANK YOU
by wenditt - 2009-09-14 08:09:11
Let me jut begin by thanking all of you for the warm welcome, advice, explanations and well wishes. I have gotten more comfort and information from all of you than from the dr.'s. Wondering about how long before you all returned to work? I was hoping to go back next week. I teach part time right up the road so I am keeping my fingers crossed they let me go back. Afraid to use up all my time plus I will be home in time to nap with the baby! BONUS!
My baby "found" my boo-boo today! She kept asking "What's that?" She kept gently touching it as I was saying "do nice." I finally answered her "What's that..." and told her it was hearts best friend. That made me a little sad. Because I know one day she will realize I am a little different and wonder if she will have to have one too.
Hoping you are all right and the swelling goes down. I am on the thin side so I have a feeling this thing might turn out to look like a third breast! Hahaha....just trying to hang on to my humor!
Wenditt
kids
by Tracey_E - 2009-09-14 10:09:16
I got my first pm before I had either of my kids so they've never known any different. I don't make a big deal of it or let it slow me down so they think nothing of it. Kids will follow our lead.
AV blocks are not genetic, her odds of getting a pm are no higher than any other healthy person. We did a cardiac work up on both of my kids last summer, they are 11 and 12. I wasn't expecting to find anything (and we didn't) but everyone has piece of mind now knowing they both beat normally.
If you don't have to do any lifting, next week should be fine to go back to work. Some take off longer, but I was out less than a week.
If you are thin, there is a good chance you'll always see the lump but on most people they tend to settle in somewhat and not be terribly obvious. Don't judge what you see for another month or two!
message from my 12 yr old who's reading over my shoulder...
My mom's definitely different, but not because of her pacemaker. Most of my friends know that she has one, but they don't really care. Especially one of them of which I've been friends with since kindergarten, she gives her no pity whatsoever.
(got the keyboard back)
She's talking about M. Between scouts (troop leader), cheer (team mom) and school (PTO), I spend a lot of time with my kids' friends. I clown around with them, they show no mercy and M is usually the instigator. The kids definitely do not walk on egg shells around me! I might start to act my age some day, but I've made it this long so why start now, ya know? :o)
U Go Girl !
by ppt - 2009-09-14 11:09:06
Things will definitely improve with time. It took me a while to get back on track - but with good Drs and good manufacturers reps to help monitor and manage PM settings I am back to the gym and endurance and strength are returning!! Be of good cheer !! I certainly agree with Tracey - dont make a big deal out of it. Life your life !!
shock
by SianXx - 2009-09-15 12:09:03
Welcome to the site. I'm 15, and I was so shocked when I took my bandage removed, that I felt faint and had to sit down for a minute! It almost made me sick! All is fine now though and after 6 months I have 2 barely visible tiny scars :D
You will get used to it eventually!
Glad you can live a normal life now with your baby, enjoy it, have fun!
SianXx
Welcome!
by kettering72 - 2009-12-24 02:12:40
Welcome to the club!
Hope you are doing well.
I got my pacemaker 7 years ago at age 30 (after 12 years of symptoms and misdiagnosis from my former doctor). I have two kids (one post implant). The only trouble that I have had recently is with my leads right under my collarbone. They are starting to wear out so they are keeping a closer eye on them. They think it is happening because I have young kids, and because of lifting them etc. But I don't let having a pacemaker stop me from doing anything.
Do you know what % of the time you are being paced?
Happy holidays.
Samantha
Pacing
by wenditt - 2009-12-24 03:12:05
I am currently pacing 1% of the time on the upper and 1% of the time on the lower. With any luck it will stay that way. :-)
You know you're wired when...
You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.
Member Quotes
I am not planning on letting any of this shorten my life. I am planning on living a long happy battery operated life. You never know maybe it will keep me alive longer. I sure know one thing I would have been dead before starting school without it.
welcome!
by Tracey_E - 2009-09-14 01:09:34
It's definitely a shock! Was your block congenital or what that a surprise also? There are a lot of us here who've been there, please don't be shy if you have questions. I was born with my third degree block and got my first pm when I was 27. I haven't slowed down since! Those of us with av block are fortunate because it's one of the easiest things to fix with a pm. The pm simply completes the broken circuit so our hearts can beat normally.
The bruising will heal and the bump should go down at least some. You've got the right attitude, focus on how good you're going to feel when you heal and how much safer you will be.