Told I need a Pacemaker this week
Hi,
I am a 27 year old female who was told this week I need a pacemaker after suffering dizzy spells since I was 13. Had always gone to dr to investigate when they got bad, however it was always put down to hormones and since the age of 21 my occasional bouts of anxiety. However recently saw a Neurologist who thought I had epilepsy, but tests showed my heart stopping for 8 seconds during one of my spells, and now here I am with what cardiologist suspects is sinus arrest or av block. I am seeing surgeon next week to discuss procedure further and weather or not the pm should be placed under my breast for cosmetic reasons as I am still young. I will have a dual chamber device. Can girls tell me if this is where they have theirs implanted? Also, really trying to stay positive about it all, I haven't cried yet! However I got married this year and in my weaker moments on my own, I feel so much fear but I am keeping it together for my hubby, family and friends so they don't loose it. Can anyone offer some reassurance?
Scared.
8 Comments
There with ya!
by helotespb - 2009-11-12 10:11:08
I just recently had mine put in at 43 due to sinus problems basically and due to history of heart problems, but the implant was done because I was going to have sinus (sphenoid blocked) surgery and had to get cleared with the cardiologist which found my slow heart rate. So i had to have the pm first then 4days later i had the sinus surgery, my pm is near the collarbone, but I feel 80% better with it than I felt before I always diagnosed myself with severe fatigue because I have diabetes, never knowing it was a slow heart rate. I got 3 opinions before I went through with it..I have no regrets. If you have any questions I would be glad to answer or talk to you, my email is mustangblue2 @yahoo.com,name is Patty, I dont often check this site, but do check my email, feel free to contact me. I walked the shoes of fear. All is better..Good luck with everything, and this is an awesome website.
Patty
Having surgery next week
by Pelelives - 2009-11-12 10:11:48
HI PMGirl,
I have been asking these same questions on this forum for a few weeks. TraceyE seems to have the most long-term experience with the sub-mammary placement and is a great resource for you.
I will be having that sort of surgery next week. Finding a doctor to do it that way has been a challenge, but we are on board now. I am very comfortable doing it this way. I have read as many internet articles as I have been able to find, and it seems that women who have chosen this procedure over the standard "in the neck" are happy with the outcome and successfully moved on with their life.
So, I think I am headed the right direction for myself. I hope you are able to come to a conclusion that makes you comfortable as well.
Quick Diagnosis
by ElectricFrank - 2009-11-12 11:11:44
Only took them 14 years to find your problem. Wow.
Thanks!
by pmgirl - 2009-11-13 02:11:03
Thank you all for your comments, especially TraceyE. I cried when I read your post, but it was out of relief more than anything else!
It's comforting to know that there are others that have been in my situation, at my age before, and that going on and living a normal life is absolutely possible with a pacemaker...this is what I plan to do!
Thanks again :)
stay positive
by mimcfarl - 2009-11-13 11:11:17
hello, i had my pm put in at the age of 33 on 02/19/09 due to a 2 to 1 av block. i am 34 now . i was so worried in the beginning, due to the fear of not knowing what will happen. i started researching and found this site, and it has helped me tremendously. i have a 4yr old daughter and a good support system that keeps me going. seem like you have the same. i had my pm implanted below my clavicle, i didn't have any major problems with it, of course sore for 2 to 3 weeks after that i was back feeling better than before not sluggish and dizzy. back to working and enjoying the things i did before with no problem. dr did a good job scar so small u cant really c it. the everyday person dont even know i have any thing wrong unless i tell them. blessings to u.
Aesthetics...
by pmgirl - 2009-11-17 03:11:26
Thanks live.in.peace,
The more time I have to research and get used to the idea of a pacemaker, the better I feel. I am still scared of having the surgery, but I think I will be able to adapt to life with a pacemaker, and it's great to hear stories like yours!
I too am fairly trim and have a small chest, so I'm going to talk to the surgeon about what can be done aesthetically when I see him next week. I understand the recovery time may be a bit longer, but I think it would probably be worth it to try and have it hidden somewhere...if there isn't the risk of complications (as you say, with mammograms in the future).
Just wondering if there is anyone out there from Australia?
Thanks for your comments!
so worth it.
by live.in.peace - 2009-11-17 09:11:04
Hi there,
I am a 21 year old female and I just received my first pacemaker 3 weeks ago. As much as I put on a happy face for everyone else about the procedure and device- I WAS SCARED!
Now, 3 weeks post-op I am back and doing everything I did before the insertion and feeling much better doing it!
As for aesthetics- my surgeon did an amazing job. He placed it as low as he could without putting it behind the breast tissue. We discussed this as an option, but he mentioend that there may be complications with mammograms later. This may not be true for everyone. I opted to not risk it.
I am a tall woman, but I was impressed that he was able to put it almost 6 inches below my collar bone. The scar is a little over 2 inches long- there has only been one day that my scar stuck out a little from my shirt. (However, I avoid tube top, low cut shirt look)
As for the bump- it's only noticeable if I touch it. The doctor had told me that it would stick out a lot (I'm fairly thin), but it's barely there!
I am so happy with the placement and look of my chest- the little scar is a very small price to pay for feeling 100% better.
Talk to your doctor about what is important to you aesthetically, and lather up with Vitamin E for the scar after the surgery.
Best of Luck!
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been there
by Tracey_E - 2009-11-12 07:11:36
Welcome!! I got my first pm at 27 also, which was the first year I was married. I am 43 now and still feel great. Most people who know me have no idea I have a heart condition. It doesn't hold me back at all, I look just like every other woman at the gym or mom at the PTO meeting.
If you need to cry, let it out then move on. Thinking positive is very important and you've got a great attitude! It will help you get back on your feet faster. Negative thoughts don't change anything, the best we can do is play the hand we're dealt and get on with it.
I think you're going to find that you feel a lot better! Now that you know what's causing the problems, you can fix it. I also had a lifetime of getting tired easily and dizziness, though I was diagnosed at 5 with av block so I always knew I'd eventually need a pm. I felt so full of energy that I honestly never went through the anxiety and resentment that is common during recovery. I went crazy exercising and trying out all the sports I'd never had the energy for before. I was like a kid in a candy store at Sports Authority :o)
Mine is placed under the breast. There are not many of us with this placement though it's more common now than when I had it done. I really like it. I can't even feel the lump if I poke around looking for it. It never gets in the way of working out or hiking with a heavy backpack. Some women with the traditional placement under the clavicle complain of rubbing with seatbelts and bra straps, I never dealt with any of that. I nursed two babies. I've had mammograms. For the most part, I can forget it's there.
The downside is since it's buried deeper, recovery time is longer. I don't think it was any more painful than a regular placement but it was a good 2 or 3 months before I could comfortably wear a bra (my incision is on the side where the underwire hits) or move in any direction without discomfort. I never took anything for pain other than Tylenol so it wasn't bad, it was just drawn out.
Did they explain to you what av block and sinus arrest are, and how the pm works to fix them? If you have questions about either, or living with a pm or anything else that pops into your head, please don't be shy! If you'd like to chat, let me know or post here or whatever you're comfortable with. We've all been there and we're happy to help you through it.