New to the club

Hi Everyone

I am new to this site and this is my first posting.

It came as a big shock to me when I found that I 'needed' a pacemaker as I have lived a pretty healthy, active life for a 29 year old - you know work hard, play hard, living life to the full with no previous health issues. I had 2 episodes of fainting this year; the first in May 2009 when I blacked out whilst passing water - visited A&E as had chest pains, palpitations and pins and needles, I was told that I was in atrial Fibualation on admission and was admitted to the cardiac ward for 6 days and discharged after a series of tests were they couldn't find anything wrong with me. I was however told I am bradycardia
(slow heart rate - my resting heart rate 46bpm). The next faint happend in October, a similar thing as before, whilst passing water I felt dizzy, I made it back to the bed but then fainted. This time I had a tilt table test and after only a couple of minutes I blacked out and my heart stopped/paused for 30
seconds. I had my pacemaker fitted 4 days later.

I had my pacemaker fitted just over 4 weeks ago at the young age of 29. Over the last few weeks I have found it a bit difficult to get my head around whats happend, but now seem to be recovering well from the op and trying to just get back to normal, which at the moment seems to be the same as before but I am now running on batteries :)

I am glad I have found this site as there are alot of answers to questions that I haven't even thought of yet and things that the doctors don't tell you. After browsing through this site I realise that I am not alone and not the youngest.

Happy Christmas and all the best for the new year!

Gary

16 Comments

Hi

by gaz649115 - 2009-12-26 01:12:14

Hi Gary

Welcome to this wonderful site you have lots of friends and help on here .I am from Glasgow and just had my first year with a pm.

All the best to you in 2010

Helen
x

Can relate

by cfritza - 2009-12-26 01:12:28

Hi Gary,

Iam somewhat new to the site also, since Oct 2009 is when I got my pacemaker. and I like many others can really realte to what you went through and are feeling. I felt I was way to young for a pacemaker and I am 48. I took good care ( I thought) ate right exercised reguarly (ran 3-4 miles 4-5x week) and then I suddenly fainted in Oct of 2008. Was fitted with a holter monitor and found my heart bradyed down to 28 and then paused for 4 sec.
I had a loop recorder implanted and a year and a half later had anoter episode 8 sec pause. Had a pacemaker implanted two days later. I felt very sad and sitll do sometimes, but realize we just have to make the best of what life has dealt us. I am back to working as a RN at a hospital and exercising like before, although at times it is a litte mind blowing when I think I have this thing in my chest for the rest of my life.
I think in time things will cont. to get better and sites like this are nice to read about the positve things. I know my life will never be like before the pacemaker but who says it can't be just a good.
May 2010 bring hope and healing for all!

New Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2009-12-26 02:12:02


Hello Gary,

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club

You say you have lived a healthful life but now find yourself on the receiving end of pacemaker surgery for bradycardia. So for as I know a slow heart rate such as yours is not the result of how we live. Bradycardia is the result of a problem with the heart's electrical system. For reasons I'll never understand our heart's natural pacemaker may generate the electrical impulse needed to make our heart beat but the path way to carry that impulse to where it is needed ceases to be a good conductor of that electrical change.

To make it even more confusing, this problem may come and go. By that I mean we may have a low heart rate which can cause problems for awhile and then return to normal rate. Fortunately for us living today we can get a pacemaker that will monitor our heart function and when it detects a low heart rate it will step in and increase the heart rate. The pacemaker will continue to monitor the heart function and when it sees the heart's natural pacemaker sending an impulse that will make the heart beat the PM will defer to the heart's PM and wait for the next time it can help.

Having difficulty getting our head around this life changing event is not unusual, especially if you have no warnings that something is amiss with your heart. But don't despair, you are among millions that are alive and continuing to enjoy life because of these little electronic marvels. Sure it will impose some restrictions on your life style, but they are not nearly as many as you may think right now.

If you continue to read messages here you will find many questions from people asking about something they may or may not be able to do now that they have a pacemaker. If you are like me, these messages will teach you many times more about your pacemaker and what it can or cannot do for you than you will get from your doctor. Now I don't say that to be critical of your doctor, but I find that most of them prefer to answer our direct questions and not talk about possibilities.

Good luck,

Smitty


Welcome

by Quemal - 2009-12-26 02:12:10

Welcome to the wonderful world of the bionic people.

I had pretty much the same episode as you. In July 2009, I passed out walking from my company vehicle to the customer's home. Went to my personal Doctor, he sent me to the E.R. They decided to watch me for a day, under constant heart monitor. The following day, it happened again. I was then diagnosed with A-FIB and Sick Sinus Syndrome.

Three days later I was sporting a brand new Medtronic PM, also clueless about what just happened. Thanks to the pacemakers club, I am a lot less clueless.

Besides the dizziness, and the palpitations, was the month of doing NOTHING!! The boredom was excruciating.

I am still trying to get back on my bicycle. Slowly but surly, I will get there.

Welcome!!!!

by Pookie - 2009-12-26 03:12:04

Hi.

The above members pretty well summed it up. It is life changing but not that life changing after you get your head around what has happened. For some of us we end up having a bit of depression or stress or anxiety, while some fly through this event with no issues at all. For some of us the recovery period is very easy physically, and for others they might have a harder time. We are all different is what I'm trying to say.

But...you have found, in my opinion, THE BEST site and most supportive people & if you ever have a question, please feel free to post. No question is a stupid question either. I have found that I have learned more on here than from all my doctors. I guess it's because we all have either a pacer or a defib and can relate to the experience.

Again, welcome to the club and I wish you the best.

Pookie

Welcome

by Ronniecolorado - 2009-12-26 04:12:09

All the best,

Ron

Hi Gary

by dw5281 - 2009-12-26 04:12:17

Ive always fainted - I remember first doing it when i was 7 at primary school!! Took til I was 27 til they decided I was a little broken! had my pm implanted feb 08 so its nearly 2years without black outs & banging my head! I also had a loop recorder implanted first that recorded a pause when I blacked out - thank god for technology! I was in shock as well i blacked out on the sunday went to hospital on the monday had the pm implanted on the wednesday! Just had time to ring work to say I wouldnt be in for the foreseeable future & that was it!

Good luck for your recovery I had 6 weeks off work & i was so bored!!

Debs

WELCOME ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2009-12-26 05:12:40

You have found the right PM Club to "Post" and get positive "Comments" from over 10,000 members on PM questions, worries and concerns, and we, as members, love to hear from "newbies" to the PM Club ~

The people who comment on this site have years & years of experience with having PM's and any & all problems which could be related to PM implants.
These members can answer questions before you can even get an appointment with your doctors! The comments I get from this site or usually more in-depth, with language I can understand, than what the doctor's office can give me.

Again, Welcome to the PM Club ~ YOU now have over 10,000 newest, bestest friends!

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR IN 2010 ~

Carolyn G. in TEXAS "HOOK 'EM HORNS" 1/7/10

Hi there

by wenditt - 2009-12-26 07:12:16

Gary,
Welcome to the club! I am 33 and had fainting episodes since I was 18 and they never could find anything. I was diagnosed with intermittent 3rd degree heart block on 9/11 and had my pacemaker implanted the same day.

I too am having trouble wrapping my brain around it as well. Everyone will tell you its gets better and easier and it does. I am learning that day by day. But everyone is different. I am taking a LONG road to acceptance LOL as you will see many of my posts are titles panic!

I have good days and bad days. I hope you learn to accept far faster than I have/am.

I'm glad they got to the bottom of your problem. I am glad you are ok.

This site is full of educated, smart, helpful people. I come here all the time.

Best of luck to you in the New Year!

Welcome

by Jake93 - 2009-12-26 08:12:27

Welcome to the site Gary, as others have said you will find a wealth of information here. I am about to turn 49 and got my pm 6 months ago for the same thing. Passing out and a heart rate of uper 30's - low 40's. I lasted about 15 min on the tilt table test till I went out.

It does take a while to get used to having a pm, but as for myself I am thankful to have mine.

Tim

Hello

by lenora - 2009-12-26 11:12:06

Welcome! I got my pacemaker for atrial fib and flutter 5 years ago. I used to pass out with flutter especially--not good since it always happened at work and I'm a cardiac intensive care nurse! We went through every antiarrhythmic drug known to mankind before resorting to the pacemaker and nothing every worked for very long. The pacemaker can't stop afib but you hardly know you're in it anymore. Given a choice I'd love to not have this darn thing but I don't miss the passing out part!!

Welcome!

by Suze - 2009-12-27 01:12:28

I don't have much to add to all of the previous replies...except to give you a huge WELCOME ! !

You will love this site. I have found ten times the info (regarding living with a pacemaker) on this site compared with all my medical "experts". And I also had A Fib (with sinus pauses) and bradycardia before I was implanted 3.5 yrs ago.

Again, welcome!
Suze

Hi Gary

by breezy - 2009-12-27 08:12:03

I am also new here..having a PM for just 2 months
I have found such nice people and full of information
makes me smile and happy that the folks here can relate to how I am feeling.. I am happy to have found this site and I read lots of the postings. Have learned alot from just reading..so I too welcome you and wish you the best
breezy

Thank You

by GaryPeckham - 2009-12-27 09:12:38

Dear All,

Thank you for all so much for your kind comments and sound advice, all of which i'll take onboard. Glad I've found this site with so many people who really understand.

Enjoy the rest of the holidays
Best regards, Gary

Hi Gary

by donb - 2009-12-27 11:12:52

I also want to welcome you to this site. I lived with my PMs' for 17 years before joining this support group. All I can say is that I can't believe how un-informed I was all those years without supportive answers.

As I have been one of the lucky PM patients, living a very active life, working and playing hard and will be reaching the age of 78 in a few days. I had a setback this past year which with the support of this group helped me get back on track. I now support a new right chest St Jude PM and leads installation which is doing it's job real well along with my 1st medical drug change in all the years.

Please use this site, search past postings and don't forget the photo gallery, our family of PM people. Donb

You're in good hands here!

by ela-girl - 2009-12-27 12:12:34

Glad you found us, Gary!

I understand what you are going through. I was 29 when I had my pacer implanted via emergency surgery 3 years ago. I was blacking out for 5 years before any doctor actually caught what was going on with me "on tape." Blacking out for me was a way of life--a problem that was consistently inconsistent. I was always tired and my body would take days to regain homeostasis from one blackout episode--and sometimes I would have many a day. Even though you can still have symptoms of your condition with your pacer, I can say that I have not had one symptom since getting mine. I pray you are just as blessed! There's nothing quite like having your life back.

You will find a wealth of experience on this site, so post with any questions you have. Don't feel silly either. I think most members would agree when I say that Electric Frank and Smitty are our technical gurus and the go to guys when someone has a techy question about the pacer or heart.

Welcome!
ela-girl

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You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.