new to me
Hi, Just had my pacemaker fitted, and i feel lost, was only diagnosed in december, i thought pacemakers were for old people. It seems to be so routine with the hospital, but i'm just floundering around trying to make sense of it all. Will i still be able to feel it when it has healed in 6 weeks? will i just carry on as if it is not there? the staff say life should be normal, would like to hear from other people who have been where i am.
9 Comments
Too Old??
by qwerty - 2010-01-31 01:01:22
I am 59, and yes I too am too young for this! With that said. I have had my PM almost a week now. Other than a very sore shoulder, I feel better than I have felt in along time. This site is great and everyone said I would feel better after I got this, but I really didn't realize how much better. Funny how I thought I was just getting "OLD" and slowing down. Well look out world.... I am young again!!!
Hang in there vernalane..... It is a little scary to think of some little piece of metal telling your heart what to do, but wow.. how much better I, and YOU will, feel!!!
Oh... Remember... ONLY BUTTON UP SHIRTS FOR A WHILE. Getting dressed can be challenging and this reallllly helps.
Too young
by paulb - 2010-01-31 11:01:01
I understand how you feel. I just turned 25 and I am getting one on Wednesday. I am definitely nervous but after reading a lot of posts on here it has helped to ease my mind some. I have electrical problems, MPV, and abnormal heart rhythm. I am hoping it will make me feel better cause right now I have a lot of fainting spells, nauseous, weak, and short of breath. The dr said my body is just not getting enough blood/oxygen to all of my organs including my brain which is why things look funny to me; somewhat blurred. I have this "unreal" feeling due to this like Im in a fog. I hope all goes well for you and keep us posted. I find people's responses on here very helpful.
hi to you
by kmf0318 - 2010-01-31 11:01:12
Hi I too just received my pacemaker last month on Dec 1. I also thought they were for old people. I still have a hard time accepting the fact that I have one. I can still feel it after almost 9 weeks. I have gotten used to it. I have had to have some adjustments since then. I am going to be 46 in March, like I said I still have a hard time knowing I have a pacemaker. I dont know when I will ever get used to it. I know I have to give it time. Good Luck. This website is great for help
too young
by Tracey_E - 2010-01-31 11:01:17
Yes, pacemakers are usually for old people, but they're also for young people who don't want to be old before their time. I'm 43 and just got my 4th pm last week, got my first one at 27. I would not be here today without it, 27 was definitely too young to die so I may be a little biased but I don't think it's too young to have a pm. :o) I'm grateful to have it, I went from tired and dizzy all the time to living a full, active life.
Some people have more trouble adjusting than others. You can absolutely carry on as you did before. I never give mine a thought, it's just a part of me. It will only hold you back if you allow it to.
How much you can feel it after it heals depends on your doctor and your build. Sometimes they are more obvious than others.
try to relax
by mhil - 2010-01-31 12:01:35
Hi....I'm so old Steve Allen was my favorite Tonight Show Host!
I sympathize with you having to get a pace when so young, but you will feel better in time.
Live Normal
by montrealgirl - 2010-02-01 02:02:01
Hi there,
I just turned 35 and have had one for 2 decades now. Believe it or not very few people even know I have one. For me, it does not affect what I can do - only airports and I never wanted sympathy or concern from anyone around me.
It sucks at times - especially when it needed replacing but it sure beats the alternative.
My advice is to not limit anything because of it.
Recover from surgery and live your life like you had planned.
Cat
we all think we're too young! lol
by Hot Heart - 2010-02-01 05:02:46
Hi there, I was a fit 55 year old, and was devestated, hadnt a clue why I needed a pm.now i know, have soooooooooooo much energy and feel great!
Just live life
HH
many thanks too you all
by vernalane - 2010-02-01 07:02:06
I have never been what you may call a positive person, and i always see the bad side of everything. But thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read and comment, I don't feel quite so alone and bad, I bet most of you would have liked to give me a kick up the bum! lol
Yes I am too young to die, but i not to young to accept change gracefully. Today I am really trying to be more positive and stop being a winge.
Thank you so much to you all and I wish us all luck with our life changing bionics!
You know you're wired when...
Trade secrets can be smuggled inside your device.
Member Quotes
Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.
Been there
by jm48 - 2010-01-31 01:01:14
I'm 27, and got my pacemaker when I was 26. I felt almost exactly the way you do when I first got it. It took me a long time to get used to it, but it has been a slow steady improvement. Its been six months now and I've been feeling very much myself for a while. I no longer think about the pacemaker all the time, so I can assure you that time makes a big difference and you will almost certainly adjust.