Worried

I'm 28 years old. I've had four episodes where I passed out without warning over the course of several years. I've had every test known to man, and now have a surgically implanted heart monitor. My holter monitor showed my heart stoping for 2 and 3 second intervals during my sleep. Last week, I went to my cardiologist to have my monitor checked and it showed my heart had stopped for 7 seconds. He now says I have to get a pacemaker. I'm not scared of the procedure--I've had a number of operations. However, I am worried about how it will effect my lifestyle. I am planning on having children in the near future. Also, I have a pretty bad back injury that would need future MRI's. Also, I have breast implants--the only way to detect a leak is an MRI. I'm concerned about the PM inhibiting my ability to treat my other health issues since I won't be able to have an MRI with it. I don't know what to do. Should I refuse the PM in favor of my other health problems?

11 Comments

been there.. done that!!

by sam78 - 2010-02-08 10:02:23

I soooooo feel for ya. I am only 31 and have had more health problems then most 60 year olds. I have lost count on number of procedures or surgeries. We have all been there in being scared about a pacemakers (or at least the ones that have had time to think about it, but the energizer bunnies were thrown in our chests). I am sure you will have lots of questions, and we have lots of answers. Due take some time to scroll the site, there is wonderful information on here. And if you dont find your answer.... post away.. many of us love to help.

Thanks

by lawyer - 2010-02-08 10:02:34

You didn't offend me at all. That's the kind of thing I need to hear. It's just a lot to deal with and I've had so many health problems I feel like I'm 88 instead of 28. I appreciate your straighforward response.

to put it bluntly

by sam78 - 2010-02-08 10:02:53

And please DO NOT take this the wrong way... but to put it bluntly... if you heart doesnt beat.. then are the other health problems that important?? IE it only takes ONCE for you heart to not beat long enough to through you into a fatal arrhythmia and death... There are MANY other ways to deal with health problems and diagnosing other than an MRI. Gotta keep the heart beating!!!

Need for MRI's

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-09 01:02:45

The MRI issue is definitely a limitation, but the heart comes first. There is work being done both in MRI and pacemaker technology that should allow some MRI's.

You might take a look at:

http://www.theheart.org/article/970309.do

This describes the problem and solutions. From the article it looks likes the technology is ready, but still needs to go through the FDA approval process in the U.S.

Hopefully, by the time you need an MRI it will be available.

best,

frank

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2010-02-09 03:02:05

How quickly you recover depends on your dr, where they put it, and you. We all heal at different rates and have a different tolerance for pain. Most people are sore for a few days but feel pretty good by a week, fully recovered by 6-8 weeks. You'll need to baby the side with the device for 6 weeks- no lifting, no raising the arm above your head- to give the leads a chance to get some scar tissue built up.

good luck

by nat36 - 2010-02-09 03:02:33

The surgery is really fast and before you know it you are home. My doctor recommended putting my pacemaker under the muscle and I am very glad I did it. He said it is just a little more protection and if you are young and active it helps. So that may be something you want to ask your doctor about. You can not see my pacemaker at all and can barely see my scar now. Mine was inplanted last May. Good luck and keep us posted!

pauses

by Tracey_E - 2010-02-09 08:02:28

As the others have said, pauses and passing out need to be dealt with. If you pass out while driving, the rest won't matter. There are some new pm's that are mri-compatible, and there are other alternatives to mri. Talk to your doctor about your alternatives for treating your other issues in the future, but there is only one way to fix heart pauses. There are no drugs that will fix it, it won't go away with time.

It absolutely will not affect your ability to have children. Several of us here had babies after we got our pm. I'm 43 and on my 4th pm. I have two children. I'm busy and active, most people have no idea I have a pm.

So Helpful

by lawyer - 2010-02-09 09:02:25

Thank you all so much for your insight. This is all very new to me and I was searching the internet without finding the kind of specific information I needed. You are all much appreciated. Also, could you please tell me how the implantation and recovery processes went for you?

Suggestion

by Island Girl - 2010-02-09 11:02:22

Just before I had my pacemaker inplanted, I got a complete work up which included MRI, Body Scan and many other tests in order to have a history of my physical condition before the pacemaker was implanted. At least you would know where you stand as of age 28 years old.

PM Implant ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-02-09 12:02:25

When I finally gave in and had the ablation/implant, my EP/cardio. Dr. did the implant, I stayed overnite in the Heart Hospital of Austin just for observation. I live alone and about 20 miles to the nearest ER.

I was in/out before I had time to think about any negative "stuff". The only thing, in my case, was I should have asked for some pain meds for the next couple of nights because the incision kind of hurt/"pulled" when I moved while sleeping. Other than that, my lil' energizer bunny is right under my skin right below the clavicle on my left side.

The main two things to remember are: Do NOT lift "stuff" NOR raise that arm above the heart for 6-8 weeks. This will protect your leads from the "bunny" to the heart.

In a few days/weeks, depending on the person, you may even forget the "energizer bunny" & try to do "stuff" too early because you are already feeling so much better.

Take care of your "ticker", your babies are going to need their Father as soon as they are born.

Let us hear from you, Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

placement

by Tracey_E - 2010-02-10 11:02:14

I didn't realize you hadn't had your surgery yet! Definitely talk to your dr about placement. The usual placement in on the upper left chest, just under the collarbone. They can do it subpectoral like nat36. Mine is submammary, put in from the side and buried behind the breast. They can also place it on the chest like usual but go a little lower and deeper so it's more out of the way. Burying it will increase recovery time a bit, but I've always felt it was well worth the extra bit of soreness for the long term comfort. I don't have a visible lump or scar, and it never gets in the way of things like seat belts and backpack straps.

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In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.