Got my pacemaker on 2/24/10

I still can't believe that it happened to me. I am an extremely healthy 53 year old woman, not on any meds, and have an otherwise healthy heart. About 2 weeks ago I felt a little lightheaded after walking my dog that passed quickly. A week later it happened again, but this time it didn't pass quickly. The next day I went to the doctor and had a normal EKG, but he did arrange for me to get heart monitor for 2 weeks.

On Saturday, Feb 20 I really did not feel well and took my pulse it was 37 and told my husband to call the doctor. I was told to go to the ER immediately. At the ER my pulse was 35, but my bp was normal (115/75). The doctors were convinced I had Lyme disease, even though I did not remember getting bitten by a tick, nor did I have any joint pain or fever.

I was initially admitted with 2nd degree heartblock, but when I was wheeled into the cardiac unit they decided that I was really in 3rd degree heartblock and moved me into the CTU for closer observation. That night I was extremely sick and the doctor saw me in the middle of the night and did an echocardiogram. I was on 10ml dopamine drip and an antibiotic in case I tested for lyme disease. The doctor said he did not want to give me pacemaker just to take it out a week later or give me a temporary one (can cause infection).

Miraculously, I bounced back Sunday afternoon and felt good on Monday as well (pulse was in the 60s and 70s). Doctors thought it was the antibiotic kicking in, but the infectious disease doctor said Itested negative for Lyme disease. Tuesday evening I was moved into the regular cardiac unit for monitoring (portable monitor) until the rest of my test results came in.

Wednesday morning (2/24) I thought I was feeling fine, until the doctor showed up and told me heart rate dropped into the 40s, but I felt fine. He wanted me to get an MRI to check the heart for any problems since he just got word that the rest of my test results were negative. Half an hour later the nurse ran in asking if I were all right telling me that my heart rate dropped again. I felt perfectly fine. Another half an hour later my husband arrived but this time, I felt a wave of warmth come over me as a team of nurses and doctors stormed into the room. My heart stopped for 5 seconds and the decision was made to immediately put in a pacemaker. I received my pacemaker on Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 and came home the next day.

As of today I guess I am ok with the pacemaker since it saved my life. What I can't fathom is, did I do anything to make this happen or just why this happened to me. My blood pressure is excellent, I eat healthy, and I have exercised my entire life. Will my quality of life decrease? I just did not expect this to happen to me at this stage in my life. I am grateful that I have a second chance at life and plan to live out the rest of my life to the fullest. I guess I am just scared at this point and have taken my pulse at least 20times a day since I came home. I just need support knowing that everything will be ok. Hopefully, I will find it here with others who have gone through the same thing.

13 Comments

Look Forward To Becoming of Age ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-02-27 03:02:07

I could not believe my GP said I had A-fib, when I thought that was a natural "flutter" in my chest. A slight cough on my part, got rid of the "flutter" for long lengths of times, as in days & months.

I could not understand why my EP/Cardiologist wanted me to have a PM implanted. I've had mine since 10/09.

When I asked my GP, he said AGE brings on "stuff". Also, if I had drank for long periods of time, like for years and if I had smoked a lot. Well, yes, I am "becoming of age", yes, I enjoyed my bourbon & Coke, but no, I did not smoke. So one/all gave me A-fib and a PM.

Now, from October '09 until February 27th, I have forgotten to take my pulse, forget I have the lil' energizer bunny, but I did invest in a good BP machine (approx. $60.00) recommended by the pharmacy manager. On this BP machine, it gives the BP of course, my pulse and my HR. Sometimes, it even gives me a lil' blinkin' heart at the bottom of the machine, which indicates
A-fib. Otherwise, "ain't" it great to be alive ~ ~

Go have fun and have a Great Life!
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

Pretty Common

by ccmoore - 2010-02-27 03:02:51

Your story sounds much like mine only I was 62. You did nothing to bring on the block. I really don't like that term because it sounds like a artery block when really in is an electrical block.

You have an electrical problem the electrical signal isn't getting to where is is suppose to go. This is one of the easiest problems for a PM to fix.

It may take a couple of PM checks to get the adjustments right and a few months to get use to meds, if any.

Your quality of life will not decrease as someone said on this site a couple of days ago, you got the PM so that your quality of life will increase. You can slow down on the pulse checking. I remember that after my PM was installed, every time I stumbled a little I would think oh I am going to faint, but that goes away with confidence in the PM.

Take care,
Later
Charlie

Me too

by Zia - 2010-02-27 04:02:30

I just go my PM on 24 Feb also. I'm 75 with what I thought was excellent health until my PCP noted I had brady down to 30s and sent me to the cardiologist who strongly recommended a PM. I was pretty reluctant because I felt fine, but friends and family including those on this site all said it could only get worse and best to get the PM now before things did get worse. I had to travel 200+ miles to the nearest facility and I'm now home again, still taking no meds but with a shore left shoulder from the incision. Hopefully some of you on the site will let me know what comes next other than a FU appointment in a week.

electrical problems

by Tracey_E - 2010-02-27 04:02:43

Poor lifestyle choices cause plumbing problems- clogged arteries, etc. Nothing you did or didn't do can cause or prevent electrical problems. Sometimes they just happen, sometimes they're caused by illness or medication. Think of it as the heart developing a short circuit.

You probably felt ok when you had those drops because you were in bed at the time. Had you been walking down steps or driving, you might have felt a little different.

There's no reason to think you won't live the rest of your life to the fullest. I sure do! I'm 43 now and on my 4th pm. I have kids (had them after the pm), run my own business, am a girl scout leader, work in dog rescue, work out, ski, hike, roller blade... I don't sit still much. I feel great.

Try to resist the urge to take your pulse all the time and trust your pm to do its job. Sometimes the settings need tweaked to get them just right for our needs, but the odds of a malfunction are miniscule. Focusing on it just prolongs how long it takes to get back to normal.

Thanks for your words...

by heartu - 2010-02-27 04:02:52

I am so happy that I found this site and such a great support group. I have resisted taking my pulse this afternoon.

After reading your comments I will follow your wonderful examples and just live my life to the fullest. I will consider my experience as just a tiny "blip" (no pun intended) in the scheme of things.

Thanks for your wisdom and support!

Larissa

PM

by cfritza - 2010-02-27 07:02:08

Hi heartu,

you are not alone so many of us took good care of ourselves and thought we were pretty darn healthy and then something like this happened. (mine paused for 8 sec. not a very good feeling)I am 48 and have run for years. It doesn't mean we aren't healthy just something doesn't work like it should with the electrical bit, I dont know how many times my hand would go up to my carotid pulse when I felt something weird with my heart and still does occassionally not as much though. It's kind of funny if you think about how many of us have done that manuever since getting our PM. I guess it's part of the initiation :-). Glad you found this site cuz it's great. Here's to a long full life!! Carol

reply to heartu

by LS - 2010-02-27 09:02:35

Your story sounds similar to mine, except I'm 56. LOl
It all came out of the blue Dec. 2. By Jan. 26th I had a pacemaker!
I wondered what I had done to bring this on too. I was told nothing, it had been there for years.
In November I had had a complete physical & to quote my Dr., "supberb" was how she saw everything. (blood work etc.)
Good luck to you!
Liz

Welcome heartu

by Hoosier - 2010-02-28 04:02:25

There's a load of great advice on this forum, we're all lucky that its here.

I too am still wrestling with the reality that I received a PM on 2-10-10, I'm a 54 yr old male that was a runner for 15+ yrs before a bad hip sidlined me in '06. I ran 3 full marathons between 10-04 and 11-05, ran over 1000 miles in '06 and the PM happened to me also.

We are just fortunate that the technolgy is here to make our lives better...and longer!

Welcome to the forum,
Terry

Very similar situation...

by pacy0320 - 2010-02-28 08:02:08

I have a very similar situation as you. I am healthy, eat right, exercise, sleep well. I had a pacemaker put in on 1/18/10 due to bradycardia and my heart stopping and restarting for five to six seconds at a time while I was asleep multiple times in one episode and also same when i fainted with the stopping and restarting. My heart rate was down in the 20s at times. I also had a weird issue of fainting in early mornings, usually after my shower.

I am 46 and plan on living the same life I was living, and THANKFUL......VERY VERY THANKFUL for the dr. who found my issue and also for this website. Although not all information is accurate as many have different opinions, it has been a tremendous help to me throughout my ordeal.

I feel so much better and never realized how badly I was feeling. I am confident you will do well and continue on as you had prior to your pacemaker.

Me too

by ElectricFrank - 2010-03-01 02:03:09

I developed a block at 74 which is a bit older than you are, but was in very good health at the time. I suddenly had my HR drop to 40 and then on down to 26 during the night before the implant. Being in good shape let me maintain on the low HR except for feeling lousy.

Now the good part. I had my pacemaker implanted only a few days after the block and walked out of the hospital a very healthy active person. The nice thing about an electrical block is that it is easily handled by the pacer and doesn't require a bunch of meds. Our natural atrial pacemaker handles the HR control and all the pacer does is make sure the ventricles get the message. Everything feels pretty much normal once the little jewel is adjusted and we get used to it.

Be thankful to live in the age of electronic gadgets. Without the pacer I'm sure I would be either dead or wish I was.

best,

frank

I feel the same way !

by pacy0320 - 2010-03-01 04:03:21

I too feel the same way as you. My second family and support group is here. No one understands, except those who are walking or walked that same road.

I went to EP/PM dr. today. All is working fine and to continue doing what I am doing until my April appt. Still have me wearing a sling at night on left arm as I am/was an arm over the head sleeper. So to be safe they have the sling when I sleep having to be on for 13 weeks. Reminded me to do no heavy lifting or stretching movements, nothing above head.

I can do the treadmill as long as I am comfortable. I go for a nuclear stress test tomorrow just to be sure 'plumbing' is ok. Dr. is trying to make sure all bases are covered. If all is ok I will be off of disability Wednesday and will be actively looking for employment. (My employer....a Dr. himself(I am embarrassed to say) ..eliminated my position last week...to be expected...no one is allowed to be ill, gets annoyed when you take your own vacation time off, he has done crap like this before, likely has done me a favor for once now!)

Chat soon...and hope you continue to improve each day!
Patty

Great Site

by qwerty - 2010-03-01 04:03:27

Welcome Heartu....
I agree with you... it is a great site and I find myself here at least once or twice a week to check on the friends here. Isn't it great to have people who truly understand.....

Thanks to all the pacemaker folks...

Cherell

I found my second family here!

by heartu - 2010-03-01 08:03:28

I find great comfort in reading your words and know that life will continue and that much will not change. Until I found this forum, I felt that no one (husband, friends, family) could or would understand what I am going through physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Woke up this bright and cheery Monday morning feeling pretty well. Got my daughter off to school and polished off some waffles with fresh strawberries. The muscle soreness is gone and now I will concentrate on getting the rest of my strength back. I took a couple of short strolls with my husband yesterday. Today I will go on the treadmill at a slow pace for a few minutes and see how I do. Can't wait to start doing my Pilates and yoga soon.

I will visit this forum at least once day as I believe I have found my second family and support group. Thank you all!

Larissa

You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

Member Quotes

My cardiologist is brilliant and after lots of trial and error got me running. I finished this years London Marathon in 3hrs 38 minutes.