permanent pacemaker at young age

Hi guys, im not yet implanted but soon to be... I'm 26 f with iddm with insulin pump, in addition i have HTN and IST. The cardiologists at hospital were affraid to give beta blockers because of the diabetes they tried verapamil on which i reached to icu 3 times with CAVB IN addition i now responded adveresley to clonidine again with hypotension and brady... Now they speaking about pacemaker with blockers due to my other risk factors to cardiomyopathy including the IST i wanted to ask you how you coping with the pacemaker at young age thank you in advance and take care and feel well

4 Comments

coping

by Tracey_E - 2010-07-22 11:07:02

26 is actually pretty average around here! We have members your age who have had them since childhood, we have teens, we have parents of babies, we have others like me who got them in our 20's and have worn out several by now. I got my first one at 27. I'm 43 now and doing great.

How to cope? For me, understanding was a big part of it. I learned everything I could about pm's and my condition. This was before the internet but my doc and St Judes rep were great about explaining things to me. Once I understood how it would help me, it was a lot easier to accept. And once I started feeling better, I gradually just forgot I had it. I really don't give it a thought now most of the time. It slows me down a bit at the airport, I get it checked once every three months and I've had 4 replacements. The rest of the time, I just get on with my life.

We're glad you found us! If you have questions or just want to chat, we're here.

Feeling Better!

by cbuys - 2010-07-22 11:07:20

I received my first pacemaker 6 weeks ago tomorrow as a result of frequent fainting (3 times a week) due to Sick Sinus Syndrome. I’m seventeen and heading to college this fall, something that a few months ago I never thought would be able to happen. I feel so much better with the pacemaker, even though I am still working out the kinks with settings and medication. I haven’t passed out since receiving the pacemaker, so life is looking up!
My cardiologist said that I was only the fourth person under 18 in his 25 years of experience that he has seen get a pacemaker, so while pacemakers are much less common in young people, they still exist.
My advice for you is to get all the information you can from various sources: online, doctors ,etc. Ask any questions you have no matter how trivial they seem. And find a doctor who you trust.
Keep your spirits up! Good luck and feel better!

Since 7

by Beckes76 - 2010-07-22 12:07:36

I am now 33 and I am on my 4th one. It been easier as I have gotten older to tell people about my PM. Since I joined this club I have met a lot of people who have them at a younger age then I did. Which is a relief to me. I thought I was a rare exception all of these years. I didn't find this club until last year. Good luck with everything. If you have any questions feel free to ask on here at any time and sure somebody will answer your questions and concerns.

Becky

thank you very very much

by yael1984 - 2010-08-15 05:08:07

for your kind support :))

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.