Pacemaker with No Boundaries!

I read a lot of the comments on here posted with people with PM's, most of them are somewhat negative. I am here to provide only positive PM comments!

I have had my PM for a year, I am 69 and also recently had a spinal implant operation for stenosis as well and I am slowly becoming another bionic man.

All I can say is that I was a triathlete for 20 years and developed A-fib when I was 65. The PM implant was to suppress the A-fib occurrences and it has mitigated them considerably. I have a St Jude Algorithmic PM 2210 implanted.

I do everything that I did previously before the implant, yes it was sore for awhile but life goes on. I now swim, bike, walk, and jog weekly as well as workout in a gym at age 69.

My PM is set with a low limit of 60 and a high limit of 125 BPM. My only limitation is that I can't do triathlons anymore because my PM is tapped out at 125 BPM when running fast and I run out of gas (Heartbeats).

I seldom ever think about having a PM except when I am checked by my Cardio team every 6 months.

There is a great life for each of you after a PM implant after all it beats the alternative? Please look on the positive side!

My recommendations are: Be positive, accept the PM as being part of your anatomy now and move on, try not to dwell on it, avoid cage fighting and roller derby's if possible and enjoy your after life with a pacemaker! After all, It could save your life by stopping a bullet?

Believe me there a lot worse things that can happen to you than getting a pacemaker, it's no big deal anymore!

Hope I helped someone today feel better and look ahead to good times!?

Regards Malltura, An Old Jock Living in and Enjoying Myrtle Beach, SC

13 Comments

Sarcasim By Cagb Patch

by Malltura - 2011-08-17 08:08:25

From Malltura to; CABGH PATCH: Yes your comments are exactly what I wrote about: Negativity and cynicism abounds here! Why don't you provide something useful to others rather than the sarcastic dribble you provided on my posting!

:)

by Pookie - 2011-08-17 10:08:16

Hi Malltura:)

Just a friendly reminder but this site is for both positive and what you refer to as negative posts. This site is mainly made up of members who are new, scared, anxious or have had their devices implanted and don't feel as well as their doctors promised. Unfortunately, not all people who get a pacemaker or defib (or the combo unit) feel better after surgery, matter of fact, it is well documented that in a lot of cases where some people feel worse. I was one of them:(

And there are a lot of "positive" posts on here. I know, because I read each & every one of them since early 2005. Members who finally feel good occasionally do write in and let us know, which is great news to share with us as it gives us all hope.

I do appreciate your post Malltura; as it is nice to hear that you are doing so well. I truly mean that. I am so happy for you.

Yes, I agree with you that there are some members who get stuck mentally thinking that their device is a hindrance rather than accepting it is there to help them, I was VERY guilty of that for the first couple of years. I was very nervous and even had full blown panic attacks for the first 2 yrs, but with time and when the docs finally fixed my settings to my needs (which took them almost 6 freaken yrs) it was only then that I "got my life back" and I totally forgot I had a pacemaker and started to live again.

So, I think it's a very personal situation (case by case) as we all handle things differently.

But again, there are positive posts as well and they are always nice to read. Thanks for sharing yours.

Take care,
Pookie (Moderator)

I agree with your + post.

by janetinak - 2011-08-17 10:08:42

I have had a good outcome also. Am aware that not evrybody does but its good to know that many of us do. I think that this is the place to come to ask for help & that may make it appear that more people have problems than actually do. At least I sure hope so.

Janet

You...

by donr - 2011-08-17 10:08:51

...have not read enough. Most folks here do manage to eventually get a handle on their issues post PM. Issues that are very real.

Negativity - Yep! But from a lot of folks who are having problems. They come here to get answers. So - about half the ORIGINAL posts will probably be negative.

Sometimes a bit of sarcasm is necessary to address the issue presented. Sometimes a good cyber-slap in the face. Sometimes a rather blunt comment to jerk someone up by their bootstraps.

Looks like you got some of each!

Don

I agree...

by golden_snitch - 2011-08-18 03:08:57

Hi!

It's great to hear you are doing so well, but I agree with the others. I mean, most people go searching for support when they have a problem with the pacer or a difficult time coping, so a lot of posts here are "negative". If everyone would do as well as you are doing, we'd probably not have this forum. If I had never had any problems with the pacer and could have resumed to the activities I did before, I'd probably never looked for a place like this.

When you look at some people's first posts, and then at what they are writing today, how they are helping others and how well they have learned to cope or got a problem sorted out because of all the support, it's really great. That's what this forum is for. And stories like yours help as much as the "negative" stories do.

Also, you have been lucky not to experience any pacer problems. I needed six pacer surgeries in 11 years, and I'm only 30. And because I need the pacer's rate response all the time, I see the limitations with regards to exercising probably much more often than you. Unlike you, I cannot play the sports I did before I got the pm any longer. I loved team sports, but with the pacer's rate response I cannot keep up with the others any more.

Still, life is beautiful and I'm certainly much better off with the pacer than without! But I do very well understand those who come here with pacer problems or who have a difficult time coping - been there, done that. Good for you, if you haven't been there. Be thankful for that rather than complain about "negativity" here.

Best
Inga



My 2 cents

by cazzbeth - 2011-08-18 07:08:09

HI

I write this to say as I was a new PM member recently I had no where to go for support - except this site. I dont know anybody with a PM and once out the Dr's office you are on your own. I was scared beyond belief. One day I was just doing my thing and the next day I was in the Resus room at the Royal Adelaide Hospital telling me I needed a PM to save my life. So I really didnt have time to adjust and understand what was going on. Not trying to be negative at all but I just needed help from anyone, to know what my life was going to be like from now on. The people that helped me where my only comfort I lived with huge amounts of anxiety for a good two weeks. I thank everyone on here that helped me get through this - You guys rock!!

It turns out I am doing fantastically. Went to my doctors today and he said I am doing excellently. My pains I have I am beginning to understand so dont worry as much and I went back to the gym today to walk on the treadmill which give me an incredible sense of security that I AM on the mend.

I need to point out that this site helps people get over this very stressful event in their lives these issues are real for all of us and the need to feel ok to ask about issues is really important in recovery.

Thankyou

Caroline

now who is negative?

by kathykat11 - 2011-08-18 07:08:22

People outside our site do care for and about each other, I have been on borrowed time for years and some of the time I borrowed has not been the best. But at least I am here and able to gripe about the bad days. Being positive about negative things seems like a mind game to me. I don't do games. Kind of like my friend saying think don't feel.... like I have a choice!!! She is working with a relatively normal brain, I on the other hand have had several strokes and if I am upset all that gets through are feelings, I am extremely pleased if a coherent thought sneaks through. If things are going smoothly you won't find a more reasonable rational person but make me angry and my thoughts and even my coodination fall apart. Don't get me wrong. I am happy to be here but a PollyAnna I am not.
Best wishes always,
Kathykat11

my view,

by sue uk - 2011-08-18 08:08:25

Everyone is different some cope,some dont. I am a very optimistic person & l am grateful for that but when someone is scared about whats going on with their health it does not mean they are negative !!!
l have found this site a HUGE help & l have discovered more here than in any doctors surgery,l have not had any major problems & those that l have l have sought advice from my fellow pacers,who have helped me to understand what is going on but not once has anyone said anything negative.
As l said some folk are scared (understandably) & some have not been as fortunate as yourself with their outcome,but that should'nt be confused with negativity!

I agree with Heidi

by kathykat11 - 2011-08-18 08:08:29

I have done more than my share of griping on this site and CabbagePatch's sarcastic and irreverant humor helped me to get over myself. The amount of negativity on this site at least initially is because people are coming here for answers they couldn't find elsewhere, having been in customer service for years I know that people rarely write or call in with positive experiences so the ratio of negative to positive is skewed in this site. Some of the people here are so positive that I feel like a slacker for my limitations some days, then I remember that we are all different and I have to work with what I was given. CabbagePatch, Pookie, ElectricFrank and Tracy E have all been sources of encouragement and enlightenment to many of us, and hearing the negative comments of others have helped me realize that no matter how bad I feel some days someone out there is feeling worse, it is all relative.
Continued good luck to you.
Kathykat11

Thanks for all the comments to my posting

by Malltura - 2011-08-18 10:08:36

I have read all of your inputs to my original Malltura posting and I appreciate them.

I feel that it is very important to be positive with a PM and live the very best life that you are able to under your or each persons unique circumstances.

There is a lot of information to be shared and learned here about PM's. I guess I just have a different perspective of life as a Vietnam Veteran having been living on borrowed time since 1968. I consider every day a gift to be cherished and taken advantage of regardless of my shortcomings health wise.

I just know that you will live a lot longer and happier life if you are positive rather than negative! Outside this forum people could care less if you have a PM implanted, or if you have limitations, as they have their own problems.

Happy Trails to All!

Malltura in Myrtle Beach Living the Good Life at 69!

Advice..

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2011-08-18 12:08:26

To Malltura, maybe a PM to CP would have been more constructive if you have an issue with the content of his postings. Personally I have found his comments to be very supportive and informative over the last year and many times had a good laugh!

I agree, it is important for members to share more of their personal success however, as previously stated, many come for medical questions/advice and value the experience and opinions of others. Sure, depending on the reason for needing a PM/ICD, many do return to their lifestyle pre-pm. Many do not and need a support system such as our group.

This is a diverse group and I believe individual differences should be valued and respected.

Just my opinion :)

How did your PM influence your A-fib?

by otbergo - 2011-08-19 02:08:33

I also had A-fib occasionally before I had a PM installed, by the end of 2009. But my A-fib increased, and my docter said it was no way my PM (Medtronic) could prevent the A-fib from occuring. Therefore, I've been taking care with my training sessions. What's your experience?

In Reply to otbergo from Malltura

by Malltura - 2011-08-19 11:08:04

How did your PM influence your A-fib?
Comment posted by otbergo on 2011-08-19 02:40.
I also had A-fib occasionally before I had a PM installed, by the end of 2009. But my A-fib increased, and my docter said it was no way my PM (Medtronic) could prevent the A-fib from occuring. Therefore, I've been taking care with my training sessions. What's your experience?

I had P-A-fib for 3 years before the PM was implanted. I was on a monitor for 30 days and they said my meds Sotalol were making my heart beat too slow.

So the implant with an algorithm was to mitigate the A-fib and keep my heart beating between 60 and 120 which it has. My A-fib when it does occur is about once a month now.

My A-fib is hardly noticeable when it occurs because the PM senses the heart is out of sinc and overbeats it at about 80 beats until it subsides. No, a PM will not prevent A-fib, but it lessens the effect considerably! I am a candidate for an ablation next year, but i am content with the status quo currently with the PM.

My PM is a computerized instrument designed to minimize the effects of A-fib, not prevent it.

When I go in for a reading on my PM they show numerous out of sinc events monthly that I never feel? I only notice the long lasting ones over a few hours?

In my case since the PM implant the A-fib events have been mostly unnoticed and less frequent. when I have one I feel, I just don't do major exercise like swimming or weight training, I just chill till it goes away. That's how I cope: for more info contact me at malltura@earthlink.net

regards Jim Malloch Myrtle beach aka Malltura

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I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.