Trying to cope with all this
I don't feel that I'm coping very well with having a pacemaker. I have only had it since 09/09/10. I was bummed out when I saw how visible it was to me when I looked in the mirror. My sister-in-law has one and you can't even tell other than the scar.
Once in a while I feel my heart twitch, kind of like the feeling one would get if they are just starting to fall asleep and they twitch. (My heart will do that) Is that normal?? Sometimes I also feel like I'm falling. Right after I had mine put in I was also very emotional. Just feeling a little down. I am going for a CT Head angiogram tomorrow, because I am still having really bad headaches and dizziness. Does any of this ever settle down, to where you feel normal?
57 year old Male.
6 Comments
Hang in there !
by lahbigbro6 - 2010-09-29 04:09:59
The more you think about it, the crazier you'll be. Relax, my pacemaker has been in 8 years and I don't even know I have it sometimes...My pacemaker is raised on my chest because I am very thin up top, no big deal. Sometimes I show my pacemaker to people when I mention I have one. Hang in there, its not too bad. Support is here !
Coping
by Pookie - 2010-09-29 10:09:34
Hi.
It's quite normal to be emotional, stressed, or even depressed after having any type of procedure done to our hearts. It just takes time to get your head wrapped around what you have just experienced. Some of us even have sought counselling or therapy to talk about it. It's my opinion, but we all need support after any kind of surgery. Also, another trick is to keep busy, keep your mind occupied with other things.
If the emotional stuff doesn't go away, then please talk to your doctor about it. There are numerous members that take Ativan or Xanax or a mild anti-stressor med just to help us get over the intial shock of accepting we have a device in our chests now.
You will be okay. We all heal at different speeds. Surround yourself with supportive people.
Your scar and lump, both should fade in time.
Good luck with your CT/angiogram tomorrow.
The headaches and dizziness...just curious...did they start before or after your pacemaker?
Take care,
Pookie
jrj
by walkerd - 2010-09-30 07:09:41
your mind can play all kind of tricks on you, it will take a few months to get over it, well most of it. I had emergency bypass on Aug 1,2008, pm/defib insertion Sept 2008. It took awhile to get over these and I felt all kinds of things that freaked me out. I came on here alot typed and got answers and made alot of friends who helped me get thru it. you will to putting it down in words on here helps trust me. Ask, vent, anything type it. we are here for you.
had mine at 51
dave
It gets better!!
by JoFosqk226 - 2010-09-30 10:09:45
I'm sorry that you are feeling this way, but it will pass! I am 22 years old, and I had an emergency implant with my ICD when I was 17, the middle of my senior year of high school. I have a large scar (because of the type of skin I have, it spreads) and I am a very thin girl, so the ICD sticks out a large amount! It was difficult to be young and have the pacer, but I finally came to realize that with out by ICD I wouldn't be alive. It's not fun to have one, but just remember that it is keeping you here for you and your family, giving you a better quality of life. As for feeling ill, I also felt dizzy and had random headaches for about 4 months after my first implant and my first lead replacement. Though it was a pain, it went away with time. Keep posting! The people on this site are wonderful and it makes great support if you are having a hard time coping. Best of luck!
Jodie Ann
And yet another 57 year old female
by Hot Heart - 2010-10-01 04:10:52
I'm almost 2 years post implant, too complicated what happened to me to go into again, but you can see if you look at my early posts.
I feel absolutely fantastic now, I was so depressed for the first 12 months.
I do hope you can come to terms with this, it's not such a big deal you know, and, come on here, its a scar, does it really matter in the scheme of things???
Stay strong
HH
You know you're wired when...
Your device makes you win at the slot machines.
Member Quotes
It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.
Yes!!!
by LS - 2010-09-29 03:09:46
It does settle down! Those crappy, emotional feelings will go away! Well, at least they did for this 57 year old female. LOL
I've had mine 8 months now. I was an emotional wreck. It also took a good 4-5 months for me to feel good with the medications. Guess they leveled out.
I'm also amazed at how the site swelling (bump area) continues to go down!
Hang in there, it does get better!!
Liz