Anxiety.......grrrrrrrrrr
I had my pacemaker implanted just bout 9 days ago and the assciated anxiety that runs thru your mind is so hard. When I read many of the posts here I see a variety of thoughts on their doctors, how they feel good or bad, how they can lift weights or not and so on and so on. I feel like running and running and running to disapate the unknowns of what is to come. I tried so hard all my life to eat healthy, think healthy, and exersize and stay in top shape and then I am told I have LBBB and complete heart block......Now I have a pacemaker that they say takes care of all those issues and not to worry.......or is this their way of pacifying.......grrrrrrr.......sorry but as strong as I thought I was, I guess in reality I am a wimp.........sorry........no need to reply......I will make it sooner or later........Thanks to all for just being here for each other.
BillyD
8 Comments
Anxiety
by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-10-24 11:10:58
Hi Billy,
I was surprised also with the level of anxiety I had after my dual lead implant 2/10. I went in thinking no big deal. But it did impact me a lot until I was able to get back to my normal routine including exercise. I'm sur you have read several post regarding needing adjustments especially for those of is that exercise on a regular basis. That was the most frustrating part for me was getting my settings to meet my needs.
Good luck in your continued recovery and try to get back to your normal activity as soon as you are ready.
Take care,
Heidi
I understand
by dad4dds - 2010-10-25 01:10:10
I was paced 10/09. I am still not back to were I was. Don't give up. You are not a wimp. You worked hard to stay in shape. You may not have made it through this if you did not. Thnk of it that way.
Take Care Brian
Antioch, Ca
taking care of yourself
by Tracey_E - 2010-10-25 08:10:47
Eating right and exercising, those prevent plumbing problems. We have electrical problems, and there's absolutely nothing we could have done to prevent it. We have a short circuit and the pm wires around it, it truly is a simple fix.
There's no reason why you can't start walking now. Wait a bit longer for anything heavy like running, but some fresh air and exercise can do wonders for your mood. Being otherwise healthy means we bounce back that much faster and feel that much better once we heal. There really is a light at the end of the tunnel! You're not a wimpy, we all have wimpy moments. Give it some more time to heal and for you to adjust. Most of us get back to being healthy and active and can for the most part forget we even have the pm.
Billy
by LS - 2010-10-25 09:10:39
The problem's a PM fixes are the electrical part. Mine came as a total shock to me also. (9 months tomorrow) I've experienced the anxiety, the shock, the sadness also. It does get better. I always say it's an easy heal physically from the PM surgery, but the emotional part takes some time.
We can spend hours & hours worrying about the "what if's & the unknown's" only to realize we've missed all the good stuff. Get out & walk and enjoy the fall days.
Liz
Attitude
by talldave - 2010-10-25 10:10:13
Billy, I certainly know how you feel. I have my pm installed 2 months ago at the ripe old age of 32. Up until this year I never had any serious health problems and I am staying in pretty good shape, so it's been quite a hammer blow. It didnt help either that the pm booklet I received had a 70yr old on it...
However, now after 2 months I am almost back to normal and I started jogging again just a few weeks after the surgery. Once in a while I get slight panic attacks, but I learned how to cope with them. I found the book "When Panic Attacks" by David Burns really helpful (I listened to the audio version). You will never get back to being really normal and healthy, but that should not stop you from living a normal life and doing most activities you have done before unless you have been a professional boxer. :-)
The most helpful thing to me was to talk to someone who had been through similar experiences. I talked to a friend who had a heart attack. Although it is a completely different sickness, he also had some anxiety issues and overcame them eventually. Hope this helps.
Thanks to everyone that responded to me
by BillyD - 2010-10-25 10:10:30
All your comments give me hope that all will be fine.........You are all good people and to take the time to comment on my concerns is beautiful to me........thanks thanks and more thanks...........
BillyD
feeling the same
by 6efrau - 2010-10-25 12:10:32
BillyD, I feel just as you. So frustrated. In my mind I want so badly to get up and go and do all the things I used to do, but physically cannot at this point. It's been 4 weeks today since my PM surgery. The doctor said it would be a good 3 months of having more bad days vs. good days. I keep coming to this sight in hopes of finding answers to all my worries, but so far I am not finding them.
Thanks for your reply regarding my exercise routine. My family and friends do not seem to understand why I cannot simply resume life as it was already which makes things even more difficult.
You know you're wired when...
You trust technology more than your heart.
Member Quotes
Think positive and go out and take on the world.
I totally understand, BillyD
by Meema417 - 2010-10-24 11:10:10
Bless your heart! I've "been there and am still doing that! I too tried to live the healthiest life possible and my bradycardia went into complete electrical block, so I showed up 1 day early for my pacemaker, via ambulance! I am still working through the emotions; especially anxiety. I decided that when a person, in the instant of that diagnosis; loses their health, job, peace of mind and future plans, it is very much like the death of someone close to you. I realized I needed to go through the steps of grieving, to get myself over this. I allowed myself to admit that I was mad as h*** that this happened to me. I cried privately in the shower and I believe I have entered the acceptance stage; things still aren't great with my heart. It sounds as if I have a partial blockage & will need a heart cath. I just want to get it over with and get better! You are not a wimp; you are a human being who is trying to adjust to your whole life being changed. BTW, I still deal with anxiety. The mental aspect of dealing with this is still the hardest hurdle to clear, for me. I walk, bike, pray, meditate, do gentle exercises, do relaxation breathing and anything else I've ever read to reduce stress. Every time I feel worried, I say a pray for each and every person registered on this web site. I said one today while walking back from the post office--you were included, BillyD. You don't always have to be strong. Give in to your fear and allow yourself to cry; you'll feel a lot better if you get that emotion out of you. Your "heart is broken" is more ways than one. It can't be good to keep that sorrow all bottled up, tight in your chest. I'll keep checking back on you, ok? Hang in there. It will get better--although I was terminated from my job because of the pacemaker; I'm trying to get my health back before I figure out what to do next with my life.