Worried about surgery

I am scheduled for a pacemaker. I have a fast rhythm in one chamber and too slow in the other. I feel great, have no symptoms except maybe a little dizziness occasionally (none since last Feb) I am just so up tight about having this done as I don’t have symptoms. My ekg and monitor, which I wore for 24 hours, showed my heart stopped for 3 seconds several times. Have any of you had this done when you had no symptoms, not tired or passing out. Also they told me I probably need to go on coumadin which I am really not wanting to do. Will appreciate any input.

3 Comments

second opinion

by Tracey_E - 2010-10-25 10:10:34

Have you had a second opinion? Three second pauses is definitely something to be concerned about and keep an eye on, but it's right at the border of where they'd require a pm so a more conservative dr might want to wait and just watch.

That said, if your heart is beating out of sync and your rate is not going up normally with activity, even though you don't have symptoms and may be able to get by putting off the pm for a while, it's hard on your body and you will likely find you feel better with the pm. I was born with my problem and always knew I'd eventually My symptoms came on so gradually that I had no idea how bad I felt until I got the pm and felt better- more energy, not so tired, lots of little health problems went away. I was waiting to get the pm, procrastinating you could say lol, and I waited so long that I almost died and ended up in emergency surgery. My personal feeling is I wish my dr had pushed me to do it sooner because when things went downhill, it happened quickly and I had no idea I was in danger. We're all different, that's just my experience, but I feel that since I was going to get it eventually anyway, waiting was stupid, and ultimately dangerous.

Why put you on the coumadin? Just having a pm is not a reason to be on it. There are a very few drs who want us on blood thinners but most do not. If you have afib, they will want you on a beta blocker to slow it down, that's not usually negotiable because of the risk of stroke, but simply having a pm is not generally a reason to be on blood thinners. I think I'd get another opinion before going through with the surgery. Good luck!

Coumadin??

by donb - 2010-10-25 11:10:20

Hi, I just want to go along with Tracey in every one of her thoughts & questions. In my case it was questionable if I needed a PM as I was mostly in 1st degree electrical block. Physically I didn't realize at age 60 how much stamina one should have, old age you know!! Well now it's 18 years of PMs' and am as active at 78 than before my PM days. Also my medication has been beta blocker, aspirin, & Plavix which is kinda standard. My real concern would really be, Why coumadin? Maybe your Cardiologist takes the attitude, "Trust me, what you don't know won't hurt you". That is what my Dr. thinks, I'm sure, as he called me a wimp when I didn't want all the antibiotics before my last replacement PM. Guess we all would like you to post what & why about your medication.
And, a PM will give you energetic years as it has for so many of us. donb

Reply

by Kelliefan - 2010-10-26 01:10:07

Thanks so much for your input. It helps me make up my mind to have the surgery. My Dr. Said I might need the coumadin after pm for the fast heart beat. Maybe I feel bad and don't know it. I really appreciate your help.

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.