Just a Hi!
To All:
Had my ICD placed on 11/8, home on the 11th. Trying to figure out what my life will be like now. My sister, bless her heart, found this site for me while I was in the hospital. She said so many of the questions I had were answered here, and that yes, Cheryl, there is life after a pacemaker. I guess I just want some reassurance that I will get past the anxiety about this "thing" in my chest, and what if it doesn't work right, and how will my life change. My husband isn't trying to understand why all of a sudden I start crying for no reason, and he just can't fix it. Every day, though, seems to be getting better.
Thanks to all who have given me some comfort since I've been reading the posts.
Cheryl B
5 Comments
New Pacemaker
by SMITTY - 2010-11-27 07:11:38
Hello Cheryl B,
Welcome to the Pacemaker Club.
Absolutely there is life after a pacemaker. You have already proved that. You got a pacemaker and you are still with us. I know, I know, that is a sick attempt at a joke, but the main difference in life after a pacemaker from life before you got it is that you will have a better life and that is no joke.
First of all, if I can make one suggestion it would be to not let that pacemaker control your life. If you are like 99.99% of us all that pacemaker is for is to help your heart's natural pacemaker. And that tells the entire story.
That little pacemaker sits there just watching your natural heart function and steps in as needed. You do not have to worry, or be concerned about what and when it is doling what. As soon the soreness from my implant stopped paying it any attention.
I think the important thing is to realize is that pacemaker
is not what is making your heart beat all the time, it nothing more than a helper for your heart when your heart needs a little help.
Before I go further what I saying based on my guess you got a pacemaker because your heart rate was low and you had what is known as bradycardia cause by sinus noe syndrome or sinus node dysfunction which means a heart rate less than 60, some of the times, or like in my case all of the time.
If you got your for 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block. Don't let the words "heart block" sound frightening. I know of two reasons the word "block" is used when describing heart disease. One is there is a blockage in an artery, which is usually corrected by surgery. The other is a blockage interfering with the electrical impulse from you heart's natural pacemaker which makes your heart beat. So while the word block or blockage is used in both cases there is really no connection between them. The one that interferes with your heart beating is the one we talk about with pacemakers.
When impulses by the heart's natural pacemaker are not generated as fast as we need we have a slow heart rate and we get a pacemaker. A pacemaker is nothing more than a sophisticated little computer. It is implanted in our chest, usually under the left collar bone and from it two wires, called leads are threaded through a vein into the hearts chambers.
Those leads have two purposes. One is to monitor our heart function and this information is sent back to the pacemaker. From this the PM knows if the heart needs an assist with a beat or two, or three, or whatever number is required. That PM will send the help needed to which ever chamber, or even both chambers if needed, to give us a steady heart rhythm. All of this takes place without our even knowing anything is going on. So, you should not feel the pacemaker doing anything as all it is trying to do is mimic your heart's natural pacemaker as closely as possible.
Our pacemaker has two main settings. One is a low setting and one is a high setting. The low set point is the point which you pacemaker will not let your heart rate go below. If that starts to happen, the pacemaker kick in and works as necessary to keep your heart at pr above that low set point. The upper set point is the point where the PM will in effect quit trying to help you heart beat, but it does continue to monitor your heart function so if your heart needs its help it is ready to step in.
Now that is the way things are supposed to work based
on the settings given your pacemaker and most of the time they do. However, a pacemaker has literally thousands of settings combinations. The one you left the hospital with were your doctor's best guess based on his knowledge of your problem while it rarely happens there are times when we have to have those settings adjusted. This is done with a pacemaker checkup which is very much like getting an EKG, and the necessary settings changes are made.
There are very few things that can interfere with its operation. Should you encounter one of them it will feel like a one, two or three skipped heart beats? Should that happen, as soon as you move away from the interfering object your pacemaker will return to its normal operation and no harm will have been done to your heart or the pacemaker.
With that I will stop and wish you the very best on your new venture.
Smitty
Effect of having ICD or Pacemaker
by ElectricFrank - 2010-11-27 08:11:49
First off, the pacemaker/ICD technology is very reliable these days. Look at it this way, if you fly airlines you are relying on a bunch of electronic computer equipment to keep that jet in the air, yet folks don't get all torn up over having to fly.
As for the effect on your life, it is really a matter of why you needed the ICD in the first place. There are are such a wide variety of cardiac conditions where a pacemaker is used. The outcome of having the pacer/ICD is nearly always better than without it. In my case without the pacer my heart rate drops to about 35. With it I have normal response to exercise and other activities. We all (with or without pacers) live with the possibility of sudden death. The pacer just helps us cheat the odds!
So enjoy the little beast. It is friendly and has your best interest at heart (literally).
frank
Had those same feelings
by nm - 2010-11-28 10:11:59
Hi Cheryl
I went through a rough time after my pacemaker was inplanted on 4/5/10. I was very emotional, too. I was crying at the drop of a hat. My pacemaker site drove me crazy but it was more the emotional thing for me. It took me about 4 months before I did not notice my pacemaker but everyone is different. Once in a while it seems to itch but other than that I am unaware that it is even there. I am just so very glad that I have it. It will get better soon.
Take care and enjoy every day.
Me too!
by #1grandma - 2010-11-28 12:11:09
Hi Cheryl,
I had and still have the exact same feelings as nm! I had my PM surgery the 12th of October and I am feeling much better. Infact, most of the time I feel wonderful and not even aware that I have my PM. I still have some crying spells. They usually last a few hours and then I'm ready to go again! I love my PM and wish I had it a long time ago.
Take care,
Sally
You know you're wired when...
Friends call you the bionic woman.
Member Quotes
Sometimes a device must be tuned a few times before it is right. My cardiologist said it is like fine tuning a car.
nice to see you
by marsupial - 2010-11-27 06:11:13
Welocme I am also new hear, I'm in Washington state
Michael