can some1 give me some advice plz

my mums just been told at 64 she needs a pacemaker,for the last 7 weeks she was getting really breathless. This has come as a massive shock to me and am so scared for her,will she get back to her old self after the op and because she needs one will it shorten her life expectancy.

8 Comments

You've come to the right place

by SaraTB - 2011-03-07 10:03:47

Hi Cazz - firstly, please understand that a pacemaker will help your mother, which is why the doctor is proposing it. A pacemaker simply regulates the heart rate, allowing her to get oxygen around her body efficiently. It seems she is having some kind of arrythmia, which is making it difficult for her, and making her breathless.

Pacemakers are really pretty common these days - I've had one since I was 42 (51 now) and many people here at the Club are much, much younger.

A pacemaker should in no way shorten her life, and should in fact help her feel as normal as possible. Has her doctor told her what the exact cause of her problem is? There are different kinds of arrythmia, and members here will be able to give you more information and reassurance if they know what your mum's problem is.

You've come to the right place for information: this is a very supportive group, who have all been through the same initial shock and anxiety. Please don't hesitate to ask more questions as they arise. I'm sure other members will add to this post on your first question over the next day or two.

Stay calm for your mum, if you can, and let her know we'll all welcome her to the world of Pacemakers.

Best wishes
Sara

Pacemaker at 80

by ElectricFrank - 2011-03-08 02:03:14

I have a pacemaker at 80 yrs and am very active. If I didn't have it I likely wouldn't be here.

She will likely get back to her old self unless she has developed some new heart problem.

best wishes,

frank

Pacemaker at 93

by sunhill - 2011-03-08 04:03:02

My mother is now 94. She got a PM last year. The operation was easy. Se is much better now.

Hi Cazz

by Hot Heart - 2011-03-08 05:03:50

Welcome to the club, let us know how your mum gets on. Nooooooo it shouldnt shorten her life, it should help prolong it and make her have a much better quality of life. Just think of it as a bit of a kick stepping in for her when her own heart is a bit slow and groggy. You will probably find that she has more energy, is more alert, and perhaps able to do things that she has been finding difficult for a while.

Send her our best wishes.

HH

Pacemaker

by drashmore - 2011-03-08 06:03:07

Is she on any meds? They can cause shortness of breath.

:)

by cazz1 - 2011-03-09 11:03:08

Thanks for all the positive comments they mean a lot to me and are helping me get my head round it x

thanks every1 it means a lot to me getting

by cazz1 - 2011-03-09 11:03:48

She has the hospital on monday for another heart scan and to speak to the doctor about surgery,am going with her so will find out the exact cause of why she needs one,they told her a few days ago when she was at hospital she would need one cos of her shortness of breath and her slow heart rate,shes been feeling this way for about 7 weeks and the doctor said shes most likely had a heart attack, shes had to wear a moniter for a few days to keep track of her heart rate she handed that into the hospital yesterday,shes never smoked in her life and has always been fit i just dont understand why this has hapened,does any1 know how long it takes before they get you in for the surgery cos i hate seeing her like this,am really struggling with it,its came as a massive shock to me. I will let yous know what happens on monday.

Welcome

by qwerty - 2011-03-10 05:03:43

Just another welcome and hope your mom feels better soon. I am 60 and have had my PM for about a year. I was surprised by the need for this, but after I got it, I was pleasantly surprised that I felt better and my thoughts were much clearer. I think it is because my whole body was not getting the blood circulation that it needs to be healthy thanks to the PM

Let us know how she is doing

qwerty

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