New to site

Wow, very informative site. I am 33 yrs old have Sinus Node Dysfunction. I am scheduled to get my pm Aug. 17. I am anxious because the dizziness that triggered me getting checked out in the first place, although it is everyday, is not always that "bad" if you will. I am worried that maybe the dizziness will not go away and that is really the issue I am having. The low heart rate (as low as 20's and 30's) doesn't seem to bother me in any other way.

I am an exercise junkie and run half marathons so I feel great most of the time (sans dizziness) and have a lot of energy to chase after/play with my 2 kids 5 and 3 yrs old. Anyone else out there as young and active as me? Did the pace maker make you more energetic? Or just less dizzy? I don't feel like I need anymore energy otherwise I may be almost annoying to the people around me because I am so energetic already.

Also, how long before I can drive after my pm is implanted?

Thank you all for any help with these questions. This site has really helped to ease a lot of my other anxieties about getting this pm.

6 Comments

SND

by Davey5 - 2011-08-15 03:08:00

Sinus Node Dysfunction is a condition whereby for various reasons your sinus node (your heart's own natural pacemaker) isn't working correctly and the main manifestation of this is a very slow heart rate, bradycardia.
I would stingily suggest that your dizziness is definitely cause by your periods of bradycardia and that essentially your dizziness is a result of your heart not being able to pump enough blood to your brain.
When you have the pacemaker fitted it will be programmed to "kick in" when your heart slows down to a certain rate and then pace at a rate suitable for you so this should stop all episodes of dizziness caused by your bradycardia.
There are plenty of young people and children out there with pacemakers who are leading perfectly normal and active lives and although the pacemaker won't make you feel more energetic per se, it will stop the symptoms you're having.
As for driving, generally I would say a day or two but that's for the UK where the seatbelt goes over the right shoulder! I would ask your physician or nurse when you have it done as each hospital may have their own guidelines to follow.

Dave

Hey Devon

by ABelle - 2011-08-15 03:08:19

Hey Devon,
I'm 32 and have Sick Sinus Node Syndrome. I have had my pm for a little over a year. Super active. Walk, hike,bike on a regular basis. I even went snowboarding again a few months ago. So don't worry you'll be back up and running before you know it. You do need to remember to take it easy for a while after your surgery. I took close to a month before I really started driving. Most of that was due to the dizziness that you're describing. For some reason mine got worse before it got better. I also have / had frequent blackout spells or long pauses if you will. So I was a little worried about getting behind the wheel. Good luck with your surgery.
I'll be thinking about you. If you have any other questions regarding the surgery or sick sinus node syndrome please let me know. Take care & good luck,
Anna

Another Runner (also new!)

by nikkibruce84@gmail.com - 2011-08-16 01:08:51

Hi Devon

Like you I am also a runner (half marathons etc). I'm 26 and had my pacemaker implanted about 4 weeks ago. I wouldnt say I have more energy but I feel a lot less sluggish than I had been recently, and people are saying I'm a lot "brighter". I couldn't do much for the first few days as I was quite tired and sore, but after a week I went for walks and quickly got back up to running. I haven't been out on the bike yet, only exercise bike. I'm supposed to be doing a half marathon at the start of September and my consultant has told me I'm not to do it, I've compromised though and changed it down to the 10k that runs the same day! I think having good pre-surgery fitness helped me, although it has been quite frustrating not to be able to do certain things- swimming etc and I've not been to my salsa class as you can't lift your left arm above your head for the first few weeks (it would be too sore anyway!)
As for driving, in the UK at least the DVLA stops you from driving for 1week then the wheel is all yours, I drove exactly a week later and I won't lie, it is quite uncomfortable changing gears etc with the left hand. Definitely felt fine to drive within the fortnight though.

I was quite frustrated about having to get the pacemaker at first, having been previously fit then spending nearly a month in coronary care, but I'm glad of it now as I've had no more blackouts (from sinus arrest) or dizziness, and I didn't realise until I had the PM just how bad I'd been feeling.

Hopefully this will give you some inspiration that you will be back to your usual self in no time!

Hadc the same concerns...

by gulliver80 - 2011-08-16 03:08:02

i first had my ICD (pacemaker plus defibulator) fitted on 23 May after a five week stay at the hospitals pleasure!! I have an ICD for Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, Atrial fibulation and a slow HR (28 at resting, 20 whilst sleeping)
I boxed amateur at a decent standard, ran full/half Marathons and generally pushed myself to the limit all the time so to have this all happened was an absolute nightmare, that said fully grateful for the chance to be around a little while longer! I am now starting to do a little more everyday, even managing a 12 mile cycle so keep focused and take it step by step - I know this is difficult as the mind wants to do other thin but just try and be patient. I plan on completing a full ironman next year, regardless of time but just want to give myelf a monumental goal and have a real reason to push on - your focus may be slightly different with having kids etc but im sure deep down you have the desire to plan for your next race - just believe buddy, listen to your body and the cardio boys and you will be great.Ps, im a young lad of 31 so know the feeling!
Darren

Keeping Up

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2011-08-16 12:08:19

My kids were the same age as yours when I got my PM. I have a different condition than yours but regardless I had no problem keeping up with the kids. The hardest part were the weeks following implant educating them and increasing their awareness to not jump, kick, hit my PM site, lol! They are now very good at avoiding my left side :). I also do all the same activities as I did pre-pm with the kids.

I'm not sure if this advice will be helpful to you but it may take several adjustments to your settings for it to meet your physical demands. Your PM should work for you, not against you when exercising.

I honestly can't remember how long it was before I could drive. I'm sure someone with a better memory that I will respond!

Best of luck to you!
Heidi

33 when I got mine last year

by DybHen - 2011-08-17 10:08:24

I voiced the same concerns last year when I got my pm. My kids 7 and 4 at the time. Mine was more or less an emergency implant so I didn't have much time to think about it. Went to the er on a Tuesday a.m., sat in the hospital with them trying various meds that made everything worse (bradychardia, tachycardia, a-fib, heart blocks...and the list goes on), doc came in Thursday a.m. and suggested a pacemaker and that he would put it in that night. After an hour of discussion I agreed to it. I exercised 5 days a week doing anything from running, elliptical, weights, biking, aerobics and was very concerned this would affect me. I had some programming complications post-surgery and had a lot of complications, but still made it to the gym 3 days a week to test myself out. I had my Physician Assistant's cell # so I would text him after any workout that didn't go well so he knew what was going on with me. I finally had a running stress test done and that programming during this seemed to fix me for the most part. I still have occasional dizzy spells and feelings of general yuckiness similar to what I had before pm, but I think it is due to vasovagal syncope attacks, which the pm does not eliminate.

Oh, and I recall driving about 4 days post-surgery.

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