My first PM to be implanted -is it career limiting

I heard today that I will be receiving my first PM on 13 April. It was a bit of a shock at first, but after some reflection of the past 12 months, I realized it is by far the best thing that will happen to me this year.
I have had some irregular heartbeats and it was always a concern to me, so after the EP study of yesterday and the tilt test of today, the doctor gave me the news that I don't really have any other option.

I think the main thing that concerns me is the fact that I am only 29, fairly fit (go to the gym three time a week) and didn't expect it to come to a Pacemaker.

I am still researching the limitations, but from what I can gather, it is the normal post op recovery period (4 weeks, not driving for 3 to 4 weeks, and not lifting you arms above your shoulder for 3 to 4 weeks).

I tried to find out,but is it possible for patients with Pacemakers to embark on a private pilot licence, aka learn to fly?

Also, has anyone had experience on how other people view pacemaker recipients. I just wondered if employers think of patients with pacemakers as employees that will give the issues in the long run? Is it my responsibility to disclose this to a potential employer?

3 Comments

Life with a PM

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2012-04-04 01:04:40

You should expect to live your life just as you've had in the past, hopefully even better. Your PM is there to ensure your heart functions as it should.
Sounds like you have an idea of recovery restrictions. Your DR will give you specifics if they have not already. You can ask about resuming your exercise routine and if any modifations are needed for a perioid of time.
I returned to work after my 2 week appt. but I have heard of others going back sooner than that.
As far as a pilots license, if you search the topic there have been a few recent posts.
As far as how others view my PM, most people wouldnt know I have one. My employer knows because I decided to tell them. It has not impacted my employment what so ever. You have a right to privacy. Do you work in a profession that would cause any interference with your PM?
I'm sure you are trying to digest the thought of having a PM:). Spend some time reading through the topics. I learned a lot from the site and you'll find several members who are around your age and younger. I was 41 when i received mine and only wished I was diagnosed earlier in life. Best of luck to you and keep us updated.

Take care,
Heidi

when to...

by catriname - 2012-04-05 01:04:18

hey cobus,
im 33 and have been increasingly getting more and more lightheaded and fatigued. my regular rate is in the 40's and i dip regularly into the 30s.. i, too, am active - exercise 4-5 times a week (martial arts, gym). what was their reasons behind your pm? whats your hr at? im wondering cause... at some point i think i have to look at a pm as improving my quality of life and as a means of prevention...

It depends

by CobusC - 2012-04-05 02:04:00

Hi Catriname

I would say it depends. My journey to getting a PM was very different from other people's journey.

I went to a cardiologist last year November. He did his thing and in the end I had to wear a holter for 24 hours so that he could monitor my heart. There wasn't anything wrong with the structure of my heart, so he had to have more information.

He looked at the results, and when he called me, he told me that I should go for an EP study. Apperantly my heart stopped twice in the 24 hours, but then again, I am not sure what that means. It might have been his way of explaining it to me in layman terms.

At first I didn't really think it was a big deal, but after a few more weeks, I felt that my heart wasn't really working correctly. I don't know how to explain it, but if you keep on noticing that there is something wrong with your heart, then you have to do something.

So I made the appointment to have the EP study done. After the EP study (which was done beginning of this week) the doctor told me that he wanted to do one more test to confirm that I need a PM.
He did a tilt test the next day, and my tilt test turned out to be positive.

So that is how my story goes.
To answer some of your other questions. My heartrate isn't very low (in the region of 60). I have never faited, but I have been very fatigued over the past few months. Some days I would go to bed at 7pm in the morning and wake up the next day at 7am, and still be tired. I actually hope that the PM sort that out.

I think the best suggestion I could give you is to go to a specialist to have a few tests done. When I made the cardiologist appointment last year, the last think I was expecting was to get a PM.

I still need to go for the surgery (which will take place next week Friday), but I am very positive about it. It can only make my life better.

Good luck

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You can finally prove that you have a heart.

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