My new buddy

Hi All,

I had first pacemaker implanted on Friday, 13 April. I was diagnosed with a AV block, second degree.

Glad to say everything is running smoothly. I don't have any more pain and I feel pretty good.

My left arm has pins and needles every now and again. I'm not sure if that is normal, but before I am discharged tomorrow, I will ask the doctor.

So glad this was done. I didn't make too a big deal about it, but secretly I was a little concerned. Now that it is done, I realize it really wasn't a big deal at all.

I have felt the pacemaker kick in three time, which was pretty strange. Also need to ask the doctor tomorrow if that is normal, but it probably is a good thing, as I can feel the pacemaker is working.

Anyways, just wanted to share my story. This is the best thing that happened to me this year. If left un-diagnosed, it could have been an issue. Thank goodness it was caught.

8 Comments

Thanks

by CobusC - 2012-04-15 04:04:19

Hi myheart
I realized last year July that there was something wrong. I was with friends on a farm for a weekend. We drank a bit, but nothing excessive.
The next day I felt very bad. I initially thought is was a hangover, but my heart kept on beating irregularly.

After the weekend, I didn't go to a doctor, but after I felt a few more irregular heartbeats, I knew I had to do something, so I made an appointment with a Cardiologist.
He also made me wear a monitor for 24 hours. He saw there were two incidents.

He then referred me to another cardiologist. That doctor did an EP study. It was done two weeks ago. The doctor also did a tilt test to confirm the EP study. My tilt test was positive, so pacemaker for me, was the verdict. I think it was pretty much a given than I needed a pacemaker after the EP study, or so I was told.

Regarding the symptoms. I was very tired at times. Go to bed really early and sleep way too much, and still be tired when I got up.
I would also be out of breath if I walk up one flight of stairs, but the next day I would go to the gym and do a proper cardio sesson (5km treadmill, 20min rowing and some weight work). I never understood why that was. Being fairly fit, but still be out of breath after one flight of stairs.

I never faited like some cases I have read here, but I think the reason for that is because I was lucky that I was diagnosed really early on. I'm only 29, so I won't know for sure, but hey, when things work out for the best, b glad it did.

So here I am, pacemaker implanted and glad it was done. I mean, things can only get better.

Thank you for sharing!

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-04-15 11:04:11

Thank you so much for sharing a POSITIVE posting! I'm getting my first PM this Wednesday (I'm only 31) and I'm pretty nervous but postings like this make me feel so much better.

Thank you!

~Renee

Hi & Welcome

by Pookie - 2012-04-16 01:04:01

Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Just one thing jumped out at me: you shouldn't feel your pacemaker "kicking in".......something you might wanna discuss with your EP and/or Cardiologist.

But if it's not bothering you...I guess it's okay.

Some of us are labeled as "sensitive" but it could be that one of your settings should/could be adjusted, but they usually don't do that until your 1st pacemaker interrogation. If the "kicking in" is still happening, perhaps you should mention it.

Also: there is a what they call a "self-test" programmed into most pacemakers.......that can be turned off OR programmed to a time when you are sleeping:)

Take care,
Pookie

Pacing lead moved

by CobusC - 2012-04-16 04:04:56

I just heard that the lead going to my ventricle isn't correctly positioned.

I'm a bit disappointed, because that means another operation and another two to three day stay in hospital.

To be honest, it is not the operation or hospital food that gets to me. It is my fellow wardies (patients in the ward). Actually, to be completely honest, it is only one patient

The man is fairly old(about 80), but he should have his own room in the hospital. I swear the guy has dementia or something that affects his brain. Always in the middle of the night, the man starts talking loudly... Consantly just talks and nothing makes sense.
He swears and yells abuse to the nurses, then the next minute he is fine.

I should have simpathy for the man, because he is someone farther or grandfather after all, but when someone starts messing with your sleep pattern, you might be able to take it for a few days, but not a whole week.

Anyway, I am sure the op will go well. My EP is pretty good. The week off from work is pretty cool, but usually more cool once you are at home.

That sucks :(

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-04-16 08:04:50

Sorry to hear about the extra surgery. And to think, I was so psyched to hear a story about a positive and easy surgery. LOL

Hopefully they give you a new room and get the placement right this time.

Good luck! Keep us posted :)

Some further comments

by rupert - 2012-04-17 07:04:59

Hey, thanks for the advice CobusC. I'm very grateful to be able to chat to people who can actually relate to this particular heart issue.

As mentioned in previous posts, its also extremely comforting to see a positive attitude as I too would like to put this behind me and get on with my life.

I'm curious to understand that with your gym training, did you find that the more you trained, the more it got worse? I guess I'm trying to work out if there is some sort of pattern as to why the av node does not conduct. Is it drinking or smoking or something else that may cause this?

I also would like to ask if you were given a choice as to where the PM implant is to go. That is, under the pectorial muscle or above? Is one way better than the other?

PS Good luck with your recovery.

Thanks....another familar story

by rupert - 2012-04-17 08:04:22

Hi,
Thanks for the posting. It certaintly makes me feel a little better. I wish this group was closer to me.....
I'm 39 from Australia and have been diagnosed with 2nd degree heart block (last week). I also have irregular heart beat which is very low between 36 to 46. No PM yet.
I've been through a rough time lately with constant dizzyness and faint feeling whilst working. Over 5 months now. I'm also sleeping more often. Haven't fainted yet.
I've done all the tests including ECG's, MRI stress test & 24hr monitor. I've also done an electrophysiology exam.
After all exam's I've been advised to wait until I faint as the doctors are reluctant to give me a PM at my age. I'm now scared shitless as to what may happen......
What is strange is that when I exercise my heart rate is normal and I feel fine. Stress test also showed normal signs.
I'm glad I can share my story.
I'm struggling to come to terms with getting a PM but am trying to work through this.
Do I wait until I faint to have the PM? Is 2nd degree heart block reversable with drugs or life style etc? Or does it eventently lead to complete heart block?
I commend all of you as you seem like very brave people and wish you the best

Update and suggestion

by CobusC - 2012-04-17 09:04:07

Im officially done with my 24hour bed-rest period and can at least go to the loo when I need to. Still need to stay in bed for an additional 24 hours, but there is nothing more liberating than being able to not have to pee in a bedpan/mobile urinal.

Then again, if you get over the initial embarrassment,, there is something comical about handing a container, filled to the brim with your urine, to someone and they have to take it away. I almost thought to myself "good job for filling it so much!" Thank goodness there was no spillage.

Regarding the surgery. It went well and I am happy with it sofar. I can definitely feel the pacemaker (more than before), but it only kicks in every now and then. I think the misplaced lead before didn't really do its work as it should have, because the sensation is completely different, but it is stangely comforting because I know Buddy has my back.

Otherwise, I have decided to take the half a sleeping pill the nurses gives me every night. No use in getting mad at an old man keeping me awake the whole time, as it is something that he can't control and I can remedy.

One very strange symptom I have is that I can't seem to sleep in the day anymore. I use to be able to go to sleep any time of day, even if I wasn't tired, but not now. Whether it is the pacemaker or the fact that I took half a sleeping pill last night will still have to be determined.

I feel great. A little sore at the place where they placed the pacemaker, but not at all as bad as I thought.

Rupert, I am not a doctor, so I can't really give you sound medical advice.
What I can do is give you a suggestion as someone that had this done less than a week ago.
I'm 29, had a heart rate of roughly 60 and I am fairly fit. If your AV node isn't working properly, then the wise decision would probably be to get your own buddy. That is obviously if the EP study said you need one.

I lagged for almost a year. I knew something was wrong, but there was always a convenient excuse availible not to have the problem checked out, and even after my 24 hour monitor, I still dragged my feet. Still, everything worked out well (despite the lead not being correctly positioned the first time)

I'll leave you with something my father said to me. "no-one is going to be better at looking after your own health than yourself". He said that after I kept on delaying the EP study, but complained about there something being wrong.. Like most times, he was right.
Good luck.

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So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.