New pacemaker user
- by motherhenpam
- 2017-02-01 09:08:03
- Coping
- 1139 views
- 4 comments
Husband is five days post op. He had arrhythmia and blackouts pre op. He also has an old back injury which was affected each time he blacked our and fell to the floor. He is very anxious about walking unaided. I am trying to chivvy him along. His first pacing check was fine but even this has not helped. He is nervous about the future. Any advice or information would be welcome. Thanks x
4 Comments
Is there a halfway house?
by LondonAndy - 2017-02-01 16:50:51
It's early days, so confidence will come with time of course, but would he be reassured if somebody walked right behind him or something, ready to catch him in the unlikely event he passed out?
I think of mine as "just another gadget"! Yes, it's critical to me (I am 100% paced, ie 100% dependent on it), but no point in worrying.
Trust the machine
by Yorker - 2017-02-07 15:32:22
It's difficult for some to wrap their head around the fact that a tiny micro-computer and a couple of thin wires are actually capable of doing the job.
It does take time. Try small, walks with the two of you, first then on to longer ones. Perhaps a walker, to steady himself will help with the confidence.
I'm 100% paced and it took me a while. When the day finally comes when you realize you haven't thought about the pacemaker all day, it's a great feeling.
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Trust the pacemaker
by Gotrhythm - 2017-02-01 15:00:13
I'm sorry DH and you are having a hard time. The prupose of the pacemaker is to keep him from passing out, but the best way for him to learn to trust it, is to walk and find out that it really does work.
You profile doesn't give much information. I don't know if cardiac rehabilitation is available in your area, but if it is, it is really helpful in getting your confidence back after a cardiac event. If you haven't actually had a heart attack,your insurance might not pay, so cardiologists don't always think to recommend it. You could ask your doctor to prescribe it. I paid out of pocket myself and found it worth every penny.