Intro/Coping

Young folks

by Hamsquatch - 2017-02-12 23:41:42

Hi Megan, I was 28 when I had my ICD implanted so I can relate. It definitely isn't ideal but the alternative is less so. People our age don't get it, most people don't get it and unless you've been in a life threatening situation you probably won't get it. I get generic responses similar to you "haha you're too young for that" because people....don't get it! Maybe try to educate your family, if they were with you part of your hospital visits they should have some understanding, honestly my mom freaked out about it more than I did.....I just felt "if I die I die theres nothing I can do about it". I also feel it aged me both physically and mentally, physically....well I'm basically an old man with an ICD and take a cocktail of medications and mentally like there's not enough time on this earth to beat around the bush and I try to be dead honest with people without being rude. 

As for your shoulder, still use the arm just follow to precautions, I'm just over 2 years post surgery and my should/rotator cuff feel buggered. 

And 200bpm for several days is nuts! 

23 Here!

by robinclaire93 - 2017-02-12 23:43:00

You're not the only one! I am 23, and a mother of two little boys! I never knew I had a problem until I was pregnant with my first at 18, and apparently had it my entire life! I had sinus bradycardia with 2ND degree AV block. My normal was 30's and 20's when sleeping. I put the surgery off until my doctor wouldn't let me any longer. I had a Boston scientific put in September 19th 2016. He put it kind of under my arm so I could still wear tank tops and stuff. I do know exactly how you feel about nobody really understanding. When I tell people I have one, their exact words are You're too young for that! Or just a look of total disbelief. You can message me anytime. It would be nice to have someone my age to talk with about it since we are both pretty new at this. :) 

PM

by TheLetterM - 2017-02-12 23:58:24

Thank you guys both for commenting!! I really appreciate it !

Hamsquatch - lucky for me i'm an EMT, my mom and grandmother are nurses who were 100% anti PM until they met the doctor then they weee 100% for it! as the doctor said "we sit around and wait for the worst thing to happen to you or we get it fixed with a pacemaker and you live a normal life." It's never being reminded of your own mortality so young - I had three experiences in one year I should've been dead and no one knows how i walked away - I just keep saying this pacemaker was meant to give me a new lease!  I hope you are doing well!

Robin - Inreplied to your message before I saw your comment hahaha. I'm so sorry to hear that, but it's nice already seeing people who relate! my scar is lower and over more than normal apparently but it's so small and it's healed so nicely i can't complain (especially only 3 weeks just about post-PM!!) It'll be nice talking with you about our adventures !

thank you both ❤

I'm still coping

by HazeV - 2017-02-14 20:24:40

i was implanted with a PM at the age of 12 and now I'm 23 back then I didn't understand why I had to have this "box" in my chest I just wanted to be normal and not have to explain to people why I couldn't play sports or go on roller coasters . I don't know if anyone else has to carry a magnet with them but explaining that sucked to all through school people wanted to touch my chest or my favorite "so do you have a heart then?"  haha 

over time though it became a part of me weather I wanted it to be or not and today i still  catch my self looking in the mirror moving my arm up and down watching it move inside me. I hate it so much some days cuz in my mind I'm stronger then this condition I don't look like I'm ill but I know it helps me it's That love hate relationship 

please feel free to message me I don't have anyone that has a PM around me and honestly some days o need to talk 

Hard to rationalize

by batesje1 - 2017-04-09 19:57:12

I am an avid runner and love exercising daily. My sister was 30 when she had her PM last July and I was 34 last Halloween when I had mine inserted. Unfortunately we inherited a gene that is unknown for our issues. We were both in 3rd degree heart block when he slept and 2 degree AV block during the day. We both struggle with complete exhaustion which I have been told is normal. Just to give you some hope, today we ran our first 5K today. It was not easy but I nearly cried when I saw her run across the finish line. I know it is going to take a lot of time and dedication but I am willing to do it to feel the freedom I feel when I run. There is an adjustment period but if your doctor says your ok to, you can still be the person you used to be. Word of wisdom, we both had to buy watches to relieve our anxiety so we can visually see that we are OK with our heart rates which is totally worth it and we can now start to trust our hearts again. Good luck I hope this message helps you.