Reactions from other people

I've been telling friends and family that I've had a pacemaker implanted last week, and I'm finding that dealing with their reactions is one of the more difficult things about the procedure. "You're so young!" is a typical response. I am 60 years old and have otherwise been fit and healthy apart from increasing fatigue and exercise intolerance, so I understand that it comes as a shock to people my own age.  I too associated pacemakers with older folk but have realised that there are many of us "youngsters" around too. It's made me realise that the average person knows nothing about pacemakers, and what they do, so may react in a similar way to when they hear news of a cancer diagnosis. Has anyone had similar experiences? 


18 Comments

Me too

by twinboo28 - 2017-03-07 00:50:24

I had that experience when I first knew I need a pacemaker people was telling me at the hospital that im too young to get a pacemaker I was 22 when I got mines implanted now that I'm 23 

A lot of ex athletes get them!

by LondonAndy - 2017-03-07 03:48:02

As a somewhat overweight 51 year old male who has never been athletic and got a pacemaker about 2.5 years ago, I delight in telling friends that a lot of ex-athletes seem to end up with them!

Young at heart

by Paced2017 - 2017-03-07 05:29:46

Thank you both - it's great to connect with others like you and helps to put my own situation in perspective.

Many have had that reaction

by Grateful Heart - 2017-03-07 09:13:06

Frankly....so did I....lol.

I was 51 when I was told I needed a PM.  I thought they must be wrong.   NOT

People realize if it happened to you....it could happen to them as well.

As time goes on and you educate yourself about your device and condition, you can then educate your family and friends and ease their mind.  That will go a long way for you and them.

Just explain that electrical failures in the heart can occur in anyone, even young children....but gratefully there is a fix for it.

Welcome to the club.

Grateful Heart

Pacemakers

by Cabg Patch - 2017-03-07 10:46:26

a pacemaker just brings your electrical system up to the latest building codes so you don't have an electrical short and meltdown.

There are so many urban legends out there relating to heart chargers and they just won't die. Is that a bad analogy? Talk about fake news !!!

Many many young people are members here, and some not so young members were once. ie TraceyE was a um uh, let's say young lady when she got her first. Now her kids are off to college and she's still going strong. Pacers are for an electrical problem and not necessarily related to aging.

pace makers

by zawodniak2 - 2017-03-07 11:27:47

Just ask them  why they may be wearing glasses or contacts; or how many dental filling, crowns or caps they have.  Are they taking any prescriptions and OTC supplements to correct deficiencies in their bodies?  Ask if any of them had tonsils, appendix , gall bladder or kidney stones removed----or God forbid a vasectomy --ha ha????  Everyone's body parts and functions age, deteriorate or malfunction at different rates.  We all need medical support on our one-way trip in life; some sooner than others and getting a pace maker is a Godsend, especially in a younger patient who has preserved many, many years of healthy, active, quality life.

                                       Rodger

Welcome to the club

by admin - 2017-03-07 19:10:04

I got my first pacemaker in 1978 when I was nine. That's right, I'm almost 50. I got the line you're way too young for years. I'm sad to say that has stopped as Ive started to grey. 

I like to compare my pacenmaker to air - everyone needs it to breathe. I need a pacemaker to help my heart beat. 

Blake

Blake

Adjustment

by SickNodes - 2017-03-07 19:59:27


You are as young as you feel. I am 54 and had a PM implant in Jan this year. Everyone also told me that I was young but mind you I think how amazing Blake is who has had it since 9.

Personally I feel lucky that I feel normal again and I intend enjoying life to to max...take it as a wake up call. Don't think you are getting older, we all to that, think you have been blessed with the opportunity of enjoying life and those in it more and start to appreciate those things in it rather than being competitive. Relax, be happy, show you family and others who you really are and focus on loving life rather than ageing

Stay well

Pat

Welcome

by CrockerNut - 2017-03-07 21:28:45

Yes, hear it every time someone learns of mine... As quite a few have stated here, it's not relegated to "old" people, aged or even unhealthy hearts necissarily. Sometimes things just need a little help running smoothly. I'm 47 and had mine installed in December. I'm thinking of my inefficient carburetor getting upgraded to state of the art fuel injection (Yes I know it's an electrical process, but I'm a piston, block and oil guy). The tuner is still tweaking mine, but I think after the next set of dyno tests I'll be back to running like my former (Supercar) self.

Thanks for all your posts

by Paced2017 - 2017-03-08 07:06:37

So many understanding people in the same situation - thanks for all your advice, both humorous and otherwise. Yes, I realise that I need to spend time educating freinds and family so they understand what pacing is about. The good news is that I'm feeling much better with improved exercise tolerance so am thankful that this treatment option is available. I'm not on Facebook but my husband now jokes that I really need to join Pacebook!!

60

by Snowman - 2017-03-08 11:26:04

I too just turned 60 and had my Superman Medtronic Pacemaker installed .

I am in shape and am an avid mountain biker.

Genetic heart electrical problems came to a head.

I just dont tell everyone for the exact reason your experiencing.

I know this I feel better and am mentaly sharper.

I know how you feel

by Topdog - 2017-03-08 17:34:33

I guess at my clinic, I'm one of the younger patients.  I figured there were some folks younger than me, but at 40, they tell me I'm one of the younger patients they have.  

For 20 years, I was a police officer, and was often the "youngin" in the room.  Some things never change.  

It is nice to be considered "young" for something.  The rookies started making up stories that Moses was my first supervisor!

thank them

by confused - 2017-03-08 17:40:06

Hi,

When I was in the hospital getting mine the nurses would just walk in and look shocked and say "your're so young".   I would just say "Well thank you for saying I am young" haha.

(I was 44 just turned 45 yesterday)

Tammy

 

 

I feel your pain

by Chantellerose - 2017-03-11 17:41:00

infeel your pain I got mine earlier this week and I'm 33. When I tell family and friends I have either had 'oh but I thought you were really fit and healthy' my reply is I bloody am thank you very much!!! Or they just cry and say they really feel for me! Try to look on the positive side. I know it's a bit rubbish you have to have a pacemaker but it would be even more rubbish if you didn't have it. Good luck with the recovery I'm struggling with the emotional element of it all a bit too! 

Thanks all

by Paced2017 - 2017-03-11 22:51:17

Thanks again for all your comments. Chantellerose, I hope you too have a good recovery and you're right, we need to be grateful that there is an effective treatment available which can help us. I liked Topdog's comment too "It's nice to be considered "young' for something!". 

Young pacer

by Dbedwell - 2017-03-15 23:20:29

My Brother had a PM placed at 28 yrs old for Sick Sinus Sydrome, which is what I have at 54. My son was born with heart disease. My heart goes out to all who face these questions. My boy at 4 lbs. 12 0z. Was not too young, it saves lives. God bless everyone with a heart problem. People do not understand and try to blame it on something you did. Feel free to share my story. Sincerely 

STILL APPREHENSIVE

by PJ1960 - 2017-03-28 16:27:59

I was 48yrs old when they told me I had lymphoma. Chemo was so intense it turned what was a benign heart murmur into a full-fledged double valve replacement. In 2008 one year later they insisted I accept an ICD defibrillator. Now they are tryin to convince me i need to go full pacemaker, and I find I am in the same boat with some of the peoiple you are complaining about...the first thought in my head is "But thats for OLD people!"
HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS FEAR PLEASE.

Did you fight and rale against being implanted?  Did you question the cardiologist and doctors about the after effects only to be met with "It will make you feel better' ?  (Guess what, most of 'em DONT HAVE pacemakers!)  DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER? Or does it increase the foreboding sense of imminent mortality?? I am on my 2nd unit, just had a new one installed last month, and yes, they are still tryin to talk me into going "full 3 wire".

I know i am all skewed and sideways here, but I see going "fully paced" as having one foot in the grave.

Share your apprehension

by Paced2017 - 2017-03-28 21:23:29

I understand what you are saying PJ1960 and you've been through alot in recent years. There is a pyscholgical burden with having these devices which other people and cardiologists don't appreciate. In my case I delayed for this reason as long as possible until I felt my symptoms (fatigue, poor exercise tolerance, dizziness) outweighed this consideration. But this decision is more difficult when symptoms could  be due to other causes apart from a heart rhythm disorder. For example I was aware that I was becoming anxious prior to the pacemaker going in and wondered how much that was contributing to my symptoms. So I needed to keep reminding myself of my longer term symptoms. I do now feel better one month after the procedure, but I am also less anxious, so I do still wonder about this. I did experience a sense of doom or imminent mortality before the the procedure, but not since. I think this was part of my anxiety and I think quite a common experiuence more generally.  I have taken up mindfulness practice and meditation which has helped me alot to gain acceptance of my situation, and to stay positive. I hope things work out for you.

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.