Feeling like I need a boost

Hi there,

I’ve just discovered this site so hello everybody and hope you are all doing well !

I have had a pacemaker since the age of 12 and I am now 37 ! Looking back I think I was unfazed by the news that I had to have a pacemaker fitted and lived a very normal life. Last year however I suffered a heart attack completely out of the blue. This was caused by two blood clots in one of the main arteries entering my heart. I was hospitalised twice after this because I needed to have my heart shocked out of atrial fibrillation Since then I have had an ablation and had my single lead pacemaker replaced with a dual chamber one. 

I think now I’m at the stage where I feel better than I did with my single lead pacemaker but I do struggle with coming to terms with the uncertainty of everything ! I can also get quite obsessed with taking my pulse and I feel like I get the odd funny beat. Recently I had a very fast heartbeat which turned into a very irregular rythm while sitting at my desk at work! This came back to normal very quickly and I’m hoping my pacemaker regulated things! I saw my consultant yesterday and had a pacing check and echo and an exercise test. I will see what he says. I think maybe right now I am coping well with everything that’s happened and I’m never going to be perfect. I think if I get a funny beat I just need to think my pacemaker is working fine and just try and ignore it. 

Does anybody have any thoughts on coping with uncertainty and getting on with their lives as best they can ?

Thanks for reading,

Katie


2 Comments

Thanks for the comment

by Pumph - 2018-12-04 11:43:04

I agree! Concentrating on my breathing calms me down too as does putting one hand on my chest and the other on my stomach when I lay down. 

I thought about writing down any twinges I get but what’s the point? It will probably make me feel worse. I think I am almost there I am a lot better than I was!

 

katie

PM club

by Zanneblake - 2018-12-04 21:59:18

I have a test that my pacemaker takes and I feel the pulses strong. It happens 3x a day every 8 hours. It was concerning at first but I am finally getting used to it. 

IDK if I will ever be unaware and or used to my PM. It sure has been a process. 

Today was my first day back at work and everyone was so afraid and concerned. I guess they will get used to my new norm just like I did!!

Hang in there. It gets better!! 

You know you're wired when...

Your electric tooth brush interferes with your device.

Member Quotes

I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.