Puts Things in Perspective !

I played in a golf tournament today in a group of 4 . The names were drawn out of a hat .  I was surprised to find out, in the clubhouse afterwards, that 3 of the 4 in my group had pacemakers :-

- All 3 had Medtronics ( the local rep must be good ! )

- Two had Sick Sinus Syndrome, the third had AV block.

- None , apart from me ,had heard of the PM club, none were particularly interested.

- None had a-fib, atrial flutter, PVC's, SVT's  or any other type of arrythmia .

-  None were on anti-arrythmic drugs or blood-thinners

- None had other unrelated cardiac issues

-  None wore any kind of ID bracelet, jewellry etc warning people about their pacemakers

- None appeared to find the whole process of acquiring a PM particularly traumatic.

It was ironic that the 4th player., the one without the pacemaker, played the worst golf. There must be a moral there !

Today really brought home to me that most people who mail the PM club  are not altogether typical of the pacemaker population. I also hope that people just about to start a paced bionic life find this encouraging.

Ian

6 Comments

Another perspective

by Gemita - 2020-07-29 13:39:56

Thank you Ian for your lesson today.  

I agree many fortunate folks never need the support of a Club like this and are able to get on with their lives, but I certainly needed support initially and I can see that many on here find reassurance from being in touch with others who have experienced the trauma (yes trauma in some cases) of a pacemaker implant.  

Your golfing colleagues were very fortunate indeed that they had never had A-fib, atrial flutter, PVCs, SVTs or any other type of arrhythmia, nor have had to take anti-arrhythmic meds or anticoagulation.  Maybe the 4th player, the one without the pacemaker, had the arrhythmias !!

I am not concerned about wearing an ID bracelet, that is way down the list of my priorities, but I do want to learn as much as I can about my pacemaker and what it can and cannot do for me and this Club has some great contributors, including yourself, and I would be all the poorer without it.

Gemita

Not entirely surprising, but reassuring as you say

by crustyg - 2020-07-29 13:44:29

I *think* I've seen something that claimed that Medtronic had about 50% of the global market, which makes them a giant compared to their nearest rivals.

*Many* hospitals/care groups do a solus agreement with one vendor - free programming kit, simplifies training and no jack-of-all-trades issues, so it's not entirely surprising that Medtronic have done so well in your group.  It happens a lot in hospitality - sign a solus agreement and the brewery provide free beer lines/taps/coolers - I worked in licensed victualing back in the day.

Tracey_E has pointed out many times (as I'm sure you know) that only unhappy folk spend/waste their time here, while the rest get on with their lives.  *However*, SSS/CI is pretty simple (like me), HB not much worse, and a *lot* of folk here have much more complicated conditions where a PM has a much more subtle role.

And it's always helpful to remind new PM recipients that getting the lead(s)/box really is not a big deal (most of the time), even though it may seem like the end of the world for a while.

Thanks for sharing.

Perspectives

by AgentX86 - 2020-07-29 16:07:27

Your perspective depends on where you're standing.

I'm sure every regular who visits here understands that the "problem" cases have a much higher representation here than the population would dictate. That's a feature, not a bug. The fact that three of your golf buddies don't even know about us shouldn't be surprising given the rarity of major complications.

The fact that none had an arrhythmia does surprise me some, given the sheer number of people who have them, pacemaker or not.

My wife doesn't wear medic alert jewelry either, despite being diabetic. I think it's foolish but not my decision. Mine has already proven its worth. "Don't leave home without it." I try not to leave home without my pants too.

 

Yes thankfully most of us do well after pacemaker implant

by Gemita - 2020-07-30 08:23:56

Yes it is good to be reminded that the majority of pacemaker patients do very well and are able to carry on with their lives without the support of a group like this, but it is equally important to remember that some of us will need more time to overcome their difficulties, will need reassurance time and time again, reassurance and support from real people with pacemakers who totally understand, support which may not always be given by their medical team.

I believe it is unhelpful to make the statement . . . “only unhappy folk spend/waste their time here, while the rest get on with their lives” . . .  I have seen statements like these several times on this site and I do find them rather hurtful when some of us are really struggling to look for clues, answers, solutions for their problems. 

getting on with their lives

by Tracey_E - 2020-07-30 09:52:52

I've said that many times. It's not intended as in insult to the people who come here, I merely meant a lot of people truly don't give it a thought and a support forum would never cross their minds. Gemita, I think we are interpreting that phrase differently. 

Misinterpretation

by Gemita - 2020-07-30 11:00:43

Thank you Tracey.  I think you are probably right, but unfortunately a statement like this can lend itself to misinterpretation and can cause offence but I appreciate your comments

 

You know you're wired when...

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I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.