Getting a pacemaker

Hi everyone,
I haven't been online for a couple of years as I was pretty stable. Now I have a new arrhythmia that my EP tried to fix yesterday with an ablation. He couldn't get it and now pretty much my only option is a pacemaker. I had mitral valve repair in 2002, have had many cardioversions and 4 ablations. In August I was in atrial flutter after being taken off dolfetilide and put on flecanide. He thought he could ablate out the flutter but when I stopped the flecanide prior to the ablation attempt I started this very aggressive beat that masked the flutter. So my problem is not that I have bradycardia but atrial tachycardia/flutter/fib. If I get a pacemaker the first plan is to just use it to keep me from going too slow and use a beta blocker to stop the tachy. Has anyone been there? If so what about activity? I like to ride bike, walk, hike and lift weights. And if this doesn't work my next step would be the AV node ablation and complete pm dependency. I would really appreciate any help anyone could give.
Thanks
Judy S

2 Comments

Hang In There

by mike thurston - 2009-09-15 05:09:19

Judy,

Sorry about your current situation. Must be difficult to deal with after an extended period of relative calm. I am completly AV Node ablated with no escape rhythm and PM dependent with an ICD. Not where I wanted to be but really had no other way to go. I take a Beta Blocker twice a day as well as an Ace Inhibitor, Calcium Channel Blocker , Coumadin and HCTZ (diuertic). I lift weights, mountain bike, road bike and rock climb - mind you I am not fast and not outstanding at any of it but I am active and keep after it. Hills are difficult at times but I just gear down and do things at my speed. At 57 I have bum knees as well so hiking is hard but doable.
I have climbed in Mexico, West Virginia, Arizona, Kentucky, Arkansas, California and Tennessee, biked up to 50 miles at a time on the road and done lots of easy to moderate single track on my mountain bike. I can bench about 180lbs and DB Curl up to 40lbs. for 6-8 reps, 25lb dumb bells for sets of 20 to 30. All this with 1/3 rd of my heart dead and all the stuff listed above. Not telling you to toot my horn, just saying that you can still be very active and do the things you like with a little luck and some good Doctors. Tough decisions for sure but being constantly stressed with arrythmias is no fun either. Best Wishes.

Mike

Thanks

by Judy S - 2009-09-15 06:09:41

Hi Mike
Thanks for the input. I take all the drugs you're taking now plus an anti-arrythmia drug. I just like to know there is life after the implantation. Keep up the good work with all your activities.
Judy S

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Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.