The New Guy

Hi everybody!

I had my PM installed July 6th. I had had months of weakness, heavy arms and legs, and occasional dizziness. One night when I got up to let the dogs out, I almost passed out, so, even though I like to blame everything on allergies, I knew something was up. I threw on my blood pressure cuff and my pulse was 50. I was diagnosed with AV heart block.

To make a long story short, you can imagine where I spent the week of July 4th...not exactly the fireworks I was looking forward to. But, overall, I feel better now. Still dealing with how I am accepting all of this emotionally. Just had nuclear stress test yesterday. I hope that not hearing from the doc yet is good news.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi to everybody, and thanks for being here. I am a 55 year old male.

Steve

6 Comments

Hi Steve,

by hooimom - 2007-07-31 04:07:33

Welcome to the Club! My PM was put in July 18th, 2006. Sounds like you have kept a sense of humor through all of this--that is great. It takes a litle time to adjust emotionally. You'll get there. This is a great source of support.

Michelle

P.S. I love to see all the newbies reaching out to each other! That is a great step to healing.

Thanks to all of you!

by bullito818 - 2007-07-31 09:07:45

I really appreciate the interest and support you have offered so early into my new life helped by technology.

My cardiologist called me this evening and told me that the Nuclear Stress Test (persantine) I had yesterday was totally normal..no blocks..no nothing that was a concern. Needless to say I was relieved.

So July has been quite a month, and I need to keep telling myself that I'm coming out of this a much healthier person, and look forward to a normal, happy life.

I'm so glad you guys are here...many people just don't understand.

Steve

Welcome

by bini - 2007-07-31 11:07:50

Hi Steve,
Welcome to the PM club. I hope your surgery went well.
I got my PM installed on June 27th and for a while it was hard for me to deal with emotionally. I am doing much better now and am also feeling alot better as well.

I had to get my PM installed bc I had fainting episodes almost daily for 3 years and no medication was helping. I am doing so much better now.

You will slowly get used to having your PM, it just takes time. I just wanted to let you know that if you need to talk to anyone please feel free to email me.

Good luck with everything!

Christine

Hi New Guy

by Vicki - 2007-07-31 12:07:35

I am the New Girl. I had my PM intalled on July 18th and like you spent many days in the hospital. I had that weakness at times, plus breathing problems and I would get this "woosh" feeling...would come and go at odd times..sort of like an out of body experience..thinking back now, I believe it was maybe lack of oxygen and a faint feeling. I blamed everything on anxiety.

I guess like Christine said above, we will both get used to having this bump in our chest and this PM in our body.

Welcome all Newbies!

by auntiesamm - 2007-08-01 02:08:24

Hello Newbies - It is great to have some newbies join us. That will help keep us "old-timers" on our toes. I have had my PM since May 2006 and this website and the wonderful people here have become some of my best friends I will NEVER meet. The day after I got my PM I was online searching for info and found this club. It has been one of the great joys in my day-to-day life. You will find very kind, nurturing, humorous folks in this elite club who go that extra mile for each other. We all embrace a holistic approach to our lives and to each other. You will find postings about things other than cardiac devices that affect each others lives. You will also find expertise in many areas from individuals in the club. I hope you will all gain the information, strength and enjoyment from the Pacemaker Club that I have this past 15 mos. Take care and God bless you.
Sharon

Hello Steve

by randrews - 2007-08-01 09:08:47

Congratulations on a successful surgery. It's really important to take time and let yourself heal. But it's also important I think, to regain your life as you physically can. I've had my pm for 4 months now and it's going ok. I'm working outside alot and running. The emotional adjust has been tough for me but this site has been a huge huge help.
Take care and let us know how you are doing,
Rusty

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

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At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!