Should I or Not!?!?

Well I just got some news that I was waiting for, however I wasnt ready for it. My EP doc that wasnt for me getting a PM told me he is leaving it up to me! Im in total shock. Yeah, I knew this was comming, but I didnt know what I would do about it. He uped all my meds and told me to think about it and get back with him. I feel horrible w/ all the meds and I dont want to rely on them forever, but then again once i choose the pm I cant go back. He said the PM would help alot but he is worried about PE's. I have had alot and he said that with a pm they can form on the wires. Thats all I need. As soon as he said this I started to wish I would have never even thought about a pm. It seems like it could fix so much but at the same time hurt. Right now i cant ride rides, go to haunter houses, have kids (safe), be stressed out. Will I be able to with the pm? Please help and thanks!! You guys have already helped so much and I have only been on here two days!!

6 Comments

Outside the heart leads

by busby - 2007-12-14 07:12:52

Rachel, Sorry about your dilemma. Factor 5 must be quite a problem.I was just wondering if the PM could be put in using epicardial leads (leads on the outside of the heart). I have heard of other people with this, with clotting problems. You certainly don't want to have the major vein going into your heart clotted. It can cause arm swelling and all sorts of problems.
Robin

good luck rachel

by jessie - 2007-12-14 11:12:01

wow i had nowhere else to go so i had to have one or i would not be here typing. so another opinion makes sense. do you feel unwel? i did for 4 months. i felt like death warmed over and i am not exaggerating. so i feel good now. so hope this helps jessie

Hurt?

by pacergirl - 2007-12-14 12:12:07

Hello, the pain from having the pacer implanted was nothing compared to having a child.... Just so you know.

I can do almost anything that I could before the pacer. I actually have a much better quality of life because of the pacer. Before the heart issues I was a high energy, get-r-done woman! After my heart stopped working it was awful.

The list of things I can't do is very short. I can not work under the hood of my car...darn, I can't weld (metals) anymore, I also can't ride in the train engine with my husband ... that is the sad thing... Other than that I am free to do as I wish. Free to live, laugh and love!
I hope I have helped you in some way.
Take care,
pacergirl

sorry i didnt finish

by rdelvis07 - 2007-12-14 12:12:14

Sorry i didnt mean hurt like the pm hurt, i mean like hurt my health cause of the blood clots and replacement and stuff. Sorry.

Is it possible...

by dward - 2007-12-14 12:12:23

I don't know exactly where you live, or how your (local) Health System works, but personally, I would get another opinion - NOT DOUBTING your EP Doc, but it wouldn't hurt given your somewhat special circumstance.
I have seen some people on this sight who went to other clinics because they either weren't comfortable with one opinion or they needed a specialist.
You know, questions like:
- What about the different types of leads available?
- Is there a PM Cardiologist who has seen your scenario before?

You must keep in mind, they call it "Practising" medicine because as much as we tend to think it is an exact science... it's not.

My scenario was pretty straight forward, but I still went to three different Doctors before I felt comfortable. And they were all actually impressed that I took charge and asked three different Docs. "Most people are scared it will annoy their Doctor if they get a second opinion."

You have the right to ask, and the right to know what ALL your options are.

Good luck to you...

D. Ward

Decisions, Decisions

by GCWebb - 2007-12-20 04:12:32

Rachel

Know that you are not alone, alot of good people answer on this board and we all have had medical help available some good, and some?. I was 30 hrs from hospital admission to surgery, and during that time my heart stopped three times, but it is truly amazing how much better we can feel post surgery if a PM is truly needed.

I said all this, to suggest get second opinion but don't wait so long that you lose your ability to choose a course of action.

Good luck

Cart in Ohio

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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