When does the stress end
Hi Guys
For a few weeks I have not been worrying and then bang out of the blue I go down hill. Stressing that I can feel the pacemaker kicking in, like a small flutter. Is this thing taking over my heart, will I be OK.
What the hell is wrong with me? Taking pulse, worrying and making life really hard with no energy, every day to day task takes forever. Help with advice.
Jules
8 Comments
we've all been there
by Tracey_E - 2008-08-30 09:08:46
What Gellia said... worrying is normal, not obsessing and letting it take over your life is the key to our sanity.
Can you go outside and get some exercise? Fresh air and sunlight can work wonders. So can exercise, even if it's just a short slow walk- get your adrenaline flowing and clear your head.
I like to crank up the radio and sing along. If I'm bopping to the beat, I can't count my hr. It's not quite as dignified as Gellia's breathing but it works for me!
Is this thing taking over my heart... I sure hope so! :o) I see the pm as security, that little computer is a miracle of modern science that keeps me alive. It's a lot more dependable than my heart.
Hang in there!
Simple answer
by ElectricFrank - 2008-08-31 01:08:10
Stress ends when we die! It is part of life. It is what keeps us alive during emergencies. The trick isn't to try to get rid of stress. The object is to learn to deal with it.
Hey, it's OK.
by Gellia2 - 2008-08-31 01:08:49
We all need to vent at times and worrying about oneself is OK. Worry can, at time, motivate us to correct the problem, it there is one.
But, you can't let it paralyze you. Let your pacemaker do it's job. It's doing a better job than your heart did, or you wouldn't have it.
I've been counting irregular beats with mine for over 33 years and it has never failed me in all that time. I may have broken a wire or two, but the pacemaker has been steady and true and always there when it was needed, even if the wire forgot to send the message.
It's easy to say "Have faith", but that's what I'm saying. Trust that little machine in there to do it's job. You are safer with it than you were without it.
We're always here to listen.
Best to you,
Gellia
Thanks Guys
by Jules - 2008-08-31 05:08:23
OK. Hear what everyone is saying and thank you Smitty once again.
Sorry to keep on but hubbie will not listen and I just want that reassurance that I am OK. Don't want to sound like a wet blanket, but occasionally need it.
Thanks once again.
Jules
Jules,
by Gellia2 - 2008-08-31 08:08:12
Anytime. You can email me privately if you'd like.
I'm usually around.
Take care. It really does get better.
Gellia
hi Jules
by joy1 - 2008-08-31 12:08:12
Smitty..your a wise man. After reading your response to Jules, I went back and read some of her previous posts.
Jules, in the beginning, when you first received your implant, you did really well with it, for quite some time. Now, it sounds like your not doing as well, for whatever reason. That's my point...for whatever reason... If nothing has really changed in your life and your still pacing along as you were in the beginning then it is possible you have begun experiencing what is called PTDS or Post Traumatic Delayed Stress. It is often associated with cardiac arrest survivors and implant recipient. What I see by your posts would suggest to me that you maybe developing this syndrome. It generally does not develop till months after whatever severe trauma a person has been exposed to. Speak with your doctor about this possibility and/or you may want to find a therapist to speak with. Personally, what you are saying makes total sense to me.
Something else you might want to consider is you have mentioned you have a brain tumor. I would also find out if you went without oxygen for any length of time as this can cause a disorder called anoxia. Anoxia is the short way of saying a brain injury created from lack of oxygen. This is a very common occurrence with people who have experienced a full arrest. Again, talk to your doctors.
I am a cardiac arrest survivor, an ICD recipient, and I have PTSD. I also stopped breathing for several minutes and developed anoxia.
Hope what I have said gives you some comfort that your not going nuts and more...that your not alone. Knowledge is your best way to combat the scary unknown.
Blessings,
joy
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You invested in the Energizer battery company.
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You'll come to peace with it in time.
Jules
by Gellia2 - 2008-08-30 05:08:29
It's really normal to worry. The key is not to obsess.
I get a lot of different strange arrhythmias all the time, so I can sympathize with you. What has worked for me when I feel "odd" or lightheaded is, I will take a deep breath through my nose and exhale it slowly through my mouth. If I can, I will get up and walk around. It helps me to not pay attention as much to what I feel going on (blippidy-blipp,blipp pause BOOM, repeat). Sometimes I think our hearts just try to compete with the pacemaker and the pacemaker doesn't want it to. It wants to win.
As long as you have been assured that your pacemaker is fine, try to relax and remember that it's doing its job.
Take a deep breath and relax. Get up and walk around.
The feeling will pass.
This has worked for me for over 30 years with a pacemaker. My pacemaker must be doing something right!
I hope it will work for you!
Best to you Jules.
Gellia