New to PM

Hello All,

Iam 39 years old and Iam going to have my first PM on Wednesday.I have had a 2:1 av block since childhood but never any symptoms but now Iam dizzy all the time and have spells of nausea so my doctor has insisted that I need pacing.
Iam worried how it will effect me afterwards as I have a 3 year old and I still want another child.My cardiologist has just said everything will be better after.Iam also worried about recovery time and the possiblity of getting depression. Any words of advice?

5 Comments

emotional impact?

by winesap - 2008-04-22 01:04:04

As others have indicated - allow for recovery time, recognizing a few limits and you will be fine physically. Probably feel better than you do now - certainly true for me. However I was not expecting the emotional impact I experienced. Not anything I could not cope with, but something to be aware of as a possibility that you too could experience. Be sure you have both a physical and emotional support processes in place and use both. You will find many in this group willing and capable of providing emotional support but we cannot take the place of local in-person resources. If you have had emotional problems in the past, I recommend you proactively set up at least a couple counseling sessions. Hopefully the positive physical outcomes from the pacemaker will significantly minimize any emotional side-effects for you.

Two children after PM

by Pacing13 - 2008-04-22 01:04:34

Hello mich68 -

I am 35yrs old and have been pacing for 22 years. I have two beautiful daughter and had no complications during either pregnancy. I was within 2 - 4 years post pm, in other words I had that pacemaker implanted for 2-4 years and then had my girls. Like Wingart said, cuddling was climbing on the sofa and holding them with opposite pm arm, but it worked. I found other special things to do with them while I was sitting down. Actually allowed me to spend more one on one time with each of them as I had the time to sit :)

Good luck -
Pacing 13

also 39 with first PM

by cqmccann - 2008-04-22 06:04:58

Hi,
I'm 39 and just got my PM 2 weeks ago due to fainting and low heart rate. It is still sore but I feel much better. I have an 8yr old and an 11 yr old. The PM may slow you down with your child for a couple of months because of the lifting restrictions but after that I'll bet you have lots more energy and feel stronger. Best of luck! I was worried about depression as well and still think about it but this site is very helpful and I feel like I have a huge extended family who understands.

Post PM

by kela - 2008-04-22 09:04:23

I am 36 and had my first PM a year ago. I was born with a heart block and finally had symptons. Getting the PM was the best thing ever, growing up i was always told i would have to get one eventually but kind of wish they would have done it sooner. I have so much more energy it is amazing.Its like a new toy to me. My recovery took less than 2 weeks. Hope all goes well, keep in touch.

post pm

by jay - 2008-04-22 12:04:22

hello i had my pm last year and have two girls six and twelve it took about two weeks to recover after the op but they had me up and running about in no time so you will be absolutly fine after so don,t worry good luck jay

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