Colds, Flu, Etc

I have had several people, incl pharmacists, mention that I need to be very careful if I get sick. Since PM is a foreign body in your body, you can possibly get things more severe or with complications that might not have have happened before. Anyone have comments on this????

6 Comments

never heard of that

by Tracey_E - 2008-11-09 11:11:40

We need to be careful of infections that can target the heart and it's common to get prophylactic antibiotics when we have other medical procedures or dental work, but I never heard of an increased chance of problems just from the cold and flu.

Feeling better than ever

by pacergirl - 2008-11-09 11:11:43

I wonder sometimes just what is their point when they say these things to me...

I haven't felt this good in years. Even after being in a car accident last week I was still better off than I would have been without my PM. I am able to get my exercise, eat what I like, hold down a full time job, have a hubby and keep in touch with my friends. I haven't been sick for awhile and I fight off illnesses faster than before the PM.

I wonder about what facts, other than having a "foreign body" inside my body people base their thoughts on.... i think of my PM as no different than my crowns on my teeth!

Pacergirl

Curious

by mamafrey - 2008-11-10 03:11:11

I personally get sick a lot since I have had my PM...Of course, I am alive and I can handle the colds and congestions. I have had pneumonia twice for a month at a time. I never thought that it was the PM. Just life.
I do however get very tired. I have small kiddos and I work full time. Since my PM I am much get tired easly. Any ideas from anyone else?
My husband's pawpaw is 84 with a PM and he gets tired easly. I can't really compare since I'm only 33. It's almost funny when we talk about our symptoms to each other.

tired

by Tracey_E - 2008-11-10 07:11:38

mamafrey,
Are tired, as in sleepy all day, or tired as in lack of energy? If lack of energy, is it all the time or on exertion? If it's on exertion, ask for a stress test. It may be that your settings need tweaked and that's the easiest way to find out what's going on, by letting them watch your hr go up as you exercise.

Are you on medications that have a side effect of getting tired? Beta blockers are top of the list for tiring side effects.

Have you ever had a sleep study? They haven't found a reason, but a few studies indicate that a higher number of heart patients seem to have sleep apnea (not actually *high*, but higher than the rest of the population)

Or it could just be kids and the full time job! Both will wear you out. ;o)

response to Curious

by mjmj6 - 2008-11-10 11:11:31

I too am definitely more tired since having my pacemaker implanted almost 3 years ago - - - 'tired' as in I have to watch how much I do - pick and choose, as it is like there is only so much energy available and then that is it. I don't start off tired in the morning - it just depends how much I try to fit into my day. I am 47, have 4 grown children, 1 granddaughter and work full time - - and I have had ALL the tests done to tweak this and that and nothing changes it. Don't get me wrong - I am NOT complaining - I thank God everyday for my pm - I am so grateful to still be here. I concur with mamafrey - I get tired much more easily. I have just learned to live with it as it being the cost of my 'life-extension' ;-)

cheers!

Flu and Cold Season

by PeggyR - 2008-11-12 09:11:23

It is amazing how many "little things" change after PM, but the alternative wasn't good, lol. Don't mind paying attention to which otc meds I might take, or better yet what is in the food we eat and taking better care of myself in general. I plan on taking as much care as possible, washing hands often, use the wipes for the shopping cart handles, drinking loads of liquids, keeping on top of vitamins and/or meds (thank goodness I'm not on any meds) and everything else that makes sense. Hope all of you are doing well and I appreciate the comments and people on this site!!! Remember "Always blessings, never losses"

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