When does it go away???!!!

I got me first PM on Dec 8,2008 (little over 3 weeks ago). The whole thing was a complete surprise to me. I went in for a physical, Dr. heard irregular heart beat, set me up for several tests, and BOOM...the evening before Thanksgiving, I'm told I need a pacemaker. They wanted me to go in that night !!!, but I put if off till after Thanksgiving. I was going 3 seconds without a heart beat. I am not sure what that means...I mean the danger of it, but the Dr. seemed quite concerned. The cardiologist that I got referred to is quite hyper, and seems to be running at least 1 hr behind every day...so when I HAVE seen him...I get a quick appointment. He was even 2 hrs late for my implantation !!! Anyway....I don't get a chance to ask questions. I was so thankful to find this website. I need so desperately to get information about what has happened to me. Though my hearbeat has gone up from 35-50 bpm to 70-85, and I know longer feel breathless, or get the dizzy (like I'm going to faint sensations) I hate this thing, because I have so many questions.

I have this tugging, tight sensation almost all the time, I feel like I have a heavy wad beneath my collarbone, and sometimes it feels more puffy than others. Does this ever go away???

And does anyone know why the seconds between hearbeats was so important???

BTW...HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!

5 Comments

It's your friend

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-01 01:01:21

"Though my hearbeat has gone up from 35-50 bpm to 70-85, and I know longer feel breathless, or get the dizzy (like I'm going to faint sensations)"

Just read what you have written and then take a good look at your feelings about it. What kind of life if any would you have without it.

Now having said that, I understand your anxiety about having the pacer. It seems to be very common. I think the only reason I haven't felt that way is that I am an engineer and feel comfortable with electronics(much more so than meds).

The pacemaker does take up some space under your skin below your collarbone. It has only been 3 weeks since the surgery so there is still some swelling left. This should subside soon and you will get used to it. Mine is no problem at all even when I do very active and rough things like driving my Jeep in the desert.

One recommendation: at your first checkup ask for a copy of the pre and post programming printout. This will tell what the settings are and how your heart is responding to the pacer. It is very helpful to have these if you aren't sure of what it is doing. Several of us here can help you understand it. This is especially important with a busy cardiologist that won't take the time to answer questions. Get the report every time you go for a checkup.

Feel free to post any questions here. You will find this a friendly and knowledgeable bunch of folks who have been through almost anything you can come up with.

best,

frank

4 weeks out for me.

by Jalapeno - 2009-01-01 01:01:39

I found out that I need one the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and had mine put in the Tuesday after. I know how you are feeling and I know how much you hate it. But like Frank says "what kind of life would you have without it?" Maybe no life. I had a friend die one year ago because her heart stopped and it didn't restart. My heart stopped and I was the lucky one. So as much as I hate this thing in my chest I also love it because I want to live. I agree with Ann about naming it - I'm still trying to settle on a name. Some of my choices are My Third Boob, Thumper, Sparky just to name a few, though I think Sparky is a better name for a Defib.

Hugs,
D

Seconds between heart beats

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-01 01:01:58

I just noticed that question after I posted my last reply. The time between beats is another way of looking at heart rate. Since there are 60 seconds in a minute, 1 second between beats is equal to 60BPM, 2 second=30BPM, and 3 seconds=20 BPM. As the time goes up your body and particularly brain, get less and less blood flow. A sustained 4-5 seconds between beats will usually cause you to lose consciousness. A slow rate like that also deprives heart muscle of oxygen and can lead to damage or arrest.

frank

Thanks...

by lookinup - 2009-01-01 09:01:47

Oh...Thank you guys. I know I'm acting like a baby with this whole thing...I just need some answers, and as I read through all these posts I hear questions just like mine that are answered by you wonderful more 'experienced' pacers.

LOL I LOVE the naming it idea. The day after the patch came off, I remember looking in the mirror crying saying to my husband that I looked like I had a Third Boob. THAT'S THE ONE !!! Thanks for the humor !!!

boobs

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-02 06:01:36

My pm is buried behind my boob rather than under the collarbone. One time when I got the battery changed my sister went along for the consult. The doctor was talking about giving me one of the smaller ones that didn't have the maximum capacity but would be easier to hide. My smart mouth sister asked the doctor if I could have two of the big ones, one for each side, cuz then I'd last twenty years AND be a D-cup. He laughed but gave me the smaller one. My sister still calls it my titanium breast implant.

Jalapeno, I vote for Thumper. I just call mine my Hunk O Titanium.

Lookinup, you are NOT acting like a baby, you are acting like someone who has just been through a lot and needs time to adjust! Learning you have a heart problem and getting a pacer take as much, if not more, emotional healing as physical.

Try Ann's idea with a list next time you go. If that still doesn't get you answers, I'd seriously consider getting a new doctor. A big part of accepting, for me at least, is understanding. I can accept just about anything if someone explains it all to me so I know WHY.

You probably still have some swelling from the implant, it may always be a bit of a lump but it should get better than it is now. A heating pad on low for 15 min a few times a day may help.

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