This newbie wants to thank you all for this wonderful site

Three weeks ago I took a quick ride in an ambulance to emergency and subsequently learned that I needed a pacemaker. What a frightening and confusing time it has been. I had been experiencing shortness of breath and dizzy spells for a month, then on a Saturday the dizziness wouldn’t stop and included chest and shoulder pain and neck numbness, so my husband called the ambulance. I was diagnosed with 3rd degree heart block and a few days later I got my pacemaker.

I’ve always been fairly fit and careful with my diet, so heart disease was far from my mind. I’m 48 years old and couldn’t believe that at my age I would already need a pacemaker. Now that I’ve learned more and read the stories on this site I realize many of the members here are much younger.

I’ll be returning to work this week, but I’m not sure how long it will take for life to get back to normal. I’ve read here that I should be able to return to normal activities soon, which for me include hiking, biking, gardening and sailing. I’m not sure I’ll have the courage to hike and sail to remote places as I have in the past, because I’ll always worry that something will go wrong when I’m too far way from help. My cardiologist says it will take time to get my confidence back.

As I get accustomed to this new life, I will be visiting here often not just for advice but to be a part of a community that understands and is so supportive.

The stories and advice on this site have been very helpful and comforting. I want to thank you all for your contributions.

Ivana

7 Comments

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

by BillMFl - 2009-02-16 01:02:09

Like Hot Heart said, we are much better off than somebody walking around unaware of their impending problem. Once accurately dx'd we know what we are dealing with and the pm will do its job for you.

Notes from another adventurer

by ElectricFrank - 2009-02-16 01:02:44

Hi,
First off don't let the term "heart block" scare you. It makes it sound like your arteries are blocked. A much better diagnosis is AV block which means the electrical conduction between the atrium and ventricles is not conducting properly. This has nothing to do with diet or being in good shape. It is one of the easiest problems to control with a pacemaker. The pacer has two leads into your heart. One senses the contraction of the atrium and the pacer uses this to time a little jolt to the ventricles making them contract. If the pacemaker is adjusted properly you should have near normal heart action again.

At your first checkup ask them for a copy of the pre and post programming report. This will tell what the settings are on your pacer and how your heart is responding. The most common problems are upper and lower HR limit settings and having Rate Response turned on unnecessarily. The problems occur most often in people who are in good physical shape. The docs don't know how to deal with us.

You should be able to get back to full activity quickly being in good shape. I am 78 yrs so no spring chicken, but was back to walking 3 miles/day the second day out of the hospital. I have hiked at 13,000' in the Rocky Mountains with no more problem than before it all happened.

How to deal with being away from help is something we all have to live with. I kid some of my nervous friends that I could live in a motor home in the hospital parking lot to be close to help. In my case I camp in the desert in my trailer alone for 4-5 days at a time and have decided my quality of life is more important than quantity.

keep us posted and feel free to ask questions.

frank

ivana

by jessie - 2009-02-16 03:02:08

i am older but same diagnosis. out fo the blue at 64 same symptome. took them 4 months to diagnose it. it is a wonder i am here because of that. finally got a temp one and 2 days later on the way to london ontatio's university hospital for perm 2 lead medtronic. just love to be active and just to let you know it took me 3 months to get my strength back take care jessie p.s. went to barcelona in july and then a cruise around 5 different countries. amazing especially sicily.

Welcome to the club

by kiwi - 2009-02-16 03:02:26

I am 45 and had a pacemaker implant last October after symptoms similar to yours. I had a few complications which slowed my recovery, but now I feel great.
It certainly gave me a fright when I was initially diagnosed but like you, this site proved invaluable to me and assured me all would be ok.
I think the worst thing now is finding a comfortable position when I sleep, but if that is the price for saving my life, its well worth it!

welcome

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-16 07:02:32

Welcome Ivana! I'm sorry to hear you had such a shock. It's never easy learning we're not as healthy as we thought we were. As Frank said, our problem has nothing to do with lifestyle and how we take care of ourselves, it's an electrical short circuit. As problems go, this is an easy one to fix. Our hearts are setting the pace and doing the beating, the pm just steps in when needed to complete the circuit. Being fit means you will recover that much more quickly, and you will likely find that once you bounce back you will have more stamina than you did before.

I was born with my 3rd degree hb and have had a pm for 15 yrs. I am 42 now and still the youngest at my cardiologist's office. The first few years, I was a bit paranoid about traveling and being in remote places, but the longer you have it the more you will come to learn that these things are incredibly reliable, and aside from avoiding magnets we can have a perfectly normal, full, active lifestyle. I honestly don't give it a thought now. Like Frank, I live life to the fullest and am very active, and I don't give a thought to how far the nearest hospital is when I plan a trip. That security comes with time. You'll get there. :o)

Please don't be shy about asking questions or coming to us to vent/get support/whatever you need. We've all been there and we're happy to help where we can.

Hi

by Rattle Box - 2009-02-16 07:02:41

I was 46, female and active (hiking, swimming' river riding etc) also no warning. Life will be different, but it will also be good. Keep you chin up and hang in there along with the rest of us. This site is a wonderful place for information and support.

And hello from me!!! lol

by Hot Heart - 2009-02-16 09:02:29

Hi Ivana, similar scenario, got my pm on halloween! lol.

I hadnt actually had any symptoms at all, gym member, walker, dancer, all at 55! BUT..............went for lipo on chubby knees, they picked it up and wham, ambulance, blue lights, emergency pm, 3rd degree heart block.

I did have a nasty chest infection in September, no idea really if that had anything to do with it.

To be honest was scared to death when i came home, but am settling down now, been on a few flights, so not scared of the airport any more, back doing my long walks, not quite as long but still 6 or 7 miles and danced the night away on valentines eve.

You are a member of an extremely exclusive club, we must really be the lucky ones, not one of the walking time bombs who dont realise theyve an AV problem.

Theyre a great crowd on here, supportive, funny and informative, have fun!! xx

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You have a new body part.

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This is my second Christmas with my pacemaker and I am so happy to be with my family.