Newbie needing info on CHf and PM

Hi, I'm Brenda. Soooo glad I found this site!!! I am 54, had a heart attack at 39....dx with DCM in 2002, cancer and radiation in 2007. I have been doing fine til the last couple of years and now I have almost zero energy.

I saw a new cardiologist recently. He ordered a cardiac MRI which I had Monday. Long story short, he said I am a candidate for a CRTD fibrilator (does that sound right?). Option B would be a heart transplant. I have an enlarged heart, LBBB, severe CHF (his words).

He does not *install* PM so I am waiting for another doctor to work me into his schedule.

I have to admit I had an emotional day yesterday. I knew my heart was bad, but not bad enough for anyone to utter heart transplant. I'm better today, mentally, and have faith in the Lord and pray for his will to be done.

Sorry to ramble. I am jumping all over this site trying to find other people's stories about why they got a PM.......why some have had 4 already and just trying to educate myself and get support.

Thanks for reading and any input in very appreciated!

Brenda

5 Comments

lbbb

by skye - 2009-03-25 06:03:06

Hi Brenda... Im Skye. I too have LBBB wkich was diagnosed in Jan 2005, I was 45 yrs old! at that time my ejection fraction was 81% which was amazing. By sept my E F was down to 35% and was suffering from CHF and cardiomyopathy. My bi ventricular pm was put in nov 2 2005.. Last Echo was in the fall and my E F is up to 60% and No longer have any signs of CHF or cardiomyopathy.... I am paced 100 % of the time and had to have a replacement jan 22 2009 b/c of battery life. I guess I am telling you there is hope and it is amazing what they can do... keep the faith and let me kno if you need to chat!

CRT

by AlmostTexan - 2009-03-25 07:03:16

Hi,
I'm new here and I haven't had your experience but I do know that they did a big study of CRT type pacemakers. It was called CARE-HF. Anyway, in the study, they found out that people who get CRT-type pacing can have experiences like the one Skye just posted, that is, they can have their heart condition improve and sometimes dramatically.

The study is pretty dense and hard to read (I'm a medical writer so I look at this kind of stuff) but the idea is that CRT pacing gets your heart back to beating in a more normal pattern and allows it to heal itself to some degree. It does not work for everybody so I can't guarantee this, I just want to share that there is real, hard-core scientific evidence that CRT devices can do a lot of good for the right people.
Mandy

Hi Brenda

by walkerd - 2009-03-26 05:03:30

Isnt that transplant stuff enough to set u into orbit. lol. I know when those words were utterd to me I went into shock. Im not sure about your conditions because I dont even know what they are, but I can relate to haveing a bad heart and hearing those words. You have already been thru alot of trials and made it thru, you will make it thru this one too. Are they doing any other tests? Did they give you a cath? There are many many helpful sites I have found during my months of researching on the net, webmd,chfpatients.com,,heart.org.,medtronic.com, there are lots out there to help, inform, but I for one sometimes wished I hadnt found some info, but it does make you come to grips with some things. Good luck! Try to smile Brenda. you can pm me if you want to talk.
dave

Thank you all

by Brendakt54 - 2009-03-26 09:03:09

What a nice group of people here!! I really appreciate the kind replies and offers to chat. I will most certainly do that. I did go to the chat board, but so much going on there at the time that I didn't want to butt in.

I have tried to find people's stories about getting a pacemaker as I would like to know details about the recovery process. I was told I'd wear a sling for a couple of days but then I read where you need to *baby* the left side for a few weeks. Just wondering if I will need help washing my hair, making my bed, etc.....

I'm a tough bird I think, although this latest has been a real eye opener....haha.

So thanks again. I'll be lurking and learning. Y'all have a feel good, laugh out loud kind of day.

Love,
Brenda

welcome Brenda

by verger - 2009-03-26 11:03:52

yeah, it's always a little rough to hear that word 'transplant' for the 1st time. i think my jaw fell to the floor in disbelief, but now i've heard it from 2 other cardiologists, but don't give in that easy.
i'm a firm advocate for adult stem cell implatation for heart regeneration, i've compiled quite a few sites, etc on the subject.
visit http://newayswealth.stumbleupon.com

read and learn, there are options out there that aren't mainstream yet.
verger

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.