Is a pacemaker the only/best choice?

[paula]

My husband had two instances when he blacked out after ending a jogging session without an appropriate cool down.  His doctor sent him to a cardiologist, and the stress test found that after the stress test ended his heart had several two and three second pauses.  The recommendation was that a pacemaker be installed.  The other tests showed his heart to be otherwise healthy.  He is 43, and generally in good health.  Does a pacemaker sound like the right way to go?  Are there any other options or areas that should be checked? Thank you for this service.

[PJ]

It's been two weeks since my husbands surgery, and he is doing fine, other than feeling a little sad.  I think it is perhaps mourning what has been up to now his 'good health. But so far, so good.  His doctor is going to let him start running again.  Thanks again for all your support.

[Deb]

Mark,

Yes, there can be something wrong with your pacer.  It may need an adjustment in the timing intervals, and or, you may have something called pacemaker syndrome.  Sometimes this happens if you have a single chamber and you needed a dual chamber one.  At times a pacemaker that is not set right, may cause other arrhythmias that you did not have before the pacer.  It is complicated, but it can happen.  BUT you should not feel faint either! You need to ask, plead,jump up and down and flat out DEMAND that your doctor do a holter monitor to see what is going on.  That will show up any strange pacing that may be going on.  Make sure they do a 48 hour one.  Was the doctor who placed it a cardiologist, or an EP doctor?  You can mail me at ***@****

But you must talk to your doctor right away!

[mark v]

I've had a pacemaker for 1 year now and I am only 24. I would like to know if any one has any problems with their pacer.I have been getting extra beats and pains and feeling faint after them.  I would like to know if any one else has these problems.                  concerned.

[Denise From Sydney Australia]

I have had a pacemaker for 35 years.  I have written into
the Pacemaker Club to let everyone know who is being paced or
is getting a pacemaker not to worry about it..  After all these
years I am going well.
Married with 4 kids and simply enjoying life.  
My only concern is as I am getting older I get alot of PVC's.
My cardio saids everything is okay and the PVC's are benign.
Is there anyone out there who has a pacemaker and gets extra beats.

Good luck to fellow pacers

[Bill Serrahn]

I had a few bad episodes of near passing out accompanied by nausea, which my cardiologist diagnosed as vasal-vagal response.  

In my case, I stongly believe that it was caused by discontinuing use of the beta blocker Atenolol, which I had been using for 9 months.  I believe that the drug did something to desensitize or upset the balance of my autonomic system.  Interestingly, beta blockers are prescribed as the treatment for this condition.

I resisted advice to go back on beta blockers, and now that I haven't used Atenolol for a couple of months, I haven't had another episode.

Perhaps some drug or condition is affecting your husband's autonomic system.  I definitely would explore this before going for the pacemaker.  

[paula]

Thanks, all of you. No, he isn't on any medication, nor has he been on any in the last year. He doesn't drink or smoke. His surgery is scheduled for Thursday--I guess I wanted to be assured he is doing the right thing.

Jan--he's the same age as when you got yours. Thanks for your reassurance. Any suggestions as what to expect following the surgery? Will he feel like being up and around?  The insurance insists on doing it as outpatient, and I'm a little concerned.
Thanks all for your support and suggestions.

[Just a comment about EP.]

Hi Paula,

I too had a pacer implanted at 42 because of passingout many times and then I was in the ER at work one day, and passed out on the monitor with Sinus arrest 2 times!  So I got mine.  There are questions that need to be asked before the implant.  I work with a support group for pacer patients on the Internet.  You can mail me at  ***@****.  

Where is he having it done?  I know many cardio docs all over the US.

Take care

[My experience]

Unfortunately, I don't remember my surgery when I was 44 (I had "died", was revived through CPR and paddles, and a week later got a combination defibrillator/pacemaker.)  I am scheduled for replacement surgery tomorrow, Wednesday, which is also being done on an outpatient basis.  I found an informative web side last night about pacemaker replacement.  It is
www.medtronic.com/brady/patient/questions/faqplace.html.
It confirms this is usually done on an outpatient basis.  I'd be happy to write you by email if you have any questions.

[Lenore Carfora]

To Ben:

The chat sounds like a great idea but when I pull up "people" on my AOL Instant messenger, there is no choice that says "find a chat". I see "invite a buddy to chat" but not "find a chat". Any suggestions? Thanks, Lenore

[My experience]

A pacemaker is not a bad thing; I got mine at the age of 44 (I'm 47 now) and can't even tell I'm being paced.

[Ben, Ohio]

Paula, is your husband on any beta blockers or heart medication of any type?
I had the Ross [Procedure done 8-8-00 and had a similar incident following a post op stress test. I was admitted for evaluation of the problem and it was decided that it was due to improper medication/ amounts.
I hope this helps.

Ben
***@****

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Since he did have heart pauses documented after exercise and since he has passed out twice already, a pacemaker sounds quite reasonable. I am assuming that he is not taking any medications that would slow down his heart rate excessively.