depression

[petey591]

is depression after pacemaker implant common. i receided the ph 3 weeks ago and ver nervous about going out of house alone


This discussion is related to Re: Pacemaker at 31?.

[grendslori]

Petey, you will get past this, believe it or not. The unknown is sometimes scary, but time will prove to you that things are going well. When my daughter got her duel chamber pacemaker, the problems she was having went away for several years. She was 8 when she got her pacer. Give yourself some time.

[petey591]

i still have not gone out alone i went food shopping with my son and walked around the store alone still feel a little weak and scared

petey591

[Flycaster305]

kenkeith is on the money, we all get depressed, I think when we lose some control of natural functions.

That being said, I've had a pacemaker for 1,5 years, and my life is much fuller because of it.  Today I worked out on an elliptical machine for 45 minutes and watched my heartrate bounce around as the pacer started anticipating my activity, and it settled in at a perfect rate.  I had a great workout.  Having the pacer inserted improved my quality of life tremendously, and I'm betting if you give your pacer a chance, you will find the same thing.  I'd start with walks around the block, then lengthen them, finally challenge yourself, and I'm just betting you will agree with me in a month or so.  I work as an advocate with people who have pacers inserted, the feedback is almost 100% positive.

If you venture out, let us know how it goes.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[kenkeith]

There is a very physiological response that a patient generally gets after a major episode, and often it feels like depression, but it is not a psychological depression it is grief for a loss of the system's normal physical functionality. The good news it isn't psychological depression, but just an expected phase with limited duration.