Anyone have a pacemaker?

I may need a pacemaker.  The EP will tell me after my EP study on the 26th.  My EP said I would need to take medication with the pacemaker. Can anyone tell me what kind of med that would be? Can anyone tell me what it's like to have one?  Any problems that come from wearing one?  Is it a long recovery period?

I was to nervous to ask much about the pacemaker because I was asking questions about the EP study.  If I have to get a pacemake, it will be done on the 10th so my son can come be with me during recovery.  

Anything anyone can tell me would be appreciated.  

[sian333]

What condition do you have that requires you to have the PM?

Sick Sinus Syndrome?

Having a PM isn't a set back at all. You can live a normal active life. I think it takes a few weeks to feel back to normal after the implant.

There's a great website here: www.*****************

I hope this helps. : ]

[sian333]

P.S. pacemakerclub[dot]com

[chicky2001]

I have pauses of 1.9 seconds and  they are close together.  I haven't been diagnosed and the EP will know more after the EP study. I guess the monitors I have worn can't give a total picture of what is wrong.   It's not a sure thing I will need a pacemaker yet.
I have a slow heartbeat which has gotten progressively slower over time. Since April it has been more and more noticeable and I feel crappy more and more. Since I feel every single pause, I am miserable and feel bad.   I haven't passed out or felt pain, but I feel woozie sometimes and have to stop to catch my breath.  Thanks for the link.

PS  My cardio sent me to the EP for evaluation on needing a pacemaker.

[Pamz]

I got a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted the end of June.  The surgery is only a couple of hours and they kept me overnight.  I was a little sore but nothing like other surgeries I've had.  I recovered extremely quickly.  They say not to raise your arm for the first week, no lifting, pushing or pulling for 6 weeks, no jogging or cardio workout for 4-5 weeks.  Pretty much the same restrictions as with any surgery except you have to be really careful not to pull the leads out of your heart.  I have Short QT syndrome and don't take any medicine.  I don't have any restrictions now.  The scar is almost invisible but it does itch and you can see the device but not too bad, it's half the size of a deck of cards.  Overall, it's not too bad - good luck!!

[Mom2four85]

I had an ablation 1 year ago for an enormous amount of pvc's and see if they could find the reason for my VT, but I had also been having bouts of Bradycardia and fainting episodes.  They found out during a HuTT (tilt test) I have neurocardiogenic syncope/OI; and during my EPS I have malignant pvc's that cause my VT and Vfib episodes (polymorphic VT runs); my EP decided to implant a Boston Scientific Teligen 100 (google it or go to BS website) it's tiny and very thin so you don't really see it.

The surgery for the PM/ICD was ok; I was extremely sore but I had 3 procedures during that week so yours may not be the same.  If you're uncomfortable or in pain they'll give you something for it and if no complications then recovery is pretty quick.  After the implant, they will test your PM and lead placement and keep a check on it to make sure they stay planted right.  I had a sling that I had to wear for almost 4 months after because my lead placement wasn't right and they didn't want me to move my arm much.

I had to stay on meds after but that was for my other problems - depends on your dx and situation.

[ksig]

I am on my second pacer and have never really had any difficulty with pain.  The initial implant had me wear a sling for about 10 days so that the leads would not come loose.  I did have a dull ache but never really any pain.  I was in the hospital for a couple of days. The second pacer was much easier than the first.  I was in an out of the hospital   in the same day and did not have much discomfort at all and I did not have to wear a sling.   6 days after I was implanted this last time I flew out of state and did wear a sling on the flight so that other people would be careful around me   and I would not do something to stress the incision.  Life on a pacer is grand.  I can do just about anything.
ksig                  

[kay1951]

Hi, this is kay1951. I have alot of pvc. for a long time pretty much all the time and I do know when my heart skips a beat or more then one. It's a strange and scary sensation to know that you're heart is not beating the way it should. I have an apt. with my ep sept. 1st. I guess to see if anything has changed or if I may possibly need a pacemaker.I have a low pulse. Usually in the 50's. I think this may be the reason for feeling lightheaded and very tired.I was alway's afraid to have a pacemaker as I thought you could hear it. That would realy bother me! and it is placed completlly under the skin i hope, or does it stick out some. You're post was excelent and makes peolple think that are facing the same situation. Glad you are doing well. I'am 59 could this present a problem because of my age if i need one? Would love to hear from you anytime. Stay well. kay1951

[ksig]

Yes, the pacemaker is placed in a pocket just under your skin.  Mine is located just below my left shoulder and right above my left breast.  Initially you can see a lump under the skin, as the surgical site is swollen.  Once the swelling has subsided, and the incision has healed, you have a hard time seeing where the pacer is.  You cannot hear it or see it.  Most of the time I do not even know it is there.  I am a bit older than you, and had my first pacer implanted in my 50s. The pacer has not held me back.  I am as more active than ever.  I have energy and my stamina improved almost immediately when I first got my pacer.  I put the invention of the pacer right up there with antibiotics.
ksig

[chicky2001]

Thanks for all the answers.  I am scheduled for my EP study on the 26th, day after tomorrow.  I am scared but know I have to go through with it to feel better.  If I need a pacemaker, it will be installed on the 10th of September so my son can be with me.

[chicky2001]

I will stay in touch with my results ect.  This is becoming an adventure.  Silly thought, eh?
Have you had an EP study?

What I worry about is if I can feel skipped beats so easy, will I feel the pacemaker working.
Talk about a nightmare.

Take care and I will report on the results of the EP study and my getting a pacer or not.

[Mom2four85]

chicky2001

I had an EP study with ablation for my pvc's - 50,000+ daily; and I felt them all the time.  It's normal to wonder about what's going to happen, but if your EPS shows something they will probably try to correct them.   I haven't felt my PM working; but I do when the ICD part kicks me if my HR gets out of control.  

After you recover from the procedure fully, you will never even know the PM is there and it may help alot if you have bradycardia episodes and will help you feel better.

[chicky2001]

I had my EP study yesterday.  I will say it was painful in both groins, but not unbearable.  I wasn't medicated as much as with the cardio cath.  The EP study went on for two hours.
I have sick sinus syndrome.  There are two areas that need an ablation.  I also definitely need a pacemaker.  The EP and myself had decided to do the EP study and ablation on this go round and the pacemaker on the 10th when my son could come back to be with me.

My EP did not do the ablation.  She is going to do the ablation on the 10th when the pacemaker is right there to put in.  She said I have an area on the right and left side of my heart to ablate.  One could be playing off the other and only one ablation might work, but doesn't know.  

So back I go the 10th and will have another EP study and ablation.  At least this time I will be out more from medication because all the mapping was done.  

My EP does not want me driving.  She said she found my heart takes 7 seconds to recover at times..  That doesn't mean the pause is 7 seconds, but the total recovery from it.  

She said I am not in danger of sudden death.  

So now I feel the same.  CRAPPY.  That will all change after the 10th.  

[Mom2four85]

ahhh Chicky2001 that is good and bad news; sorry you're painful and going through so much, but good news you have an answer and will hopefully get it corrected and will hopefully feel better after the ablation and PM implant on the 10th.

If your heart takes that long to recover it's probably a good thing not to drive; did she say after surgery you would be cleared of that restriction?

good luck and please post how you're doing after your procedures

[chicky2001]

After the PM she will have me on restricted driving for a while.  She did say since I had no passing out incidents yet, I will probably be back to driving sooner than someone who suffered fainting spells before the pacemaker. There is also the matter of not being able to lift my left arm above my shoulder for some time.  

[Mom2four85]

chicky2001 - oh yeah the armo not above the shoulder can be a pain I had almost 4 months instead of normal 2 weeks because of lead placement; and no lifting anything more than 10 lbs for quite a bit also

[chicky2001]

I was always feeling woozy like I was heading to passing out but didn't.  I guess that has to do with the 7 second recovery.  I have been lucky in that regard.  

One time, about 5 months ago, I got lost coming home. It took a very long time to find my house.   I really felt odd.  I spent two days after that throwing up.  The doc thinks that had to do with my heart.  My primary rushed me in for a cat scan at the time and nothing was wrong with my brain.  

[Mom2four85]

if that keeps happening after your implant; you may want to mention to your doctor about a head up tilt table test or TTT to see if there's something else going on also