Pacemaker

[petc3]

hi, finally the doctor said i should go for a pacemaker dual chamber as my heart is missing beats and slow. can those who already went for this type of operation share their experience with me please. and can you tell me if it does cost a lot, is there any complication after operation? is there any thing i should know? will my life be back to normal? as now i can't even work!!!

[Jerry_NJ]

I have a 76 year old sister who has been using a pacemaker to address a too slow HR, it hit her a number of year back (I estimate 5-6 years) when the low HR contributed to her passing out and falling down a few steps on the back porch.  She has had no problems since.

While she lives a couple thousand miles from me I do see her about once a year and talk with her on the telephone every few months, and she is doing fine with the pacemaker.  

I also have a neighbor who's 84+ father got a pacemaker a few weeks back. He seems to be doing well with it and had very little "down time", i.e., he was up and on his feet (I don't know about lifting weight limitations - maybe it was 10 pounds) during the early stage.  He seems to be doing fine with the device.  I see him more often than my sister, but not on a daily basis.

[petc3]

thanks for your answer, really my father being someone who loves work doesn't find it easy to stay in bed everyday. for sure in the next two week we will go for it.

thanks again

[banglamom]

I got a pacer like that this March.  It has been THE best part of 2008.  There is only minimal maintenance necessary and it made me feel SO much better.  I haven't passed out since then.  It doesn't take away all the problems but it is MORE than worth it.  For a week you can't raise your arm up.  For a month, nothing heavier than a gallon of milk while the wires become part of the myocardium.  It hurt some, but it certainly doesn't anymore.  I got it as a "back-up" pacer, but my heart took to it right away.  I am almost 100% paced.  It does a better job than my heart ever did anyway.  Don't be afraid to move on this one.  I tell my cardiologist that it comes with my highest recommendation.  They are expensive to say the least, but I hope there is some insurance involved here.  At 71, it should be covered by medicare.

I hope it comes off to be as good an experience as mine has been.

[petc3]

sorry i forgot to write it was for my dad who is 71years old.