AF

[tommytomato]

Hi all

I've had AF for a while now, well since Jan this year, since then I've had a pace maker fitted on the right side of my chest, my question is, is it better to live with AF than having another pace maker fitted, I am concern on reports I have read about pace maker Infections involving Staff Infections, ( Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia ) are people who are these fitted are likely to catch the staff infection are we more pone to catch it, I had a pace maker fitted for 6 weeks and I was told I had caught a Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia infection, now I'm having second foughts about having another one fitted, as I said is it better to live with AF and take pills instead of a pace maker.

thanks Tommytomato

[tommytomato]

Sorry guys

Been away, I have what they call Sick Sinus Syndrome, which is also know as bradycardia and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) from what I'm told.

which is overall is a disorder of the rhythm of the heart, or sinus node is not working as it should and Bradycardia is characterized by an abnormally slow heart rhythm.

Yer  I've had it since Janurary this year, was @ work and I wasn't able to breathe properly, found it very hard to even walk from point A to point B or do any thing really, Doc put me on blood pressure pills for hyertension and I also had Acute Pericarditis in the past 2001, I was taking Bicor but the Doc took me off them untill I have the Pace maker refitted I spose

I was surprised to have a Pace Maker fitted but was told better now than later, as to the top post I was very worried on what I read about the virus thats why I signed up and ask that question, I spose in the long run Pace Maker is better than been on pills.

TT

[Jerry_NJ]

I'm a little surprised to read you have a pace maker after only a few months with AFib.
I have suffered from chronic AFib for about 8 years, with 1 years breaks due to medications and electrocardioversions.  I have been in AFib this last cycle for almost one year, and still not talk about ablation or a pace maker.

Brooke_38 question puts it all in one possible perspective.

My sister has worn a pace maker for about 5 years, and had the battery replaced once that I can remember.  She has not had any problems with infections or with the device.  He application was to set a minimum heart rate.  She does not suffer from AFib.

[Brooke_38]

A recent study suggests that up to 20%  of patients with pacemakers or other implanted devices may be at higher risk of developing bacterial blood infections. Sometimes the device itself is the cause of the infection. Depending on the situation, physicians may elect to either treat the infection with antibiotics, or remove the pacemaker.

When you had the implant, if they also ablated the AV Node you will not have the choice to be without it. Did your Dr try other treatment options before going pacemaker route?