Can someon e offer me some advice??

[JAFinley]

I had a pacemaker implanted in June of 2001 for a disease called Sick Sinus Syndrome. The pacemaker took care of all the issues I was going through at first, but over the past few years the symptoms are returning. The PVC's are becoming extreme. I have started passing out again, and I feel exhausted. I am 31 years old, and I am really getting concerned. My father died at age 32 from a massive heart attack, and my mother has the same condition I have been diagnosed with. Do you have any suggestions on how to "fix" my PVC's? I have been talking with my doctor, but he is unsure of what the next step will be. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time.

[underinformed35]

I was just diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome as well. I was also suffering from major symptoms including thousands of pvc's a day. The doctor wants to put in a pacemaker when I go back in December for the low heart rate but he prescribed Flecainide for my symptoms and it is really working great so far. It controls the pvc's and also keeps my heart from going really low or really high and from any of the other arrythmias I was having. I know it is not right for everyone and can be dangerous, but I just wanted to let you know what has helped me with my symptoms. I know there is not a cure but quality of life has really improved for me. Good luck and keep us posted!

[banglamom]

My getting a pacemaker this year was the highlight of the year.  Unfortunately, I still have to take about 30 pills a day to try to control the rhythms.  What I am hoping for is to be able to do a surgical intervention that would eliminate ALL my own rhythms and just be completely permanently paced.  It sounds extreme, BUT... it was already attempted by ablation.  Since it couldn't be ablated, I am now ready for my md to try another approach.  I am already 80% paced... I don't think much of giving up the other 20% of I can quit taking all these meds and having problems with all the side effects.  I got here slowly and you will have to try everything before you sign up for the most invasive of procedures, but it can be done and if it can help... I am ready for an improved quality of life.

[darkphoenix]

Have you gone and had your pacemaker settings changed at all to try and combat the latest symptoms?  They do need adjusting periodically.  Also, have you had a holter test so they can actually see whats happening?

The other thing is that there are several types of pacemaker available, maybe you should ask your doctor if you now need a different type that paces you more of the time or paces different parts of your heart.

Some people are also prescribed medicines to control heart rate as well, if you are passing out you really need to persue the best treatment that you can.