Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Hi @bonniecanby,

There are a few Connect members who may be able to provide some insight; please meet @martishka, @guardian, @bevmaier, @gonefishinmt.
Bonnie, could you give us a few more details? Do you have afib, even after the ablation was done?

I do not have a-fib since my ablation. I was told they did the ablation on the AV node (where the heart normally receives the impulse to beat) so I am now pacemaker dependent. Without it, I do not have a heartbeat.<br>

The PM is giving me a steady heart beat however they tell me here at mayo that the artrial parrt of my heart is still in a-fib.

I had the abilation dThey told me that the atrial's were still in a-fib vut the PM was keeping the ventrials beating at 70-80 bpm and regular,

Wish I could be helpful for you. I am coming on two years with a PM in June-bradycardia. At my last visit with the cardiac nurse in Jan. 2017 she could tell that I had two bouts of Afib several months apart and of course I couldn't remember any correlation so we are treating with baby aspirin daily. Fatigue comes and goes but I am keeping a closer eye on the lightheadedness. That drives me crazy.

It's good to hear from you, @bevmaier, and really appreciate your input. I noticed from your past messages that you had some concerns about the recurrence of rheumatic fever; we'd love to know how you are doing now?

No sure if I read this correctly but I haven't had rheumatic
fever.

<br>---- Mayo Clinic Connect wrote: <br>Hi,<br>I'm doing great from the rheumatic fever. I had that when I was only 9 yrs. old and now am 74. So during my teen years and early 20's I continued to improve yet there was much scar tissue left on my heart. By the time I really needed it, technology had caught up to my situation and I was able to get my mitral valve replaced (with a metal valve) and that covered things for a while. then a few yrs. later, I started into a-fib which remained an ongoing problem until I had the ablation and pacemaker about 3 yrs. ago. The medication usually used for a-fib - well I think I had gone thru all of them many time over. They would last about 2 months, then just quit working, so on to the next one. It got to the point we were going back and trying some of the first ones I ever used. But, in the end, nothing would bring the heart rate down, so we opted for this last procedure. I am, for the most part, pleased with this, but the quality of life is not the same. I am pretty limited in how far I can walk,etc. Otherwise, all is well and I guess this saved my little life. How are things with you and what's your story of where this all began for you.<br>Beverly<br>

<br>---- Mayo Clinic Connect wrote: <br>Hi,<br>I've only had one very short lived episode of A-fib since the PM. Since my PM creates every heartbeat I have, quite naturally my first battery will not last as long as someone's who only kicking in now and the. But, worse things have happened than needing a replacement PM. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. What is your current situation and I hope you are doing well.<br>Beverly<br>

My story...probably started 30 years ago more or less. By happenstance I was found to have junctional node rhythm. Saw a very reputable cardiologist at KUMC in KC who put me through a battery of tests and then on a medication used for asthmatics which made my heart race and was a quick way to lose weight-5 pounds in a week but I just couldn't function. Everything inside was as if someone had their foot on the gas pedal and I couldn't slow down so my medication was cut in half and that was not helpful so the cardiologist thought I would be fine and not to be concerned so I moved on with my life. Fast forward to early 2015 I went to my primary care provider with the compliant that I felt like the blood flow to my head wasn't going all the way up-crazy I know but that's how it felt-unbeknownst to me it was lightheadedness I was experiencing. So they found that I had a very low heart rate which is common in marathon runners which I am not or heart so I went through a battery of tests from an echocardiogram to a stress test that flipped out the technologist to a month long cardiac monitor which indicated I had 6 second pauses in my heart beats. During that stent I firmly believe that God intervened twice or I might not be here today. In June 2015 the pacemaker was inserted and life has been an adjustment. As a side note in December 2014 I had a calcium cardiac test which didn't detect any plaque and in 2015 prior to the PM placement I had a CT vein mapping that showed I have a strong heart just no rhythm. I try to keep a sense of humor and if I need a nap and I can't power through I take one. In April i will turn 63. I take metoprolol 25mg that I cut in half and take twice a day. I'm noticing some changes that I haven't addressed yet as I am trying to rule out if they are stress related. Life sometimes gets in the way and it has recently settled down. I believe I am in a win-win situation. Each day I wake up and I am here I am very thankful and if that changes and I have a heavenly address I will have reach my final destination.

Lou