Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Had my pacemaker 5 years and it has changed the way I live but i still do most of the things but maybe in a different way

I have only had my pacemaker for 4 months, so it had been challenging to know what is “normal” versus what is to be concerned about. I have experienced a very rapid loss of battery power, and now need battery replacement in 4.5 years. Doctor has confirmed His Bundle lead has not moved. At times, I have a sensation of pain, almost a feeling of electrical shock around my incision site, especially when sleeping on my left side. So I don’t! And at times, dull pain in my upper throat area. Feeling great otherwise and back to running 5 days a week (3-5 miles).

Thanks Ceepster.

@lacudia Hello - I was wondering how you are doing after the AV node ablation and pacemaker implant. I find that most pacemaker recipients have it because of bradycardia or some sort of heart block. I am particularly interested in dual chamber PMs meant for Afib and flutter and how it all works. My EP is advocating it as a last resort should all the other options - 3rd ablation, propafenone, amiodarone, etc. does not work. Thanks.

I am a 53 y/o female in excellent health. Former college athlete and marathon runner. Always had mitral valve prolapse, PVCs, but onset of new systems this past Sept. Diagnosed in February with exercise-induced VTac, and then Bradycardia, and then total heart block shortly thereafter. HR dipped to 27 as I awaited results of Lyme disease test. It was negative, and His-pacemaker implanted. Now new issue with AFib event, and more adjustments needed for more voltage. Battery life of my 3 mo old pacemaker is now 4.5 years. Is is common to have so many different things all at once? I am on no meds and never have been. Looking for guidance before considering potential ablation and potential move of pacemaker lead. Everything seems so sudden, especially after losing my mom in August.

I have dual chamber PM for bradycardia as result of my EP wanting to put me on Sotalol. That part works fine.. no exercise restriction( treadmill). But as for PM intervening an aFib episode, so far it hasn’t. It’s a low % success rate & I am one.Disappointed but Sotalol seems to help self convert me.. so that’s good. Sotalol is safer than Flecainide for structural heart disease ( valve issues). Hope this helps answer your concerns.

Hi @colleenyoung . I am 80 years old play tennis 3-4 days / week for 1 1/2 hours (doubles) and have a personal trainer for 2 days/ week. I don’t have shortness of breath and am not fatigued. However my rating pulse is about 50 and sometimes in the 40s. I had an Echo Cardiogram and a TEE. They showed a significant murmur and left branch bundle block. My mayo cardiologist is suggesting a pacemaker. My local ( Honolulu) cardiologist agrees the results are poor but says that tests are tests and since I feel well and am active I shouldn’t have a pacemaker unless I want too. What do you think?

Sounds like you have the pulse of an athlete, 50-40. I have an 85 year old friend who also trains hard and has that same pulse. Hard to have two opinions, for sure! Congratulations on having kept so fit!!

My long time friend's mother is 98 years old, lives on her own, is as sharp as a tack, still drives...and has a heart rate in the 40s...and has had such a slow pulse for years. Apparently she is not on any medication for any condition.

Bravo to all of you! Thank
You for sharing your stories that will give hope and inspiration !