Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Have had pacemaker for almost 7 yrs. went along for first 4 years having arrythms many nights , skipped beats many nights, was affecting my balance, then. Two years ago startred researching, found out that there are things that triggered mine , like alcohol , any kind and very small amounts ( no more glass of wine before dinner) . Getting too hot working yard, getting too upset over things . Started to chsnging my lifestyle to try to avoid these things, now my pacemaker dr says that I have arrythms less than one percent of time. They also gave me a latitudes ( small machine that is connected to internet all the time, is on network but not active, the dr checks in on my pacemaker automatically from time to time without my even knowing) AFib never goes away, but it less active.

PS. Caffine in coffee or tea. Decaf coffee now.

Pace maker was no big deal. My irregular heart could throw a clot, so the implant was a demand 60. I check with the cardiologist office once a year for a produce tech who does some test and battery life.. I have mine 8 years and battery still good for 10 more. I am 90 yrs old. The tech goes into surgery to turn it off.. They did not have to turn it off before neck surgery, but came and tested me an hour before surgery. I do not know it is there. Big deal. I have 2 total knees, C3-4 fusion, L3-4 fusion and a nail for the Talus, calcaneous ankle. I am active in the gym. Oh! I never knew how much I needed one, until I had it. My energy level doubled. Love your heart. Keep it happy with exercise and diet that opens the blood vessels . My heart is my best friend and I respect its needs.

Hello @cupcake1979,

Welcome to Connect; I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well, and we're glad that you've joined us.

We have an active discussion about pacemakers (and heart rhythm issues), which you may wish to see:
– Pacemaker recipients: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pacemaker-recipients/
If you wish, you can post your concerns in that conversations as well.

Meanwhile, I'm sure that Connect members @balubeje @ronbee @jimana @martishka @billmichalski @sotiredofit @ricke62 @catygirl @bevtar98 @marke92 @bibi12 will return to share their experiences with you.

@cherfenn @oldkarl @incrediblemulk98 have discussed heart rhythm issues like tachy-brady syndrome (sick sinus syndrome), and I wonder if they have more insight to offer?
Here's some information about sick sinus syndrome from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sick-sinus-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20029161

@cupcake1979, since you mentioned, "...am currently experience constant chest pains..." may I ask if your health care team has ruled out any coronary blockage? Are you able to take a lower dose of the beta blocker?

Just a few small things. First, exactly where in your chest do you hurt, and what does it feel like? Morie Gertz, of Mayo-MN, in "Amyloidosis --Diagnosis and treatment" points out that a line of pain between the point of the shoulder and the nipple often shows a sick spleen. A heavy pain in the center is often the heart, or a problem with the sternum. I had some success with my tachy-brady when I had a full course of EECP. It is painless, and did help after a few months after treatment. I doubted it at first, but eventually came around when the bad stuff eased. I still have some, but not nearly as bad. My pulse runs from 45-153 on any given day. It was running 40-175 while resting.

I am always intrigued with those of us who have received Pacemakers and our symptoms and reasons for our new best friend is as individually based as we are unique. Personally, I think it takes time for our bodies to adapt and adjust to the PM. Our heart has been fatigued for so long and use to doing its on rhythm now that an insert has been placed to help and assist I'm wondering if time and medication adjustments are apart of the equation. I've not had constant chest pains or anything that I would call chest pains. My symptom is more like a congested freeway at times and now those times are few and far apart. By this I mean who's in charge the PM or the heart once they figure that out life is good. Once I learned not to dwell on my PM life has been more normal. I'm pretty regular on working out several times a week and I find that most helpful. The reason I have a PM is due to bradycardia and having 6 second pauses. I have a new normal and we hit two years in June.

I had a pacemaker dual chamber in January due to my heart stopping. I have since in the last 10 days experienced low blood pressure tachy. I was placed on beta blocker which landed me in the er due to heart rate dropping to 47. Echocardiagram comes back normal also blood test along with ekg. I am currently experience constant chest pains, migraines, shortness of breath and weakness. Can anyone shed any light

My doctor said my arrthymia might eventually contribute to a stroke. I had a St. Jude maker pace maker put in under anathesia in the operating room with a team at the Heart Hospital in Alburquerque, NM about 5 years ago. I was aware of the pace maker for about 1 week. Then, I forgot about it . Mine is a DEMAND type set at 60. So, other people have different setting or a different type other than demand. Let me tell you a secret. I felt immediately INCREASED energy. Remembert, I was healthy and had one for prevention. But with the increased energy, think about how much more it would help a patient with more needs

@balubeje I had pacemaker put in Dec. 2019: had pain for about a month. I tend to be very sensitive to pain. I check my blood pressure and pressure/heart rate daily with wrist monitor. Have a pacemaker monitor at home, but unless I go in to pacemaker nurse, I am not notified of atrial fibrillation episodes when they come. I had the pacemaker put in for bradycardia, so I wouldn't pass out with low heart rate, but I also have atrial fib and am on blood thinner for it. I have a dual lead pacemaker and have been told 1% working in one chamber and 30% in other chamber. When my PCP put her stethoscope on it to check my breathing, she was surprised I jumped, because it can be sensitive if pushed on. As best as I can tell it is working, given I haven't passed out or fallen since on it. When my heart would have been pausing (bradycardia), the pacemaker is working to keep the rate up. Wishing you well!

I appreciate what you are going through. Although my pace maker is different, let me make a few suggestion from 5 years with a loving pace make. 1) When ever you are due in 6 months to see your cardiologist, make sure you keep OR 2. make that appointment. They will connect to the pace maker with one electrode and a weighted strap that goes over the shoulder, with the forward part over the pace maker. It will give the information about how the pace maker is working. ALSO,3. it will give you an estimate on the life of the battery. BE advised, 4. whenever you need an MRI( X-ray image) you must do it in the HOSPITAL where a company tech or Hospital tech can read the pacemaker and tell the doctor whether you will need to have the pace maker turned off before the MRI OR during surgery. This 5.does not take long and is usually done just before a procedure. (I went to an out patient radiologist and was refused) Give your pacemaker friend a little time to work; give him a little praise. Ha. After all, he is saving or improving your life.