1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Posted by balubeje @balubeje, May 25, 2016

I am coming on a year post op having a pacemaker placement for bradycardia. I would be interested in a support group with the same concerns. I think a support network would be so beneficial.

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elwood | @elwood | Apr 22, 2020
In reply to @lov "@balubeje I had pacemaker put in Dec. 2019: had pain for about a month. I tend..." + (show)
@lov

@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!

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was of opinion pacemaker intended to resolve afib. This apparently not the case?

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3 replies
bill54321 | @bill54321 | Apr 22, 2020
In reply to @elwood "was of opinion pacemaker intended to resolve afib. This apparently not the case?" + (show)
@elwood

was of opinion pacemaker intended to resolve afib. This apparently not the case?

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It has more uses than just a demand feature like mind. You would have to talk to others

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1 reply
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @cupcake1979 "I had a pacemaker dual chamber in January due to my heart stopping. I have since..." + (show)
@cupcake1979

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

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@cupcake1979 Hi and welcome to connect. I'm sorry to hear you are having some pain from your pacemaker I also had a pacemaker a while back for about 10 years but mine was for fast heart rate called Tachycardia. I would suggest some of the pain is from the initial surgery to put it in. I remember when I first got mine I had to take it easy for a few months while everything healed. Are you feeling better now that a few months have passed? Plus also how it works is different for everyone and can take some time to adjust it for your particular symptoms. If it is still bothering you I would get with your ep cardiologist so they can make adjustments. On the other symptoms your having make sure you tell the doctors so they can be addressed. Good luck and please let us know how you make out.

Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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1 reply
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @elwood "was of opinion pacemaker intended to resolve afib. This apparently not the case?" + (show)
@elwood

was of opinion pacemaker intended to resolve afib. This apparently not the case?

Jump to this post

@elwood Hi I'm not an expert on Afib but have you mentioned your concerned to your EP Cardiologist? Pacemakers have lots of adjustments and maybe just some changes could work better for your condition I remember having mine adjusted regularly to solve issues. So I would suggest asking about how we could get it working better. Let's us know how you make out. And have a Blessed Day
Dana

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1 reply
ala123 | @ala123 | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @danab "@cupcake1979 Hi and welcome to connect. I'm sorry to hear you are having some pain from..." + (show)
@danab

@cupcake1979 Hi and welcome to connect. I'm sorry to hear you are having some pain from your pacemaker I also had a pacemaker a while back for about 10 years but mine was for fast heart rate called Tachycardia. I would suggest some of the pain is from the initial surgery to put it in. I remember when I first got mine I had to take it easy for a few months while everything healed. Are you feeling better now that a few months have passed? Plus also how it works is different for everyone and can take some time to adjust it for your particular symptoms. If it is still bothering you I would get with your ep cardiologist so they can make adjustments. On the other symptoms your having make sure you tell the doctors so they can be addressed. Good luck and please let us know how you make out.

Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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@danab Hi I have had 3 ablations for afib, aflutter and tachycardia over the past 3 years and my EP has mentioned that I may need a pacemaker. Did you have to take high doses of betablockers along with your PM? Also you say you had a PM for ten years.... Sounds like you were able to have it removed, so how did that work?

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2 replies
shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @ala123 "@danab Hi I have had 3 ablations for afib, aflutter and tachycardia over the past 3..." + (show)
@ala123

@danab Hi I have had 3 ablations for afib, aflutter and tachycardia over the past 3 years and my EP has mentioned that I may need a pacemaker. Did you have to take high doses of betablockers along with your PM? Also you say you had a PM for ten years.... Sounds like you were able to have it removed, so how did that work?

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hELLO FOR WHAT I AM ON MY SECOND PACEMAKER. tHEY ONLY LAST 1M YEARS. i WOULD RATHER HAT THAT AND TO BE SO RISKY ABOUT DOING ANYTHING PHYSICAL. i FEEL FINE. iT'S QUIED AND KEEPS O RUNNIG AND THE DOC TELLS ME THAT i'M DOING OK. nANCY

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shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @danab "@elwood Hi I'm not an expert on Afib but have you mentioned your concerned to your..." + (show)
@danab

@elwood Hi I'm not an expert on Afib but have you mentioned your concerned to your EP Cardiologist? Pacemakers have lots of adjustments and maybe just some changes could work better for your condition I remember having mine adjusted regularly to solve issues. So I would suggest asking about how we could get it working better. Let's us know how you make out. And have a Blessed Day
Dana

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hI aLL i KNOW IS.......sINCE i HAVE HAD THE PACEMAKER i HAVE not HAD ANY TROUBLE AT ALL. JUST COASTING FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS i HAVE HAD THE PACEMAKER. nO PROBLEMS AT ALL. nANCY

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shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @bill54321 "It has more uses than just a demand feature like mind. You would have to talk..." + (show)
@bill54321

It has more uses than just a demand feature like mind. You would have to talk to others

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yES IT IS. iT KEEEPS YOU STEADY PURRING TO YOUR OWN DANCE....... yOU DON'T JEED ANYONE ELSE. jUST YOU. dON'T FOOL AROUND JUST GET IT DONE. nANCY/SHORTSHOLT

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shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @elwood "was of opinion pacemaker intended to resolve afib. This apparently not the case?" + (show)
@elwood

was of opinion pacemaker intended to resolve afib. This apparently not the case?

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pS tHIS IS MY SECOND PACEMAKER. eVERY 10 YEARS YOU GET A NEW ONE. i OLD ONE HAD QUIT MY NEW ONE RIGHT AWAY AND YOU CAN STILL DANCE TO YOUR OWN PACEMAKER. nANCY /SHORTSHOT

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1 reply
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Apr 23, 2020
In reply to @ala123 "@danab Hi I have had 3 ablations for afib, aflutter and tachycardia over the past 3..." + (show)
@ala123

@danab Hi I have had 3 ablations for afib, aflutter and tachycardia over the past 3 years and my EP has mentioned that I may need a pacemaker. Did you have to take high doses of betablockers along with your PM? Also you say you had a PM for ten years.... Sounds like you were able to have it removed, so how did that work?

Jump to this post

@ala123 well in my case my heart got worse to the point that meds would not keep me under control and my pacemaker was having to give me shocks(mine had a difibulator) to often to regulate me so I ended up getting a Heart Transplant which also meant my pacemaker was not needed anymore. But don't let that worry you I have known many that lived a very long life with meds and pacemaker only. At first my pacemaker did very well and I had a very nice life with no issues. I did have a couple of ablations also but towards the end they were not helping and that's when I was evaluated for a Heart transplant. But I still am thankful for the additional year's I had working with the pacemaker and got me to a point where I could retire since my old work I could not still do with a transplant.

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