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Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator
Moderator

Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others

Posted by Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan, Mar 12, 2025

Welcome to the Pacemaker & ICDs Support Group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

If you or someone you care about has had a pacemaker or an implantable cardio device (ICD), this is a great place to talk with others with similar experiences. Here, you will learn from one-another and share stories about surgery, recovery, lifestyle changes, successes, setbacks and what strategies helped other members on their journey.

Take these steps to participate in the group:

  • Follow the group.
  • Browse topics.
  • Use the group search to find relevant topics to your questions.
  • Introduce yourself.

Pull up a chair and chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of device do you have? What tip would you share with others?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pacemaker & ICDs Support Group.

Profile picture for Linda, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | Apr 16 9:19am
In reply to @erryj10 "Hi, I'm Jerry. I am currently pre-op. My main concern is measuring what the direct benefit..." + (show)
Profile picture for erryj10 @erryj10

Hi, I'm Jerry. I am currently pre-op. My main concern is measuring what the direct benefit will be for me. Is it
worth the time and disruption to have the thing implanted? Some have commented that they have derived
little to negative benefit from the implantation. My neurologist has identified two (2) areas of infarct in the past
two years. I certainly want to avoid any more instances of that sort. But, when I ask if the implant can prevent
another occurrence, she becomes circumspect. So, I don't have a lot of confidence in the device. It seems to me
that the benefit accrues to the researchers, as much, (or more), than the patient. Please relay your comments
positive or negative.

Jump to this post

@erryj10 Hello Jerry! Yes, this is a new device for you and you are asking great questions. In my opinion, it's worth it if it saves your life! Yet, we have no crystal balls to predict if we will be in that group. As you think about this, do search in your browser: Mayo Clinic ICD and Mayo Clinic Pacemaker. That hopefully will generate questions to ask and help you decide. Buddy, my ICD and I have been an item for over 3 years. No shocks, much pacing. Are you treated at a COE? What prompted your doctor to suggest a device?

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Linda, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | Apr 17 9:10am
In reply to @erryj10 "Hi, I'm Jerry. I am currently pre-op. My main concern is measuring what the direct benefit..." + (show)
Profile picture for erryj10 @erryj10

Hi, I'm Jerry. I am currently pre-op. My main concern is measuring what the direct benefit will be for me. Is it
worth the time and disruption to have the thing implanted? Some have commented that they have derived
little to negative benefit from the implantation. My neurologist has identified two (2) areas of infarct in the past
two years. I certainly want to avoid any more instances of that sort. But, when I ask if the implant can prevent
another occurrence, she becomes circumspect. So, I don't have a lot of confidence in the device. It seems to me
that the benefit accrues to the researchers, as much, (or more), than the patient. Please relay your comments
positive or negative.

Jump to this post

@erryj10 Hello again, Jerry!! Here are the links to information I hope you will find helpful. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pacemaker/about/pac-20384689 and https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators/multimedia/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator-icd/img-20007914. Your statement "Some have commented that they have derived
little to negative benefit from the implantation" generates my question - how do they know that? Many of us have an electrophysiologist working with us and overseeing our devices. Does your neurologist monitoring your infarct areas work with an electrophysiologist?

REPLY
Profile picture for erryj10
erryj10 | @erryj10 | May 12 3:45pm
In reply to @eunice18 "Hi! My life with a PM started Aug 9th after passing out a few times which..." + (show)
Profile picture for eunice18 @eunice18

Hi! My life with a PM started Aug 9th after passing out a few times which lead to a loop recorder being implanted. It picked up a 15 second “pause” and passing out which necessitated a PM. It has been going well since implantation. The best thing for me was to start walking Day 4!! Slow and steady at first and usually 2-3 miles a day now! (I have known for years that I also have BAV and Aortic Aneurysm that we are monitoring)

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@eunice18 Thank you for your comment. Call me Jerry. I have been advised to get an I(mplantable) C(ardiac) M(onitor), and I am hesitating in the hope that it self-corrects. I know that thats a pipe -dream, but it is my hope. I will have a further discussion with my cardiologist in about 1 week. Overt, obvious symptoms are difficult to identify. The pain is indistinct, transient, and mild. I am accepting any advice, I need a gentle shove into action.

REPLY
Profile picture for erryj10
erryj10 | @erryj10 | May 12 3:49pm
In reply to @walkinggirl "@erryj10 Hello Jerry! Yes, this is a new device for you and you are asking great..." + (show)
Profile picture for Linda, Volunteer Mentor @walkinggirl

@erryj10 Hello Jerry! Yes, this is a new device for you and you are asking great questions. In my opinion, it's worth it if it saves your life! Yet, we have no crystal balls to predict if we will be in that group. As you think about this, do search in your browser: Mayo Clinic ICD and Mayo Clinic Pacemaker. That hopefully will generate questions to ask and help you decide. Buddy, my ICD and I have been an item for over 3 years. No shocks, much pacing. Are you treated at a COE? What prompted your doctor to suggest a device?

Jump to this post

@walkinggirl Two mild strokes identified on a CT scan. If the neurologist had not seen evidence on the scan, I would never have known about them.

REPLY
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