Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Its been 4 weeks and i dont feel much better. Please let me know youre experience

I think the first month is difficult for a lot of reasons. Physically, it takes awhile to get used to have something in your body. Little aches and pains, soreness. Regardless, you've had an operation before which you were likely tired. So, your body will still be recovering from the fatigue created by both the condition and the operation. Emotionally, I was very concerned about every physical feeling; was it normal? was it a problem? I was anxious about the restrictions. What would happen if I accidently did x, y, or z. Finally, while I wasn't aware of it at the time, the FACT that I HAD to have a pm implant took some time to accept. I am 3 months in now. I am back at the gym doing mild workouts and walking at home. I now understand the adjustment more as a process, likely quite varied among people. I can physically do more now with less effort; I am less fatigued; I don't worry as much about little small feelings of discomfort (still very careful about what, and how much, I do). Over the next months I anticipate 'moving along' to the next level. From what I have read, in the first three months the device 'settles' and is finally solid by a year. Medtronics (my pc maker) has a wonderful website and call centre with nice people and helpful material for reading. Look for a patient website by your pm maker if it isn't Medtronics. They will likely have one. Finally, know that you are not alone in this. People with pms are young, middle-aged and old, and do share their experience. Finally, check in periodically with your doctor or device clinic and ask about the things that concern you.

Thank you so much for your honest answer. These are all things i myself are going through. You helped me understand. God bless you

Don’t know if this will help you but I was born with a defective heart involving the SA node (heart’s natural pacemaker) and the AV node, that commands the Ventricles to squeeze and pump the blood. I have what’s known as WPW, Wolff, Parkinson, White Syndrome. It causes my heart to go into Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (beats to fast). Bradycardia (beats to slowly, A-fib (chambers are out of sync) Spontaneous Blackout, and triggered 3 heart attacks.

I told you all that because my Electrophysiologist, a specialist cardiologist that treats all electrical aspects of the heart. In order to help me, he had to implant a $25,000 special loop heart recorder to monitor my heart 24/7. He made an cut by my left breast, inserted the device and positioned it were it needed to be by my Left Atrial Chamber, the company rep was right there and activated it. Like you, I was apprehensive about having it in my body for 5 years before replacement. Yes, it felt strange having something in my chest and can touch it thru my skin. Naturally I was fatigued for several weeks, the healing took awhile but went well. It was placed in me August 2021 and I can’t tell it’s there anymore unless I touch it. It shouldn’t be much different from a pacemaker other that the wires. I’ve had two major electrical events on November 25th and 28th, they were recorded and sent to my hospital’s heart lab because I had a nasty fall and knocked unconscious on the 25th. I’m glad my device worked when it should have and I was contacted by the hospital. So don’t judge your aches and pains for at least 6 months. Not related to the device, I was told if the pain feels dull, it’s most likely a chronic condition. If the pain feels sharp, have it checked. Sounds like good advice to me. Hope things go well for you. @becky1024

Thank you so much. This sure does help

I’ve had a pacemaker/defibrillator since August 2021….feel great and have less anxiety with it than without it as I have ventricular tachycardia. There are times especially when laying down I feel like I can feel the pacemaker working… has anyone else felt this?

I am finding this all very interesting. I have always been complemented on my low heart rate until a few years ago when I found I was having trouble staying awake at odd times. e.g. in a meeting. Your comments have answered one question I had, It had to do with exercise. I was walking 40 minutes a day with my two rescues. Then I developed spinal stenosis. Now I am not sure how much exercise I should be doing. I am sleeping a lot. I believe that is due to the meds that I am on. I did a lot of housework before Christmas and I have been paying for it. Today was a good day.
I have been told that my lower part of my heart doesn't kick the pacemaker in at all. It is only the upper part of my heart that needs the pacemaker. I am learning to understand all the medical terminology. Thank you for all your information.

I am taking Tramadol and Gabapentin. I am wondering what the long term effects are and if I should be driving? Not driving is a pain. It means I have to rely on others. I am also wondering about an operation to cure/relieve my spinal stenosis? Otherwise, I am in pretty good health. Any information or experience would be appreciated.

Pacemakers are great if needed. My problem with Afib got to the point that
the meds did no good, sssooo, the pacemaker was the next option. I go on the
12th. this month, Jan 2023 for my third pacemaker. I do not remember any
issues except the last one I had a stitch that was missed and it caused a little infection. The nurse removed it and all was well. I praise The Lord for allowing
me to live so long. I probly would have not lived this long without a pacemaker. Only 89 years young .

i have been doing some research, tells me ablation is better than a pace maker for tachacardia bracacardia syndrome