Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

did the pacemaker control the afib? i know the pace makers are more sophisticated now a days

The pacemaker did a very good job. Before the pacemaker I was tired all the time. The pm got me feeling well again. Maybe twice a year or so I will feel a small bout with the afib but then the pm kicks in and
does a good job.
I hope this helps a little.

I had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted 2 weeks ago tomorrow for HCM, unusual for my age of 84. I’m told that it usually occurs at a younger age.

My problem was Bradycardia not HCM but I just had a pacemaker put in in Sept. 2022 and I am 75, not much younger than you. Were you concerned about the healing process?

Bonjour!

I've had my pacemaker installed back in March 2021 at 37 years old. I've been following the rehab protocols to the letter one the first month of recovery. I did develop a stiffness in the left shoulder as I didn't use my arm that much the following year. A light workout routine supervised by a kinesiologist took care of that issue.

Almost two years after the surgery, I still feel the PM inside my body. It's still uncomfortable to do specific movements or to lie on my side where pressure is applied to the shoulder. But, for the most part, the PM's physical presence is becoming a fact of life now that I have gotten used to it. I will be reminded of the PM when my heart occasionally goes in tachycardia mode and the machine does its job to bring it back to a normal rate. It required some adjustments on the software side to come to a good recovery protocol. The first time after surgery that I went into tachy, my PM knocked me down cold. I went from 150 bpm to 90 in one second! I was confused, weak and very tired for about 30 minutes afterwards. Now, it takes about four to five minutes to bring my heart back to normal. I'm still tired afterwards, but not confused or weak anymore.

The other time that I felt the PM's presence was when my 5-years old son punched me straight on the PM while we were rough and tumbling around... XD

But, yeah, two years in and life is almost back to normal. There are still lifestyle adjustments needed, but I'm very confident that I'll get there. Someday.

My dad told me that getting a pacemaker isn't the end of my life; it's the renewing of it.

Cheers!

(Edited for spelling errors)

Congrats on your smart comments about getting used to the PM. I've had mine for almost 5 years. For the first couple of years I was nervous about dislodging it, etc., but after realizing that that little box is keeping me in good rhythm, I began to accept its presence and appreciate that it it is working. I don't actually think about it to much any more. Good luck to you!

I had my pacemaker implanted in 2016 and never looked back. It was because of bradycardia and I don’t have to stop in my tracks to prevent that severe dizziness or fainting since I have the pacemaker. I can’t imagine a “normal” life without it.

I've been told that it is actually your heart kicking in. You are not supposed to feel it. But then the people saying that don't have a pacemaker!

All these comments are very interesting and helpful. My pacemaker was installed January 14, 2020. I had some soreness for awhile. The main problem was that my bra strap went over it. I discovered a pacemaker club on the internet. It is privately run. I ordered a 3 inch square with special cloth for $25.00 USA. It was worth it. I don't bother attaching it to my bra strap anymore. My problem was my heart rate was tanking and I was falling asleep at the computer or I would be fighting to stay awake.
One of the interesting things about that pacemaker group, it gave a long list of famous people who have pacemakers. It was surprising to discover who they are. Elton John is one of them!
My only concern right now is I had a new technician last time to check and he insisted on setting the heart rate higher than my normal heart rate. My pacemaker is guaranteed for 13 years. That will make me 97! Who knows I just might make a 100!

Interesting as my husband has asymptomatic afib (only found during annual ekg) and after two attempts at shocking the heart back to rhythm the doctor decided not to do ablation which was the only other option. Maybe because of his age and that he had no obvious issues from the afib. Of course the worry is clots forming so he has a blood thinner. Incidentally he has a pacemaker as he has a naturally low pulse (around 50) which was only worrisome because of the bloodthinner. The scenario being the low heart rate might make him faint (never had though) and cut himself which would then cause uncontrolled bleeding. As someone else the pacemaker does not control afib directly but does stop the heart going below 60 in his case.