Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others

Yes, my surgery is scheduled for July21st. I have bradycardia and am in a junctional rhythm. Was scheduled to have varicose vein surgery on 6/20/25, but when anesthesiologist came in to see me pre-op she freaked out when she looked at the monitor. Ordered an ECG and cancelled the surgery. My electrophysiology cardiologist knew I’ve been in a junctional rhythm since April 18th, but we were just monitoring it and keeping track of my symptoms. I have to admit the episodes of lightheadedness have been increasing, but no passing out. My cardiologist looked at the ECG and said it was time to get the pacemaker. He wanted to do it right away, but my husband had booked a surprise trip for me, and had no refund deal, so we pushed the surgery back a couple of weeks. Just advised of activity limitations and to get my butt to an ER if symptoms worsen. Then when I return have to stop some medications before surgery. I have a loop recorder with a dead battery, which they plan to remove at the same time.

@kadenhaviken24
What is your age now? That would help us with how many shocks you have had since it was implanted when you were 16.

I had my ICD/Pacemaker implanted in 2006. I am on my 3rd device.

I did not have one single shock for almost 10 years. Then one afternoon in 2015 I got 5 shocks in a 24 hour period. I was hospitalized for several days, released then had a anxiety/panic attack and got put back in hospitalized again.

Now I am going to give my experience here but just realize not a medical professional. I did not realize it but from the trauma of this I developed PTSD with anxiety/panic disorder.

I bring this up because the symptoms you are describing trauma, sleepless nights, worry on every PVC, head starts to race are all symptoms I had. I reached out to my Mayo doctors and they referred me to psychiatric division. There I took a PTSD test and scored only a couple points lower than highest score to determine PTSD.

With that test I was diagnosed with PTSD anxiety/panic disorder. It had got so bad I did not want to leave my home. Mostly because I was worried I would get shocked and how it would look. I was under extreme stress and anxiety.

So here I am 10 years later and exercise 6 days a week 1-2 hours. Enjoy water aerobics 5 days a week and do Sprint Triathlons. It was a very hard journey to get here but I have never got over the worry with every PVCs I get especially those that come on top of each other.

The psychiatric medication specialist did counseling and put me on a anxiety/depression medication. She had to work with my EP and heart failure doctor as the medication caused some increase in electrical waves. I was also on trazadone to sleep and XANAC as needed.

My pace clinic and EP worked on the causes of the shocks. It was determined that a decision to turn off (done because had impedence on wires) my pacing of heart was the cause. It was turned back on. I had other shocks and went through same review. One was the exercise mode was being interpreted wrong. Another was caused when got dehydtrated and electrolytes were off.

So a lot of work on making sure my ICD/Pacemake was not causing issues. I was told I had a very irritated heart. I was encourged to find exercise (could not longer play tennis becuase of jerking of arms/body caused wires to move I like to do. Workding with my cardiologist I found Sprint Triathlons. By doing them you have to really train so I did.

I was still having issues with tachacardia and very excessive PVCs. My EP did a ablation on my RV and it worked. I developed 3 areas on LV that were causing PVCs but EP wanted to try medications before anohter ablation. I began taking a medication that reduces PVCs and tachacardia. With that medication my PVCs were cut in half and have not had a tayacaria episose sence then.

So the above is my experience with this. Asked your doctors to look at did you develop PTSD over your trauma. If so it can be treated. It will help bring back you confidence. Have you cardiologist and EP look at your setting on your device. Have you EP look at medications for PVCs and tachacardia.

Then have you doctors referr you to a psychatric specialist who deals with PTSD and is experienced with treatments. I am not a medical doctor and cannot diagnose you with PTSD but your very words were my words when I was diagnosed with it from the very cause you mentioned.

Then on your part find an exercise (with doctors approval) or hobby you like doing and do it. It can help reduce your anxiety and stress. Have your doctors talk to you about the role of stress and anxiety has on PVCs and PACs. It is the fight or flight build up of adreanlince from stress and anxiety that can affects PVCs and PACs and anxiety/panic issues.

I know this long but when I read your post it just mirrored my journey with my ICD/Pacemaker and my trauma from it. I did not know it had caused PTSD and axniety/panic disorder so was living with the terror and fear until I got treated.

Hi everyone
I have some questions regarding getting an ICD implant and have not decided whether to get it done or not. My doctor recommends it and I understand the “pros” of getting an ICD. But I would like to understand the “cons” from patients who have had an ICD. Some of my questions are:
1. Did you have any issues with the surgical procedure itself?
2. Has it ever shocked you incorrectly and how did it affect your heart or health in general?
3. How did it affect the quality of your life overall?

@nilesh123
Question 1. None, it is considered minor surgery and not done it hospital but surgical office. I had both ICD/Pacemaker. The first one (I am on my 3rd) is the most worrisome as you have no idea how will feel ect.
2. Yes, at least in my opinion. I did not have the exercise mode turned on my pacemaker for 15 years. Then one pace tech said turning it on to see if helps you exercise. Was not but a couple fo days had shock. Then another. I went into pace clinc and had them turn it off. The shocks stopped. One tech said it was turned on high which meant would start pacing higher with low effort. I said turn off. I think my heart did not understand the high pacing and tried to shock me out of it.
3. At first was scared to death. Then when I did get shocked and it brought me out of VTAC it was a life saver. Then my cardioloist said to me think of your ICD/Pacemaker like having you own EMS there for you 24/7. That really helped and also that almost all arrymias are corrected by ICD. Now that is VTAC not damage to heart from a heart attack which is a totally different topic than arrymias.
I now think of my ICD as something I can count on if I have electrial issues or VTAC.

Hi. I had a lot of trouble with the installation of my ICD. When the procedure was finished and I was stitched up and bandaged they did an X-ray to check it. To every one’s surprise, the wires were not attached to the unit. The wait was 4 hours long before a room was available for the repair. Add insult to injury, they charged my insurance company for both procedures. I have had the unit installed for 6 years now and no shocks. The first 3 years I didn’t want to do anything in fear that I would set it off. Attending a full session of cardiac rehab eased my worries.

I am 76 and the recovery has taken a lot longer than I expected I get fatigued a lot easier than before my surgery and implantation. The doctors told me that’s to be expected due to my age. Everything seems to be working. OK I just don’t like being tired all the time I had the pacemaker put in because my heart rate was so low. It was causing my blood pressure to be higher. My blood pressure is under control now, but I don’t like this tired feeling.

Thank you jc76. I am still in 2 minds whether to get ICD implant done or not since I am worried how it would impact my quality of life. Your reply was helpful.

Hello all
A couple more questions for those with ICD implants:
1. How heavy is the ICD? Do you feel the weight as you are walking around?
2. Are you able to drive and do all other normal activities with the ICD?

@nilesh123
Can only give you my experience not want to infer is what others feel.
1. They come in different weights and manufactures. I have a ICD/Pacemaker so I assume mine would be bigger if just a ICD. I do not feel the weight as I walk around.
When you first get it you are going to feel it just from having a device in your body under your skin or like mine under your chest muscle. The body encapsulates it over time and this goes away atleast for me.
2. Yes you can drive and do other normal activities. If you have a shock your EP should have a plan on can you drive. I follow Mayo. I know big difference in a single shock and what you should do versus multiple shocks over time.
Your EP should go over physical activities you should not do and can do. Your manufacturer will also have this information on their web site specific to your device. I had issues with playing tennis and my wires so had to stop playing.
I now do sprint triathlons. I do almost everything except move my left hand and arm above my head as it caused irritation to my device.
Your EP will also discuss being aroung electrical devices and devices like your phone.

I just got my pacemaker on 7/25/25, so I’m new to all this. Had check in with my cardiologist yesterday and incision is healing well, the pacemaker is pacing my heart 96% of the time - which is good, as my heart rate was in the low to mid 30 BPM. I will be able to resume lifting my left arm above shoulder level in 2 more days, as well as starting to drive again! It has sucked not being able to put my hair in a ponytail in this heat.I don’t feel the weight of the pacemaker, just soreness in my chest muscles, and feel a little more energy - although the doctor warned me it will be several months to get full effect of higher BPM. I had been cold all the time, but notice that it seems a bit better, as I’m not wearing a sweater in 90 degree weather. Only area I wasn’t cold was my neck - I have long hair, so have had a sweaty neck since the surgery. Can’t wait for my chest not to hurt, but am doing much better. Hope this response helps.