Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Oops I meant not having that sensation in my chest felt really good

It will go ok . I know just having that sensation in the chest felt good . Hang in there !!!

Thank you for replying. Just had my av node ablation. All went well.all that weird sensation in my chest is gone. Hopefully now onwards ,& upwards.

Barking up my tree… just had a pacemaker and av ablation in may . Very hard decision. My heart rate was at 170 so they had to lower it 10 beats every month and now I’m at 60. First month was somewhat uncomfortable. But now I don’t even know it’s there . Felt a lot better going to the gym after 5 years but I have moments of palpitations and sob . Tired but it’s improved at least 80 percent not perfect but better. My upper heart is still in atrial fib and my lower hearts is paced at 60 . WERID huh?? It will get better . There is an adjustment period hang in there . And I have felt palpitations part of the process.

I had my dual chamber ICD installed 4 months ago. It’s still a little sensitive to touch around the edges, but otherwise, I don’t even notice it anymore. The hardest part for me was remembering not to stretch in the morning the first month.

So great to be able to post here. I have had a dual chamber pacemaker fitted on Friday 1st Sept. Feeling a little sore & sorry for myself. Yesterday while having a shower I felt my heart racing. It only lasted for about 5 minutes but of course I got very anxious. I rang my Dr and reassured me it was nothing to worry about once I am taking my blood thinner. . Did anybody else experience this shortly after pacemaker is fitted. It it a healing process and adjusting Period I wonder.... The reason I had the pacemaker is because I have afib and 3 ablations. There is talk of an av node ablation but that I think is only a last resort. I would love to hear from anyone with pacemakers who may reassure me. Thanking you.

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.

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!

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!

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.