Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

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!

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)

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.