Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

I am a 53 y/o female in excellent health. Former college athlete and marathon runner. Always had mitral valve prolapse, PVCs, but onset of new systems this past Sept. Diagnosed in February with exercise-induced VTac, and then Bradycardia, and then total heart block shortly thereafter. HR dipped to 27 as I awaited results of Lyme disease test. It was negative, and His-pacemaker implanted. Now new issue with AFib event, and more adjustments needed for more voltage. Battery life of my 3 mo old pacemaker is now 4.5 years. Is is common to have so many different things all at once? I am on no meds and never have been. Looking for guidance before considering potential ablation and potential move of pacemaker lead. Everything seems so sudden, especially after losing my mom in August.

@lacudia Hello - I was wondering how you are doing after the AV node ablation and pacemaker implant. I find that most pacemaker recipients have it because of bradycardia or some sort of heart block. I am particularly interested in dual chamber PMs meant for Afib and flutter and how it all works. My EP is advocating it as a last resort should all the other options - 3rd ablation, propafenone, amiodarone, etc. does not work. Thanks.

Thanks Ceepster.

I have only had my pacemaker for 4 months, so it had been challenging to know what is “normal” versus what is to be concerned about. I have experienced a very rapid loss of battery power, and now need battery replacement in 4.5 years. Doctor has confirmed His Bundle lead has not moved. At times, I have a sensation of pain, almost a feeling of electrical shock around my incision site, especially when sleeping on my left side. So I don’t! And at times, dull pain in my upper throat area. Feeling great otherwise and back to running 5 days a week (3-5 miles).

Had my pacemaker 5 years and it has changed the way I live but i still do most of the things but maybe in a different way

It is good you learned about your triggers. I don't have Afibs, just PVCs which Mayo Clinic has finally recognized as very dangerous.

I should read Mayo Clinic info on pacemakers they are life changing things
There are triggers that set the afib off u will need to pay attention to them I have had mine for five years and just woke up this summer And payed attention to them.my shortness of breath is gone and I feel like my old self
I can be having arythems while asleep and not know it

exboater,

I am unsure whaat is meant in your post about just woke up.

I'm glad you found one of the things that trigger your Afibs. Those are difficult to deal with. I have Brady and refused a pacemaker due to it being a foreign object in my body. I get my HR up by moving around. I also found that even though I get a drop in my HR at night and it was very bothersome to the point of waking me and causing restless sleep when I changed my BP med to splitting the dose I sleep better and my HR is not so very low at night.

Doc finally agrees I don't really need the pacemaker.

I have bradycardia and pacemaker
I just woke up this sumer after five years
There are triggers that will set it off u should read the afib info on Mayo Clinic lt has lot help I have found that being sure to not agrivate them . My last one about three months ago was my five o’clock glass of wine o was having arythims about one on the morning left me tired during the day and a little short of breath this all stopped when I stopped the alcohol now if I don’t break another trigger I fee really good

@kanaazpereira ,
hello! I would like to know, if other PM recipients (dual chamber PM) take beta blockers. I tried to find hints in the medical journals, so far without any result. I got a PM nearly one year ago. It was twice adapted by the cardiologist, without a positive effect. I get tired after maybe 100 meters (bicycle). .this should not happen.I think my medication with the beta blocker (bisoprolol) might be the cause.
before I will make an appointment, ,it is important for me to know if other people also take this medicine. + a pacemaker.
.bisoprolol reduces the heart rate, in contrast the pacemaker activates, . maybe the beta blocker prevents a quick adaptation, when I start cycling.
yoanne.