Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Thank you, Teresa! Hello to you all. I don't know a lot about how pacemakers work and how they respond to different conditions to manage the body's blood flow needs. It's not the procedure itself or questioning the need for it that is my dilemma, but simply understanding what a pacemaker for life means from a day to day standpoint as compared to a heart that doesn't require a pacemaker. If you have any thougths to share I'd greatly appreciate them! Perhaps better to reply to my original post just a little above so that the background is included for anyone else reading. Thanks!!

Thanks, Lisa! I see my original post now on this forum (separate post). I'd greatly appreciate any comments to it! To any of you who can provide feedback, it's probably better to reply there than here since it provides the background and type of feedback I'm seeking. Thank you.

Hi balubeje,
No my diagnosis is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which doesn't typically require a pacemaker, but the surgery to correct my thickened septum will likely impact my left bundle branch, and I already have a right bundle branch block, so that means I'd likely need a pacemaker for life because I would be completely blocked.
Thank you!
Mark

I'm not sure the circumstance being faced...here's the but-if you are facing the possibility of a pacemaker and your diagnosis is bradycardia I would be glad to offer what I know for me. You will find a lot of positive and informative people on this location.

Hello @markjones

Mayo Connect is a great place to connect with others who have had similar health experiences. I can certainly understand why you would like to get off the meds with their side-effects.

I am going to introduce you to some of our other Members who have mentioned Pacemakers. Perhaps they will respond with their experiences,
@lmclaugh @ronbee @jimana @martishka @billmichalski @sotiredofit @ricke62 @catygirl @bevtar98 @balubeje @marke92.

Teresa

Hi, @markjones -- I thought I'd move your post here to introduce you to other Mayo Clinic Connect members who have mentioned pacemakers. Though I recognize not everyone's situation is the same, I thought these members might have some insights for you as you are looking into the possibility of having a pacemaker for life and what that might look like. @hopeful33250 may also have some thoughts for you.

Hi All,
I am facing the decision of whether to have a myectomy or continue to work with a cocktail of medicines to treat my symptoms. I met with Dr. Geske in December and learned that because I have a right bundle branch block, odds are that I will need a pacemaker for life. I"m comfortable with the idea of the surgery/recovery in exchange for getting off all this medicine (and its side effects) and probably feeling even better than I do with my medicine today. But I just have no idea about what life with a pacemaker means. I'm active -- and hope to be a lot more active after surgery. Interested in hearing from people who have a pacemaker about the impact it has had on your quality of life. Thank you!

(SHORTSHOT80) i am about four months from having my 11 year PM changed. My Cardo' told me that all the new ones are MRI proof. I do send a report via the phone every three months. Mine is also a Medtronc PM too. Will see what happens after Christmas. Nancy

My Medtronic card has Model # A2DRO1 along with 5676-45 and last but not least 5076-52. Now what all that means I have no clue. On the back of my card it states: I have a/an Advisa DR MRI SureScan Pacemaker implanted. Goes on to state: This patient has a complete MR Conditional pacing system implanted, consisting of a SureScan pacemaker and two SureScan leads. Goes on to say for important MRI safety information visit http://www.medtronic.com/MRI. Down in the far corner it states My device may trigger metal detection systems. I'm relatively sure the first numbers are the PM and the other two are the leads. Apparently, metal detectors CAN do some resetting of the PM values as can microwaves and cell phones I remember that in our conversations so I don't stand and watch my food or whatever when in the microwave nor do I carry my cell in a pocket on the same side as the PM or do I carry on long conversations on my phone without switching back and forth from ear to ear. I try to err on the side of caution. The likely hood of this resetting or throwing off my PM is probably about the same odds of me winning the BIG LOTTERY. I just don't chance it. Hopefully this is helpful.

I am wondering which brands are MRI proof?