Pacemaker, anyone?

MoJoV · ‎10-01-2010

I'm interested if anyone here has actually had one placed. If so, what was your experience like? My cardiologist has been discussing my need for one, not in an absolute way but recommending it. I have Avib and take medication that slows my heart rate to under 40 sometimes. I feel pretty good, very active. Just get very tired sometimes.

Trees are the lungs of the Earth

dodies · ‎06-07-2010

Hi MoJo: have had my pacemaker for six years and cannot think of a reason on earth not to do it if your cardiologist feels that's the direction you are headed. I am also a nurse, so very picky about my meds, treatments, etc. I too have Afib and was on meds to slow the rate, which is how they work. I was able to come off them. My pacer is set at 65, so there is never a fear of a too slow rate, along with it's tiredness or the fear it may suddenly drop to the point of fainting, which is entirely possible. The procedure was easy; pretty much asleep the whole time, or if I wasn't totally, didn't care one bit. Home the next day, minimal activity restrictions for a couple of weeks while it " sets" itself. Have a bedside monitor which activates itself nightly and sends a monthly report to my doc so he can see what goes on over time. Go once a year for a visit and pacer check, which takes two minutes. I also, last years had a Watchman implant, which was pretty smooth....worst part was having to lie flat for six hours. I was able to come off my super blood thinners....which I would think you are on, and now take a baby aspirin. So the risk of a fall and brain bleed have been hugely reduced. I don't think about either one of these devices. Since I'm left handed I requested the pacer on the right side, which they did. Noticed the very slight lump at first but now have to search for it. Sorry for the loooong post, but I'm so glad I did both these procedures. I feel very safe k owing my heartbeat is monitored now! These procedures are very safe. Hope you'll have a good in depth conversation with your doc that will help your decision. Good luck, let us know.....

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

My husband has both a pacemaker and Watchman device due to aFib. His life was improved in the same way as the previous poster, and he was taken off of Eliquis. He now only takes a baby aspirin. Other than 2 overnight hospital stays, the surgery was routine and uneventful. He has 2 wonderful cardiologists that he sees annually.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

My friend, 83 has one for a long time for Afib, no problems at all.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

my 85 year old mother is going on two years with a pacemaker.

she has had no issues with it and got very excited when the doctor told her the pacemaker will last for at least another 9 years. LOL .....she said it gives her lots of hope.

she goes in for an evaluation on the pacemaker once a year.

she has never had an issue with it at all.

they added the pacemaker a day or two AFTER she had heart valves replaced.

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

smoochy · ‎03-10-2010

in March 2023 I was hospitalized three times on the cardiac unit. It all began suddenly. I had a history of PVCs (irregular rhythm) then out of nowhere it got much worse. And my heart rate slowed to 30 beats per minute. Quite scary. I had a couple of ambulance trips to the ER. After a lot of tests, drugs and invasive interventions under anesthesia, it was determined that a pacemaker was the last option. It has been a blessing, considering that my heart doesn't function correctly otherwise. I saw my cardiologist last week. All is well. My battery is good for another 11 years.

MICHIGAN STATE MOM

msgb · ‎08-30-2010

My mother wore one for 9 years. She, my father and her seven kids and 12 grandchildren were glad that she had one. She had had heart surgery. She was recovering very well. But one day I was in her room with my then 3 yr old nephew and she fainted. The heart rate went low. It was that night that she had one put in. Until she passed we were all glad that it was there to help her if needed.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

My SIL had a pacemaker put in this time last year; she has had no problems with it and is doing well.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

My Dad had a pacemaker for over 8 years.

The last time he was admitted to the hospital he had sepsis and was not doing well. I stayed with him for many hours in the emergency room. He was hooked up to a heart monitor.

It was amazing to watch the monitor. (That was about all I could do, since he was sleeping 99 % of the time.)

I would watch his heart rate. And if would go off rhythm. Two seconds later the pacemaker kicked in and put the heart rate back in rhythm. And everything would be fine then, the heart rate would go off rhythm again. And the pacemaker would do it's job.

After watching this go on for hours, I was so impressed with the pacemaker. That it was doing such an exceptional job. And helping my Dad's heart keep in rhythm.

It truely is a miracle machine.

Luv2Dnce · ‎02-07-2024

MoJoV,

I have a family member who has had one for over 20 years and has done exceptionally well. It seems as though you developed Bradycardia which is a low heart rate. A heart rate in your 40s is quite low so if your cardiologist is suggesting it....Personally, I wouldn't take it too lightly or wait too long to make a decision. Apparently, per your post, your medication isn't working well enough, so perhaps this is why the cardiologist is suggesting a pacemaker sooner rather than later. If you have been seeing this doctor for a while, and you trust them, they should hopefully know what's best for you.

The pacemaker can last up to 10 years and then once it gets close to the time of the battery running low, they usually just replace the battery. It depends how active you are, and if you have any other cardiac issues. As for a recovery, I can't speak for my family member because they were a child at the time and of course each surgery is different. They will give you a device/machine that will monitor your pacemaker at home and the information will be transmitted over to the company who's monitoring it for you and a report will go directly to your cardiologist. Hopefully, your doctor has discussed this with you already so that you can make the safest and best decision.

When it comes to any kind of a procedure or surgery do your research, ask a lot of questions to your general practitioner, cardiologist, etc. Keep in mind that you would rather have a surgery while you're stable, than God forbid have an emergency surgery.

God bless you and I wish you well.