Pacemaker

mishka14 · ‎04-20-2013

Anyone here have a Pacemaker....I'm getting one next week for AFib and Sick Sinus syndrome.....any advice for me..

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

I don't have one myself, but DH does - he's had it for about nine years. He did have to change it out a few years back because the battery was weak, but the new one is much smaller. He has aFib also. I know he is much older than you - he's 96 now, but otherwise in pretty good health. He has had no difficulty with the pacemaker. It took a few weeks to "settle in", meaning to heal internally to make the wires very secure. No problems there either. We check the battery about every three months with a home connection - no problem. As I recall, the installation was fast and the recovery almost immediate. I am sure that without it we would have lost him years ago. So we are grateful for the control it offers. I suspect that given the relatively small size of the new units you won't have to change your "style" much to accommodate the unit. I don't know many technical details, but I think you and he are both fortunate that today's medical advancements can add years to your life. I send you blessings and healing hugs. May all go well for you and may God grant you many years with a happy heart.

If you have any questions that he might answer, please let me know and I'll ask him for answers.

Aviatrix · ‎03-12-2010

There is an excellent web site that will provide you with all the information and human support you want. Just go to pacemaker club.com. The caring people on this site have pacemakers and lots of appropriate knowledge. Best of luck and good health to you.

HiLo · ‎03-10-2010

I've had one for about ten years now; have had to replace it once because of the battery but otherwise don't even know it's there.

I do have a check about once a month for the unit by my bedside that gives the Dr. info about how it working. Also I go to the Dr's office every 6 months for a complete check up, also on the working status of the pacemaker. It's kind of down to a science.

I suppose there are various reasons people use pacemakers, in my case it was irregular heart beat which is very dangerous.left alone. Agree it is a wonderful invention; heart problems run in my family so I feel so grateful to be living at a time in medical history that something could be done to add extra years to my life. I also use alternative medicine on a regular basis for another physical problem,,acupuncture, which can also be life saving for certain medical problems.

Inserting the pacemaker equipment was a simple task that only took about 45 minutes, or so I was told. You will be fine.

Alajane · ‎03-16-2010

I've had mine for 2 years and 5 days. No issues at all; my doctor does not like to use the bedside monitor so I go into his office for a check every 6 months, which will transition to more often as the battery starts to get low. As a person who is totally pacemaker-dependent, I sure don't miss any checkups! But as far as the pacer itself, I forget it's there; got a mammogram last week and happened to think to tell the technician afterward. He said "Oh, I know--it's very obvious."

My only worry is that since it's so trouble-free, I hope I don't forget to mention it if an MRI is ever suggested!

HiLo · ‎03-10-2010

I tell them when going through airport security. I am also totally dependent on my unit; it's a miracle.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Alajane wrote:
I've had mine for 2 years and 5 days. No issues at all; my doctor does not like to use the bedside monitor so I go into his office for a check every 6 months, which will transition to more often as the battery starts to get low. As a person who is totally pacemaker-dependent, I sure don't miss any checkups! But as far as the pacer itself, I forget it's there; got a mammogram last week and happened to think to tell the technician afterward. He said "Oh, I know--it's very obvious."

My only worry is that since it's so trouble-free, I hope I don't forget to mention it if an MRI is ever suggested!

NAT: I believe you are asked about things such as pacemakers by the technician before he/she does an MRI. My DH has pacemaker and he requires CAT scans in place of. Not always as good but serves the purpose.

I have been asked if I had a pacemaker which I do not and am always asked about teeth. I have implants and there was a period of time they would not do an MRI on me because of the implants until they had been in for "x" amount of time, but I cannot remember how long now.