I am having a Pacemaker next monday has anybody had one before?

[franksavage]

I am having a Pacemaker next monday has anybody had one before?

[jossikins]

Hi, Frank! Yes, I have and it has made all the difference to my life. I had tried cardioversion 4 times because of AF and goodness knows how many changes of medication and dosages, all to no avail. Last March I had the pacemaker fitted (which was done under a local anaesthetic and was painless and very straightforward) and then, in October, I had an AV ablation done and the pacemaker was activated. I cannot begin to do justice with mere words the difference it has made to my energy levels and my everyday life. I have come off all drugs except for Warfarin and that is a very small price to pay. Go for it and good luck!

Jos.

[franksavage in reply to jossikins]

tHANKS jOSS THAT HAS eally GIVE ME A BIT OF CONFIDENCE THanks so much, i dont have anybody else you see and i was worried! Thanks again!!!

[Pdotg]

I haven't, but my father had one at 86 and it changed his life instantly, for the better. He's had a replacement (they have a life of ten years) recently and is absolutely fine, at 96. Hope this reassures you.

[franksavage in reply to Pdotg]

BRILLIANT NEWS thankyou so much!!

[CDreamer]

Husband had one fitted in Jan 2014, he is 80 and had AF with sick sinus node. He stayed in overnight and although there were some minor anomalies so took a little longer than forecast, that is 90 mins rather than estimated 40, he recovered very quickly as it is only a local. Again made a huge difference to his overall health, no more bradycardia or AF!

Good luck and hope it helps you.

[franksavage in reply to CDreamer]

Lord above!! I wasnt expecting such a positive feedback from you7 all i am overwhelmed a bit! thankyou so much, you dont know how much it helps!!

[Hidden]

I had one fitted in August last year which solved part of my problems in October another part was activated which has made a huge difference. The pacemaker means I can now have medications to help with my arrhythmias. All in all its been for the best . Good luck

[Varina8]

I had dg of bradycardia, sick sinus and PAF with a rate of more than 200/min for 9 years ago. Had a pacemaker fitted in local anestesia. That has made the treatments of AF possible but has not helped AF. Replacement of pacemaker 2-3 years ago went also well. Minor surgery, great help and security, hardly no problems for everyday life.

[franksavage in reply to Varina8]

Thankyou Varina i am hoping this bradycardia or AF will dissapear..I GUESS THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT

[jossikins]

Hi, again, Frank. I think I should also add, just for good measure, that, although my problem was AF, a very good friend of mine, same age (I am 75), suffered from bradychardia which was originally diagnosed when she first became a mother. That was about 45 years ago. She has been totally pacemaker dependent ever since, She is one of the most energetic UNelderly people I have ever met! So, you have it from both ends of the tachycardia/AF/bradychardia spectrum. All good. To borrow the words from "The Lion King" - Hacuna Matata - no worries! Look forward to the changes that Monday will bring BUT- IMPORTANT - also bear in mind that it probably won't happen immediately. Nobody told me that and I expected to be able to leap about like a gazelle as soon as I was discharged (the same day). However, the heart has to have a chance to fully recover from the procedure so the tendency seems to be to programme the pacemaker at a level that doesn't encourage going madly physically overboard for a few weeks. In my case, which was probably typical, I was started out with a heart rate that was a steady 80 bpm, which left me struggling if I tried to do too much too quickly. It was very frustrating and worrying but ONLY because nobody had explained the process to me. I went back after a month and they "tweaked" the pacemaker which allowed my heart to range between 60bpm and 130bpm. The result has been everything I could have wished for. I have been to a second reading since and they left it as is but said that if that didn't suit my needs, they could tweak it again to recognise more extreme physical needs. I haven't tried cycling uphill, yet, nor do I have any burning desire to climb Everest so I am more than happy with this new me!

Look forward to Monday. Jos.

[franksavage in reply to jossikins]

Thankyou Jos your words are very informative AND encouraging, i am so nervous as i don't have anyone else family, im glad you told me about the getting used to it first ill take the proper time to readjust! eeeeek 1 more day and im in! will let you know!! Thanks to everybody on here you've all been so helpfull!

Frank

[Hidden]

Hi Frank

I have one too. I have AF and bradycardia, Before implant I was so ill and always feeling faint and couldn't do anything, now I have a life back again, go do it Frank. The change is amazing.

Carole

[franksavage in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Carole! i appreciate your words and support...