Pace maker.

[Dottilind]

Hi all have not been on for ages, I have had four episodes since September so really nothing to talk about. But the last attack I had the chest pains were worse than before. each time they seem to last longer. Had to see cardiac consultant yesterday and looks like I am to have a pacemaker and a new drug which I cannot pronpounce except it starts with A and has a lot of side effects. Are there many of you on this site that have pacemakers insitu. I would like to know what they do and how safe is it. Thanks everyone.

[tibetan36]

Hi!

I have had my pacemaker for about four years.

It was inserted because of Bradycardia where my pulse dropped to 40bpm. The pacemaker I have is completely reliable although there's a lump on the upper left of the chest which makes it uncomfortable when laying on the left side trying to sleep.

Because I've had an AV Node Ablation the PM controls my heart rate 100% of the time. At resting it sits on 60bpm.

At one stage I had a bout of Pacemaker Mediated Tachycardia where the pacemaker took control of my heart rate. This was well before the AV Node Ablation. I've never had a problem since then.

Cheers

Barry

[Bryonny]

I have a pacemaker. I am in permanent AF but also rare problem with electrical conduction pathway in the heart which I was told is very rare. No AV node ablation but bradycardic, so Pacemaker inserted in October last year. A few months later and I have felt better than I have done for many years. My understanding is that pacemakers are very safe. I was given lots of information before the procedure and attend regular follow ups. I have a pacemaker that is MRI compatible and had an MRI a few weeks ago which was completely straight forward. Wishing you all the best.

[Hidden]

Hi after surgery to surgically ablate my af pathways and open heart surgery to remove a benign tumour in my heart eight month after due to heart rate falling 40 and below or having 8 second pauses a pacemaker was fitted that was over two years ago. I take flecainide and bisoprolol the three between them keep me on an even ish keel. I am kept pacing at 60 bpm and can go to 125 with exercise. As it's keeping me going I welcome it and am much better for having it

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ps is medication Amiodorome?

[Dottilind in reply to Hidden]

Hi Frills yes I am sure that is the name of the drug the consultant mentioned.

[colkat]

Hi, I have had a pacemaker for 20yrs now. Forget mine is there unless its mentioned, I have been for 3 battery changes since, I also have mine on the right side of my chest as they asked if I was left or right handed when they put it in.Go for annual check up once a year, it was through this checkup last year that they told me I had AF, only other thing is that at airports I carry a card and show the staff so I dont go through the scanner. Its very safe and the procedure to have it put in was painless and only done with a local because they need to know how you feel when they are customising it to you.

[seasider18]

Make sure that you get an MRI compatible one in case you ever need an MRI scan.

If you suffer from any metal allergy they can insert it in 'piggy' pouch. Wish that I had known that one.