Pacemaker decided

[Vony]

I had my appointment with my EP yesterday and we have decided to go ahead with the pacemaker. This decision has not been made lightly by either of us and my EP has exhausted every option possible to avoid it but we decided that enough is enough with how severe and frequent my symptoms are. I read a lot on this forum that people feel so much better after pacemaker and am interested to hear any advice or mostly reassurance! I really look forward to an improvement in my quality of life. I am lying here after being awake for much of the night in fast AF and feel hopeful for the first time in a long time that I won't have to put up with the severity of my arrhythmias for much longer. I am going in in a few weeks time

[pottypete1]

I do hope that you get some relief with having a pacemaker implanted.

I can't speak from experience except to say that AF, when the symptoms are so bad, is so difficult to cope with.

It doesn't matter how much sage like advice is given it still ruins QOL.

Pete

[Vony in reply to pottypete1]

How are you keeping pottypete?

[pottypete1 in reply to Vony]

Morning Vony

Thanks for asking.

I am a bit scared to say how I feel.

The reason:

It is 4 weeks tomorrow since my last ablation and I am feeling better than I have for years.

It is early and despite it being Autumn I know "one swallow does not make a spring".

Pete

[Vony in reply to pottypete1]

That's wonderful Pete. 4 weeks is a long time for a hardened AF warrior like you or I. You deserve it. I am really pleased for you xx

[CDreamer]

Oh Vony - I do hope it helps. How utterly miserable for you being so symptomatic and disabled by this condition. I have bad days but the episodes are relatively short and spaced apart.

I can only go on my husband's experience - pacemaker fitted in Jan 2013 - originally because of SSS but he was having bouts of AF as well and the thoughts were he could then take beta blockers, he never has though as his HR rarely goes north of 90 in AF.

The procedure was very quick - 45 mins - under a local anaesthetic, kept in overnight purely because of his age - 79 at the time. He is 83 now, very active, very fit and enjoying life. He still has AF episodes and can feel tired sometimes but not incapacitated.

Hope that encourages and helps - much love and best wishes flying your way. x

[Jollies]

Sitting here after a bad night, feeling breathless and shattered, and thinking, go for it! At this very second in time I would xxx

[Vony in reply to Jollies]

Yes, I understand that feeling jollies . Sometimes I feel as if I have been through a storm. Hope you feel better soon xx

[Jollies in reply to Vony]

Thanks, off to teach P1 , maybe they will be quiet today x

[Hidden]

My cousin's had one fitted and she's very pleased, hope it goes well for you.

[dedeottie]

I am so pleased that you now have a plan to go forward with. Quality of life is so important and when life is good and AF is at bay it is easy to take things for granted. At present mine is under control due to a partially successful ablation and flecanide. When I am in AF I can do very little. I cant even sing and singing is very important to me. If I were to end up in AF again,as I cant have another ablation, I would certainly take the pacemaker route. I know it doesnt actually cure the AF but it is the fast irregularity of the ventricular beat , that causes me distress and stops but living life to the full and as I understand it, a pacemamer would deal with that.

Go for it. You have thought it out, there are no other options so go get some quality of life back.

Please keep posting progress as Im sure a lot of us will be interested.

I will be thinking about you. X

[P0rtnahapp1e]

Oh Vony , so sorry for you, but everyone I speak to re pacemakers is happy that they had it done. My sister is 79 and has had one for nine years, (she's a lot older than I 😀).

My cardiologist mentioned one that she thought might suit me, (three string or something), but she needed to consult the technicians to see if she was correct.

It's a shame that you have to wait a few weeks. In cases like this it's better to be whipped in before you know it and then you don't get time to think. Xx

[Beehive1]

I had a pacemaker fitted 5 weeks ago. I don't feel breathless like I was before and am sleeping better which is a major improvement. I still experìence ectopics and af. I feel my af was more frequent for the first 4 weeks and has only settled this week. I am putting it down to havìng the leads repositioned and generally being poked in the heart. The cardiologist said that it is not a cure for AF but if the bouts are triggered by the bradycardia then by dealing with that, the AF may lessen, I am living in hope. I had a stroke exactly a year ago and sometimes can't believe the path the previously undiagnosed AF has taken in such a relatively short time. Having said that I'm glad to be here and still able to whinge!

[Finvola]

Vony, I'm sorry that the decision had to be made to go down this route, as you and your EP had hoped to avoid it, but getting rid of those dreadful pauses and the feelings that must accompany them will improve your QOL tremendously.

Like P0rtnahapp1e , I have heard only good reports from people with PM - one with severe AF. Sending you great hugs and very best wishes for a much better future - please let us know how you get on. xxx

[Mickey16]

Hi Vony,

I had a Pacemaker fitted 18 months ago. It has transformed my life. Like everyone else I worried I was doing the right thing and came to the conclusion I was feeling so unwell, it was the right decision for me at that time.

My issues stemmed from Bradycardia which caused other issues and it has smoothed the affects dramatically. Before I had it fitted I could barely walk across the front room. Now I have built up to being able to do 3 miles most days and sometimes more occasionally... :)) My advice is don't over do things when Pacemaker is fitted. Let your body heal in the early months, and let the Doctors find the best setting for you.

It took a couple of visits to the Pacemaker Clinic at the beginning, but now things are settled and its yearly reviews now.... I have found it amazing that this procedure has made such a difference to my health.

Everyone is different and has different issues, but I hope my experience helps a little.

Very best wishes,

Mickey16

[meadfoot]

Best wishes for the pacemaker procedure Vony, you can't go on like this so it's clearly the right way forward for you. Thinking of you and hope the current fast af eases very soon,. Take care, sending cyber hugs. X

[jeanjeannie50]

Morning Vony, I've too have heard so many good reports of far better health after having pacemakers fitted. You certainly can't go on as you are. Are you having anything done to your sinus node at the same time? I think they call it pace and ablate - but then I could be wrong and that could relate to something entirely different.

Jean

[Hidden]

HI Vony,

I'm in the process of having a CRT-D pacemaker fitted. With my CRT-D unit it was implanted in August but not switched on. I will be reviewed next week to make sure there is no infection and no technical issues with the implantation procedure. I then go on the waiting list for my AV Node Ablation. Only once my hearts natural pacemaker is switch off will they activate and fine tune the mechanical pacemaker - and I start to reap the benefits of a fully synchronised heart!

It took me a while to get my head around the whole concept of being reliant on a battery powered piece of kit. But my EP was very clear that the reliability of these units is almost 100% and should they fail there is a small amount of my AV Node to put me into "limp mode" and get me to hospital. Bottom line is the technology will be more reliable than my own heart.

If you check out my timeline you will get some idea of the process. Let us know how you get on.

Regards

Ogilvie

[Hidden]

Hi VONY Everybody is different as far as the results of the PM I had mine fit 2013 and so far have been fine but I would like to put you at ease as far as the procedure goes it takes less than 45 mins and I felt no pain at all just the feeling of a bit of pushing as he put it in my pocket near my shoulder.I stayed in over night and the following day it was a little bit sore and told not to lift my arm above my shoulder for 24 hours but apart from that it,s no problem all the best.

[Buffafly]

I'm sorry to hear that because your last post sounded quite hopeful, but I hope it is a great success!

[cassie46]

Hi - I am alittle confused about the pacemakers mentioned above. Are they to stop your HR going to slow (my dad had one for this) or do they also help with fast HR and stabalize that. I have been told I need a pace and ablate. I have permanet AF would jus a pace maker help me.

Cassie

[Beehive1 in reply to cassie46]

Hi Cassie I have paroxysmal AF. I was prescribed Bisoprolol which caused my heart rate to drop (this is what the cardiologist said but I have since been advised the rate may previously have been low.) leading to bradycardia/tachycardia and sick sinus syndrome. The pacemaker is to take care of the slow beat and eliminate the associated risks e.g. passing out. It may reduce the incidences of AF over time by keeping the heart rate steady at 60.

[Beehive1 in reply to Beehive1]

Just to clarify by steady at 60; I mean take care of the slow beats. It won't slow the fast beats..

[Teignfisher]

Hi Vony

Had my 3 lead Pacemaker fitted April 2016 after 3ablations and ran out of alternative medications. Since then I have had only 2 AF events each lasting only 4or 5 hours and self reverted each time, something which never happened prior to the pacemaker being fitted. I have suffered from AF for 19 years.

It had been fitted with the intention of an AV node ablation but after talking things through with my EP it was decided to delay any further procedure until I feel it necessary. So far I feel fine and am more than happy to stay with the status quo.

I hope you find your procedure as successful as mine. Good luck and keep us posted.