Are you pleased with your pace-maker?

[phoebedrews]

I would like to know if people who have received pace-makers are pleased with the outcome. My doctor has given me the week-end to determine if I want to have the implant. I am a 78 year old female with severe scoliosis - very bent over - but able to do most anything except walk very far with a cane. I have a caring husband and two children who are very responsive to my needs. I was first diagnosed with AFib in August, our 54th wedding anniversary. We still were able to celebrate it that evening.

Thank you for your help and info.

[Hidden]

Hi Phoebe, I am 73 and a retired nurse in the US. After being diagnosed with afib in 2011 we tried several different types of drugs-2 cardioversions. Long story short I had side effects from most of my cardiac meds that were more bothersome to me than they were worth. My EP explained to me that he thought my sx would be helped with 'pace and ablate'. This was in 2016 after my afib progtessed to a diagnosis of tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome. This simplymeans that I would alternate with fast beating runs and slow heart rate. Never knew which was coming. I did have a single lead demand pacemaker inserted along with an AV node ablation. I felt calmer and better right away and for me this has worked out well. Since then I am off all cardiac meds and I'm glad I did it. Of course this is my history. You and your doc must decide if this is for you. I would say the main question to answer about having this done is: What is your quality of life with your current treatment and would having this procedure give you better quality. We all have our idea of the most comfortable way we want to live. So think about your answer and talk with your doc. Good luck and take care. irina1975

[phoebedrews in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much, Irina.

[Buffafly]

Hello, I know from experience that scoliosis makes any kind of movement tiring if not painful. From what I have read of others comments I believe the pacemaker helps energy levels. If you type ' pacemaker' next to the little magnifying glass top right you may be able to read some comments. Best wishes.

[phoebedrews in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you for your sympathy and advice.

[Hidden]

Hi I had a pacemaker in Aug 2014 it keeps my heart beating at sixty a minute. I was very bradycardic on exertion. A short time later another part was activated to raise my heart rate to 125 if exercising. I was 59 at the time. I go to the gym most days, my pacemaker and my meds keep me in a reasonable state. Definitely better than I was pre pacemaker.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi frills. It's the same for me. Couldn't have said it better. I am so much less tired without all the 'up and down' rates. And, I hope, easier to live with, tho you'd have to ask my family about that(lol).

[phoebedrews]

Thank you, Frills. I try to go to the health center for exercise 3 X a week. I used to do many of the floor exercises, but as my scoliosis worsened I switched to water activities. In the water I am able to stand out straight. The moves help my whole body and am also able to ignore the afib for 45 minutes! From the responses I have seen I believe will have the pacemaker inserted.

[Hidden in reply to phoebedrews]

Good luck and take care. I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible for you. Let us all know how it goes.

[7Helena]

I too have scoliosis so commiserate. Although I do find it painful as well as tiring. A while ago I had tests to see if a pacemaker would benefit as my heart rate is so up and down with Afib. I also believe that scoliosis can affect the rate - what do you think? (It was decided that a pacemaker wouldn't be of any benefit to me.) I do hope that you make the decision to accept while you have the opportunity as I know several who had one fitted and haven't looked back.