Pacemaker

[lindyloo59]

My husband is nearly 66 and has to have pacemaker fitted in 2 weeks which came as a shock. He is in permanent af after having 2 cardioversions which worked for one year each. Dr didnt suggest another one. He also has an Artificial heart valve too put in 2005. I would like any reassuring advice please. Many thanks

[bantam12]

I had my pacemaker at 65 and it’s been a huge relief knowing it’s there and kicking in if I need it, apart from taking things easy during the 6 week recovery time I can forget about it ! The procedure is slightly brutal but it’s quick, mine was about 30 mins start to finish and I went home a few hours later, I did have a lot of bruising after which was quite painful but apart from not raising that arm above shoulder height for 6 weeks, not driving for a week or 2 and just being a bit careful there really isn’t much to it.

At least he doesn’t have to worry about bra straps rubbing the incision !

[lindyloo59 in reply to bantam12]

Many thanks for reply yes he doesnt have bra straps !! That info is reassuring. I suppose when he had open heart surgery this surgery would be a heck of a lot easier. Are you still in af now?

[CDreamer in reply to lindyloo59]

Open heart surgery would be a big deal, PM insertion is not.

[bantam12 in reply to lindyloo59]

I don’t know when I’m in AF, never did. I had my pm so that I could take the meds without my rate going to low and I also have 2nd degree heart block so it stops the pauses I got with that. My late husband also had a pm and he had no problems with it at all.

[CDreamer]

I had pacemaker inserted 2018 - real easy procedure under local anaesthetic and if required light sedation. It depends upon the type of pacemaker, the individual and the reason a PM was recommended.

I had a 3 lead resynchronisation therapy pacemaker and felt better from day 1. My procedure took longer because the LV lead takes a lot more time and skill to place than a 2 lead, about 2 hours. Even so - on the ward for 1.00pm and home for evening meal by 7.30pm.

In the last year I was in AF for 1% of the time whilst prior to insertion I was headed toward persistent AF with 3-5 very symptomatic episodes per week meaning I was in AF for about 75% of the time.

I think many people believe this is major open heart surgery, it isn't and it's quite remarkable just how advanced the technology now is. My PM is monitored 24/7 via a smart phone app so I don't even need to physically go to the clinic for checks. I can see how much battery power remains - estimated 8 years currently. Everything is logged and gives the doctors chapter and verse as to what your heart is up to electrically. I find it incredibly reassuring.

I wouldn't hesitate if it was offered. I'd had all the drug therapy and 2 ablations prior to PM, this is the only thing that has allowed me to maintain NSR for more than a couple of years. Hope it is as effective for your husband. Proviso - nothing is guaranteed to work and doesn't work for everyone.

[Daisaku in reply to CDreamer]

What kind of pacemaker do you have?

[CDreamer in reply to Daisaku]

RST as I said in my post.

[Daisaku in reply to CDreamer]

thank you.

[Chrissy7 in reply to Daisaku]

Hi CD .. following my last post.. I’m now researching Pacemaker. Know my HR will go too low again on 120 mg diltiazem . I’m not sure why he wanted to add flecainide however- when I look at the consequences personally I’m thinking these powerful drugs I’m going to think that I just be better off with a pacemaker..

Not sure why they told me I’m too young and if I had been in my 70s they would just have put a pacemaker in. Why do they think I want to go through all of this now?

I don’t want to have another failed ablation

and waste another year waiting.

Appreciate your opinion .. and experience .

What is the down side of a pacemaker anyway?

[Ppiman]

My neighbour's sister, who is in her late 70s, had a pacemaker fitted about six months ago. In her case, she refused to take sotalol or flecainide as she felt they were too unsafe for her. The pacemaker is allowing her to take higher doses of bisoprolol without being affected by the bradycardia those doses bring on, and it also has the ability to micro-shock her heart to stop her PAF. when that occurs (which, she told me recently has been four times so far).

She's very pleased with her new device and seems well.

Steve

[lindyloo59 in reply to Ppiman]

Many thanks for your reply!

[tabletphobic]

It came as a shock to me when I had to have one, everything happened far too suddenly, but... the op isn't bad at all and I've had no problems with it after the initial having to not reach out for 6 weeks. Don't worry

[lindyloo59 in reply to tabletphobic]

Thanks for your reassuring reply 😀

[Sally_Scott]

Hi Lindy. Try not to worry. I too was a permanent afiber. Having had several cardioversions, ablations then finally going into heart failure bi had my pacemaker inserted 18 months o and haven’t looked back. No more Afib good luck for your husband.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Sally_Scott]

Many thanks your reply is reassuring 😀

[Dollcollector in reply to Sally_Scott]

A pacemaker doesn't stop a.fib, it only raises your pulse if it starts to go too low. It doesn't stop it going to fast and it doesn't stop the irregularity of your pulse.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Dollcollector]

Thanks 😀

[Dollcollector in reply to lindyloo59]

It has stopped my blackouts. After the first few weeks l am not aware of it anymore. Hope your husband feels better for having it.

[Hatten28]

Hi , I had my first pace maker inserted at age 64 I am now 82 and had a third pacemaker replaced about 18 months ago.I found it a simple minor operation apart from a sore left arm for a while.

Well worth it, good luck.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Hatten28]

Thank you hope you remain well 😀

[Geoffa1]

Best thing that could happen. A modern PM with telemetry should be seen as real time diagnostic smart tool. It has the capability to provide realtime diagnosis 24/7 giving your EP a very thorough understanding of the state of your heart.Only problem is tells the EP how active or inactive you have been. No more fibs.

I get a three month print out of major key data.

You need to keep the 4G device close by your bed, if you travel and forget expect to get a please explain after 24hrs.

[Jimmy37]

At 84 had a pacemaker fitted Jan,21 ,20 min job, no bruising little bit of discomfort, received an ablation in July 21 . Af completely gone, the whole process not quite a piece of cake but no where near as bad as I thought. Good luck and try not to worry.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Jimmy37]

Thank you for the reassurance 😀

[blulla1]

I think this dietary protocol will help. Some results may come in a week or so, but I have found that more quantifiable, data-based results will take time, several months at least, but it is well worth considering. carrafibdietinfo.com/

[Skertchly]

I’ve had no problems since my pacemaker fitted. It’s checked every year.

[cindyrella]

I had a pacemaker inserted one year ago. My operation went fairly smoothly. I had minimal bruising around the area. I stayed overnight in the hospital and left around 10a the next morning. You cannot raise your arm for many weeks and must be careful when bathing and sleeping. My husband helped me in the shower. The bra straps were a problem. Fortunately, he won't worry about that! This is a piece of cake compared to open heart surgery! I still have occasional AF. Good luck!

[Ashburton51]

I had two ablations which didn't work for me and I had side effects from every tablet I was given. I am now just on Apixaban. It will be almost four weeks since I had my pacemaker fitted. My consultant recommended that I have the pace and ablate procedure as that is more successful for me. Fitting the pacemaker was done under local anesthetic and was straight forward, just a two lead pacemaker. However there was a lot of bruising for which I took Arnica and that helped a lot. I have been very careful not to move my left arm too much to ensure that the leads stay put but can move it above my head now. The site does ache a bit when I have a shower etc so I just take two paracetamol and they do the trick. I am still getting bouts of AF but was told that would happen until I have my ablation. Every post I have read on here about the pace and ablate procedure has been positive. I am sure it will be a positive thing for your husband to have. By the way I am 70! but still think I am 40!!!

[lindyloo59 in reply to Ashburton51]

Many thanks I hope so. All the best!

[Loplop]

i had a pacemaker fitted in January last year. Like yourself shocked, as i felt quite fit. However had AF and didnt realsie it. So good news really. The operation was painless, I remained conscious and relaxed, even chatting to the staff. No problems since. Nothing to worry about .

[lindyloo59]

Thank you for that reply much appreciated