New Pacemaker 👍🏻

[CharLEEXCX]

Hello, I'm new to this site. I became a 2 time stroke survivor at 31 years old, I have a internal loop recorder fitted and at 34, I've recently had a pacemaker fitted due to an underperforming heart. Is there anybody else similar to my age who has had a pacemaker fitted??

[Elfmaiden]

I am slightly older at 43 and had my fitted in February. Hope you are recovering well it takes some getting used to but you will be fine. Take care of your wound and you will have restricted arm movements for approx 6 weeks. Let others assist and spoil you for a while. I am coming up to 5 months now and my device is very reassuring and feels apart of me now and causes me no bother.

[CharLEEXCX in reply to Elfmaiden]

I'm having my stitches removed tomorrow morning, I keep getting palpitations in my chest and the feeling of a heavy heart beat, is this normal?

[bantam12 in reply to CharLEEXCX]

Have you had a pacing check yet ? You may need the settings tweaked if you are getting odd sensations.

[CharLEEXCX in reply to bantam12]

No but I'm ringing them today

[Yasyass]

Hi to the post wishing u all the best let us know how u r doing

[CharLEEXCX in reply to Yasyass]

Hey, I'm doing OK thank you, it's taking some getting use too but I'll get there in time 👍🏻

[EMBoy]

Welcome to the wonderful world of pacing. I'm quite a bit older than you (64), but still relatively new to having a pacemaker (11 months since I got mine). I can identify with the palpitations and heavy heart beat. For me these lasted about 3 months and then started to go away. I still get the feeling of palpitations occasionally, but due to Covid, I am overdue for a pacing check and haven't been able to ask about it. At my second check-up six months ago, the physiologist told me I had had an episode of palpitations one night. I remember waking up with my heart doing the fandango, but it doesn't seem to have done any harm.

I know that it takes the heart a while to settle down after a pacemaker has been implanted, so I am not worrying too much, and the fantastic way I feel now outweighs any concerns I have had.

I wish you all the best. If you feel the need to chat to someone of your own age with a PM, there is a forum called Pacemaker Club that is similar to this one, but just for people with pacemakers. There are plenty of people of your age and much younger who would be happy to share their experience with you.

[CharLEEXCX in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you for your comment and advice, really appreciate your help 👍🏻

[jowalk6]

Hi hun I'm older than you at 48. I had a defibrillator fitted 6 years ago and changed to one with a pacemaker 18 months ago. The palpatations and things will get easier. Just give yourself time to heal and you will get used to it. If you have worries mention them to the pacemaker team when you get your stitches out. I wasn't stitched I was glued, I remember when the surgery was over and they tried to roll me the nurse said oh dear he's glued you to the bed lol.. It will get easier hun just watch you don't raise that arm x

[Scoopdogg]

How long are folk off work after having a pacemaker fitted?

[CharLEEXCX in reply to Scoopdogg]

I asked my doctor and he said whenever I can, providing I'm careful (not lifting anything, straining, climbing ladders etc) and my employer knows about my situation regarding my pacemaker and operation. It may be different for others depending on how old they are or how well the operation went.

[Scoopdogg in reply to CharLEEXCX]

Thanks! Hope yours went well and your recovery fast