i need help and advice to get pacemaker implant

[mezeempyrian]

Hi, I’m new here ... I hope you will find the patience to read my long story, and please forgive me for writing mistakes i'm still learning. Im 34 years old and i emigrated in Uk 1 year ago, because my sister live here since 11 years and my mother live in itally. In 2003 cardiologists discovered I was born with a heart defect and it was a miracle that I survived to that age, i immediately had a heart surgery to fix a DSA heart defect and other problems, i recovered well and i was well few years until the heartbeat begin to slow down, i currently under medication Ramipril and Teotard 350 (theophylline), the problem is now i do not feel good at all, i get tired verry fast, i have breathing problems and I feel very dizzy, sometimes I feel like I can lose consciousness at any moment, I visited a private cardiologist and he strongly advised me to get a pacemaker as soon as possible. I tried to contact my GP (The Phoenix Practice) trough PATCHS app to get an appointment but i recived no answer so currently im in proces of changing my gp. My question is.....since the Covid pandemic i worked only few months to a indian phone fixing shop so i dont have medical insurance, and all the money i managed to save is around 2000 £ after paying my rent and food, and im afraid is not even close enough to pay foar a pacemaker, there is any way i will get one free trough NHS? if yes what are the chances to get the new model Micra that get inside the heart? I had a verry hard life until now and i have alot of defects, in 2002 after an explosion something got inside my left eye so i had a eye surgery i currently see only 10% and there is a visible defect, then i had a leg surgery, then hernia surgery, then heart surgery.... my body is full of scars and i have a crooked spine....i'm full of defects and mentally i can't support them, i have anxiety and the the idea of having a classic pacemaker implanted with the ugly scar and the wires inside my body , long time recoverry and limitations that come after it makes me wonder if it's still worth fighting.....i want to be free to make sports like swimming to keep my crooked spine under control. So if anyone have advice for me or a contact where i can ask for help fixing my problem it will be highly appreciated, im desperate....monday my father died at the age of 51 in itally so im out from UK for about 10 days to help my mother with the funeral and say goodbye to him for last time, then i will be back in London, thank you all in advance

[Hdev]

I have had a classic pacemaker since March this past year,,2021,,,the so called ugly scar has faded to the point of being almost non-existent to the eye and the wires are not felt or obvious in any way,,,recovery was within a week other than a bit restricted arm movements,,,and now I just don’t hold my phone to my chest or sit on top of the microwave! Really,,,it’s what you make of it,,,and compared to rough stuff like my 2 knee replacements or my current spinal stenosis,,,a pacemaker was a breeze and I am thankful to have it,,,try to be as positive as you can and be safe and help your heart,,,,it’s not so bad,,,honest! You’ve been through a lot and hopefully,,it’s beyond time for smooth sailing,,,,wishing you well!

[mezeempyrian in reply to Hdev]

thank you for your fast reply,

can you do gym and the most important for me can you do swimming without the risk of move the wires from the place? did you feel any pain during the procedure? thank you!

[Hdev in reply to mezeempyrian]

I had no pain during procedure and was in what they call “light sleep”,,,,drugged so I would not remember anything,,,it’s what they use commonly in the USA,,,I would call it discomfort if I moved abruptly right after but not pain,,,no pain pills needed at all,,,,I could go to the gym if I weren’t hindered by spinal stenosis right now and my age 74 is a tad restrictive,,,but was told swimming ok,,,,check with your MD and see what is possible,,,you will be surprised!

[mezeempyrian in reply to Hdev]

thank you

[Eadaoin in reply to Hdev]

I’ve had a pacemaker for 14 years. I forget it’s there and just live my life. I was first referred by my GP to the hospital for a Cardiology appointment. There the implant was offered and then implanted. But that is not the end of the story because the pacemaker has to be checked once a year at the hospital. You do not say if you have leave to remain in the UK or plan to become a UK citizen. Since Brexit the rules have changed. I suggest you find those out first by speaking to Citizens Advice Bureau or somewhere similar. Once that is sorted you can register with a GP who will then give you an appointment and possibly a referral. Very best wishes for the future.

[mezeempyrian in reply to Eadaoin]

thank you for reply, i plan to remain in UK and i applied for pre-settled status

[Tombob]

I had a pacemaker fitted in 2008 and a new one 8 years later to replace the battery. It was painful for the first couple of days but the pain gradually went. Now the scar is barely visible and I don't even think about having one. Since having the pacemaker I have walked up mountains and hills and I just get on with my life. I would say not to worry about having one and I hope you can get it sorted soon wherever you are living.

[Breesha]

I swim every day with my pacemaker, no scar , no wire to show , be grateful that you have been offered such a wonderful thing, I have never looked back , I have a monitor by my bed and at anytime the Hospital hundreds of miles away can read off the results as I sleeep, mine is a Boston cRT d fantastic.

[Hidden]

Whether you would qualify for free NHS treatment depends on your status. Even if you do, it is up to the consultant what pacemaker he thinks is suitable . The Micra is very new, and not suitable for everybody. I believe only certain hospitals use it at the moment. I would suggest reading the info on this site to see if you might possibly get NHS treatment. You would have to prove you are what they call an "ordinarily resident". Check out : doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/wp...