What's life like with a pacemaker?

[Cornedbeef]

Hi, I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who is living with a pacemaker. My father is 85 and has been recommended a pacemaker by his cardiologist following 2 collapses, a slow heart rate and slow atrial fibrillation. He is somewhat reticent and is concerned about how uncomfortable the device is once inserted especially as he reliably sleeps on his left hand side. If anyone is please able to share any differences having a pacemaker makes to their day to day life and if they have experienced any issues that would be very helpful.

[RufusScamp]

I forget I have it - nearly 3 years now. The site is a bit sore for a few days, and you have to be careful lifting the arm that side for a couple of days. If he still drives, he will be told when it is safe to resume - this depends on the actual device, and he will need to inform the DVLA. He should be given all these instructions.

I have a remote monitor beside the bed, which the cardio people read every 6 months or so, and I had to go to the clinic after 2 years to have the settings checked. Beyond that, it makes no difference to me

[Cornedbeef in reply to RufusScamp]

Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated!

[Crystal614]

I've had my pacemaker for over 4 years. I don't have a remote monitor so I go to the pacing clinic once a year to get it checked. For the first week after having it implanted I was told not to raise my arms above shoulder height. The wound site was sore for a few days other than that my pacemaker causes no issues for me. Advice will be given on discharge from the hospital.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Crystal614]

Thank you for your response, much appreciated

[10gingercats]

A friends mother had one of these fitted in London and continued with an active life until aged 99.

[Buddy00]

You should speak to the cardiologist before getting the pm fitted. It doesn’t have to go on the left side it can very easily be put on the right side. My cardiologist spoke to me beforehand and asked if I was left or right handed so that I could still use my arm normally.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Buddy00]

That is very useful to know, thank you so much

[56dick19]

Hi I have a ICD for about 7 years now it was uncomfortable to start with but after a few months I couldn’t even feel it and I can sleep on any side with out a problem. I’m sure after a while he will forget it’s there

[Cornedbeef in reply to 56dick19]

That's good to know, thank you

[BeeBee79]

I found the procedure itself much more uncomfortable than the ablations I had and I would say the information about aftercare downplays how much pain you’re in. I was o my 43 at the time and couldn’t even get dressed by myself. It took about 2 weeks to feel more normal (although I had been through a traumatic experience), it took about 3 months to get used to the feeling of it but for me, it gives me such peace of mind. Mine is an ICD with pacing leading so. It sure if that is different y to pacemaker - I’m assuming it’s the same but I could T be without mine. Just wish there more discussion about how you feel afterwards x

[Cornedbeef in reply to BeeBee79]

That's good to know, thank you very much

[Wales99 in reply to BeeBee79]

I am so glad you said this! I had mine (a pacemaker) fitted today & my goodness I wasn’t prepared for the pain & discomfort on fitting it & afterwards. Everything you read makes it sound so simple & easy with minimal discomfort. Made me feel like maybe I was over reacting. Def should be more discussion on aftercare. 😊

[Queenieu]

Hi there I'm 44 years old and I've jus had a pacemaker.really scary stuff but all thing considered I'm ok .my experience was a lot of pain in the begging as time went on I am feeling a lot better .I wish Ur father well and all the best

[Cornedbeef in reply to Queenieu]

Thank you for letting me know, glad you're feeling better now

[Su51zye]

I had my PM fitted but unfortunately it went wrong and I had a second one fitted 2 weeks later, it was very traumatic and the pain from the first one was unbearable, however, I have never looked back since the second one which is actually under my arm and I have got use to it but difficult to sleep on my left side and I can’t fully extend my left arm as I can certainly feel it pulling. All that aside, I have never fainted since I had it which is amazing as I had 7 sec pauses which were terrifying for me and loved ones. I have the monitor and I feel more confident that they can pick up any problems. I was a very fit 60 year old with a very slow heart rate that kept pausing when I had it fitted, 63 now and you wouldn’t know I had a PM and still teaching aerobic classes

[Cornedbeef in reply to Su51zye]

Many thanks for your reply and good to hear your experience. Teaching aerobic classes, that's impressive!

[Circular]

I would advise that you encourage your father to have the device fitted.

The discomfort of having a pacemaker fitted is small in comparison to the benefits it gives. The feeling of security it gives restores confidence in your body and energy level is increased. No more collapses or sluggish heart rate.

For me (70 years of age at the time)the fitting and the first week or so afterwards was a bit uncomfortable but before long I was almost completely unaware of having the device in my body. I have it checked every 6 months by the Cardiac Physiologist.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Circular]

Many thanks for your advice, much appreciated

[CyclingTime]

My father had one fitted and like most here pain for a couple of days and that was it. Changed his life

[Cornedbeef in reply to CyclingTime]

Great to know, thank you!

[Bingo88]

Good morning Cornedbeef. I had my pacemaker 3 years ago now and the procedure to fit it took 90 minutes for me. And I had no pain or discomfort and with no drowsy medication I was fully awake. Your Dad will be better wearing button up shirts for 6 weeks to save lifting his arm above his shoulders. It is difficult and painful to sleep on the pacemaker arm for a few weeks. I was ok after a month. Worth getting a V pillow to help him get comfortable in bed. We all react differently to accepting the pacemaker. Some struggle emotionally. The scar area should be starting to heal within a week, they sometimes use glue to stitch the area. The pacemaker keeps your heart going and keeps you alive. I was more concerned about my copd. I guess that occupied my mind more than the pacemaker. Let us now how he gets on. Brian

[Cornedbeef in reply to Bingo88]

Many thanks for sharing your experience, very valuable.

[playcards]

Have had mine 5 yrs, am 76. I have slept comfortably on my left side since the start.

[Cornedbeef in reply to playcards]

Very good to know, thank you

[Curryandchips]

I have 2 separate units in my chest cavity; A CRT pacemaker, located in my gut and an ICD in my right shoulder. I should have had both in one unit but that's a long story and not relevant to your situation.

I, like your Dad, was very retizent about getting it but I can assure you you won't know it's there once the wound has healed. Sleeping isn't a prob;em and I just get on with life.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Curryandchips]

Very good to know, thank you

[Harefieldfan]

hi. My husband has one - he doesn’t seem to notice it.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Harefieldfan]

Thank you for letting me know, much appreciated

[Hidden]

Hello, My father-in-law had a pacemaker fitted 2 years ago at 83 years old. Like your father, he had a couple of collapses, the second of which happened on concrete steps and he ended up in hospital as result. He was lucky. At his age he's quite active, overly to be honest so it's been a godsend to him.

My pacemaker is 10years old next month, I'm due a battery change I've had it that long. Other than the odd setting change now and again, it's never caused me any problem whatsoever. I sleep on the left, right, face down, on my back, without any issues.

You soon forget about it, once the healing process is over and done with, and get on as normal.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your reply, very pleased to hear the pacemaker has made such a difference to your life

[Qualipop]

My friend's husband had one fitted last year. The site was sore for a couple of weeks and he had to protect it from the car seat belt but once it had healed he simply never notices it, even if it fires. Apart from having an automatic recorder that sends messages of any events, by his bedside he never thinks about it and it's made his life so much better. They are onw far smaller than you imagine and if he tells them he sleeps on his left they will try to place it c arefully.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Qualipop]

Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated

[Deejay62]

I have a cardiac resynchronisation therapy pacemaker with a defibrillator added CRT-D. Before that I had CRT-P. It as 3 leads. I had my recent one fitted almost 5 years ago. I forget I have it most times, and I sleep on my left and on my right. My only issue is my illness not the device. Once it’s settled just live your life the best you can. All the best

[Cornedbeef in reply to Deejay62]

Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated

[EMBoy]

I'm 67 and had two collapses - one was partial and only lasted a few seconds, but the second one put me out for the count. I also had frequent episodes of feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

I haven't collapsed or felt lightheaded since I had my PM fitted just over 4 years ago.

It was a bit painful for the first couple of weeks, but after that, I just felt better and better. After a few months, I hardly noticed it was there, and it has really changed my life for the better.

I'm sure your father will feel much better after his is fitted.

[Cornedbeef in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you for your reply, very reassuring

[Hdev]

I’ve had mine over 2 years now,,,minor issues when sleeping ,,a bit sore in the morning if I turned over and slept on it scrunched up,,but that goes away in a bit,,,you also don’t want to lean on it if you bend into the fridge to get food out,,,but otherwise,,,don’t know it’s there,,,so glad my doctors read it periodically without my even going to the office,,,they can tell when I’ve been in afib and how long it lasted or any other irregular beats,,,it’s all rather amazing,,,I’m 76 and amazed at modern medicine at times,,my parents didn’t have half of the options,,, we have today,,,tell your Dad to go for it and be positive! he’ll be just fine!

[Cornedbeef in reply to Hdev]

Many thanks for your reply and positivity, much appreciated

[Hylda2]

Had mine fitted September last year , AV node November. 80 next month and feeling great

[Cornedbeef in reply to Hylda2]

Great to know, thank you

[Dewson]

I am 86 and have had a pacemaker for 9 years. It was replaced in January because the battery was reaching the end of its life. The operations were done under local anesthetic and there was no pain. One has to take care while the wound heals, but generally there is no discomfort and most of the time I forget it is there. I can sleep on either side. Your father should go ahead to avoid sudden death, as my surgeon said! Best wishes.

[Cornedbeef in reply to Dewson]

Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated