pacemaker

[Raymondo1950]

Hi, on Christmas Eve I had a pacemaker fitted a couple of hours later I was sent home.

My question is, while I feel ok I can’t help from feeling doom and gloom, is this normal?

What health care can I expect to get over the next few days/weeks

Thanks

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I have not got a pacemaker but had a triple heart Bypass and a lot of us after any procedure can feel this doom and gloom feeling that you are feeling now it is normal for some and you were not in long and need time to process and come to terms with it which you will

My Dad around your age had a pacemaker and he was fine and you will be to sounds the mental side is affecting you rather than the physical side which again is common but give yourself time and eventually you will just get on with life as before

I am sure others that have had pacemakers will come along and share their experiences with you in the meantime be kind to yourself x

[Raymondo1950 in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you, your kind words mean a lot

[BeKind28- in reply to Raymondo1950]

Hello

Remember it is Christmas so people will be logging on maybe a little less than usual but I hope as there are so many with pacemakers on here that they will reassure you when they see your post x

[Crystal614]

Hi, I have had my pacemaker for nearly 6 years. No doubt you will have been given info on what not to do for the first few weeks, to give the leads a chance to settle in. After those first few weeks life carried on as normal. I don't notice the pacemaker, it's there doing it's job. You may be feeling sore still and perhaps lying on the side where your pacemaker was inserted may be uncomfortable. I put a pillow under my shoulder to help. If I remember right, i had a check up at 6 weeks, then 3 months. I attend a pacing clinic where they run tests to make sure it is functioning OK, these are usually once or twice a year. You may have a pacemaker that they can access remotely. Otherwise having a pacemaker has made no difference to me.

[RufusScamp]

It's a shock to realise your body is letting you down a bit, but the pacemaker, like glasses or a hearing aid, is designed to help. I have had one for four years with no problems. The shock and doom does wear off.

Mine is monitored by a remote reader, so I just have hospital reviews every two years.

[Sharpglo]

It was such a shock to me being sent home so quickly even with a very sore throat. The culture with in hospitals has changed - its ‘thinkmof the mighty dollar’ first. Even to get some paracetamol was asking too much then to also ask for a a wheel-chair to take me to the door for pick-up seemed to be asking, for too much. I am in NZ. It took around 6 weeks for me to start to regain strength. Had an electrophysiologist check it after 2 weeks and then 3 months. It is going very well but made little difference to my dilated cardiomyopathy. All the best.

[FRUITGUM58 in reply to Sharpglo]

Hi Sharpgl, I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. I too have DCM. Initially 21% and now after 6 months of meds, 28%. My heart nurse wo t let me return to the gym or even do the NHS cardio programme unless it is 35% or more. She is also talking of a pacemaker and I will get tested for one in February. I don’t u der stand why if it is not going to increase my EF? Why did you have one? Thanks if you have the time to answer me. Fruitgum.

[Sharpglo in reply to FRUITGUM58]

It was out in to do just that. The cardiophysiologist showed me what my pressure was without pacer in then off a big difference. He showed me the line on a ecg which goes along and the bottom one went deeper down, said if was doing an excellent job. I did t ask what that exactly was. I suspect I am maybe 30%, i’ll know in aFeb. I have suspected that it is this awful pain I get that has caused my heart prob as I didn't have high bp and told my heart very good. Only a small amount, 20%, of tartar/calcium in arteries is it.. That was interesting what you were told. I went for a lunch with a friend last week and had to walk a small way it was a bit hard. We must keep in touch Fruitgum. I am female by the way. Happy 2025 x

[Sharpglo in reply to Sharpglo]

Meant to say that it was a biventeicular pacer I have.

[Pmj63]

I had a pacemaker when I was 57 and it came as a shock . I did feel very depressed and lost weight too but in 4 months I recovered fully and have forgotten all about it ..so cheer up you will be back to normal much sooner

[TAVIshock]

Anxiety normal after any cardiac intervention. As life goes on normally(more or less) you will stop fretting and enjoy it. Have a great new year

Tavishock

[Thaifan]

hi when I had mine fitted in 2022 I was out after 5 hours. I saw a technician 2 weeks later then a month later time between appointments then extended to 3 months, 6 months and is now once a year. The technicians are always happy to answerany questions. I saw the consultant after a bout 6 months but that’s it. Have not seen him since. It will take a few weeks to heal and for you to be able to get back to using arm fully etc. take it easy and do not rush things.

[Marmalade2]

Hi I did not have pacemaker fitted i had defibrillator fitted last year what should have been an hour turned i to 3 and a half for the op I was out and sent home 5 hours later with a compressed dressing on which I had to take off a day later I didn't go back for 3 months to see anyone at the hospital only my local GP . I didn't get any proper checks only yearly to test the device mentally it broke me having it fitted as I could not do my job which was manual handing and lifting but as time went on I have accepted its a part of me now and it's there to save my life if my heart stops suddenly which is my reality I have had to accept as I have considerable damage to heart , I know it's there as it sticks out from u der skin lime a boiled egg but you will get us3d to the device and it will be the norm for uou I vould not drive for 6 weeks and use my left arm for a number of weeks .

[Aopl]

My mum had hers fitted at the age of 90 and they replaced it this year, with a larger one they said, at the age of 99. She’s had no problems whatsoever. She has a little gizmo by her bedside which would send an alarm to the clinic should anything go amiss but it hasn’t gone off.

[Mollydex]

hi. I m n my second pacemaker. I think after any cardiac event it’s usual to feel very down. It’s a big thing coming to terms with cardiac problems, makes us all think about mortality. What I want to say is it will pass and if not chat to your GP. I look at my pace maker now as my really good friend , it has made my life so much better , I go running , I enjoy my grandchildren, I go camping , loads of life ! It’s a shock at first that you are not invincible, my grandchildren think it gives me bionic power 🤣( and I think they may be right ).

[airforce100 in reply to Mollydex]

Great to hear comments like yours, so positive! I’m 2 weeks in from a dual lead PM for the Tachy/Brady variant of SSS and so far, so good!

[TheMiloKid in reply to Mollydex]

I’ll raise you one! Just had the 3 rd one fitted 10th December in and out within 3 hours of having it done. My 1st one in 2007, 2nd 2014. I had a low heart rate at 27 which is why they fitted it. I also had aortic valve replaced 2015. Still bobbing on thankfully. Hope 2025 is a great year for all of us xx

[Alphakiwi]

I felt so good from day 1 because i expected to be so much better with one. Study all the info you can get always mr google is so good

[nilmonisikdar40]

Hi there, I imagine your pacmaker was fitted because you had complete heart block and your heart was running at a dangerously low level say about 30 per minute as opposed to normal 72 or so per minute. Check what is the heart rate now. I had a pacemaker fitted some years ago, Now a days the pacemakers are technologically more adavanced, has a long life battery and do not require so frequent checks. Is your pacemaker MRI compatible and thay is very important question to ask. I think the feelings you have described is because of something attached somewhere below left collar bone and you are not used to a metallic foreign body just under your skin. Wait for next appointment for your pacemaker check and you will be reassured. Regards.

[PinkKizzie in reply to nilmonisikdar40]

Hi nilmonisikdar40, I'd like to tell you my story. A pacemaker was advised due to LV impairment, LBBB, EF 25%. A pacemaker implant in November 22 didn't go to plan when the third lead pierced my heart and emergency OHS was performed to remove the lead and repair the hole. I have decided that I won't try again for a pacemaker as I don't think I'd cope with a 'box' inside my skin. Although I get tired and breathless, I feel well and take lots of meds. Apparently there is only a 1% chance of this happening. Wishing you well.

[croissants]

Have you joined the Pacemaker Group? Iy is a really good communiy with lots of experience. I have my emergency PM since end of June. You will have a 6 weekk check and probably be given a remote monitoring device that goes bedside. I found it really scary at first and was afraid to do very much. All I can say is try to keep moving around gently, no heavy lifting or swinging you left arm backward or in the air. I found sitting more upright in bed useful.. Lots use a "V" pillow, I used a small wedge one and learned to sleep on my back. I also got a few strange tweaks and a little pain around the site. The machine takes time to bed in. Welcome to the Cyborg club. I am sure it will be a positive for you.

[airforce100 in reply to croissants]

how do you join the pacemaker group?

[croissants in reply to airforce100]

I joined via Facebook - Group is called Pacemaker UK. You need to join and only members can reply etc. It really helped me.

[Bbirtma in reply to croissants]

Get this. I had a pm implanted about 6 months ago. At my first week review, pa said that I had been in AFib for 13 straight hours( I had never had an AFib diagnosis before although I visit my cardiologist every 3 months.) I asked whether that may have been an equipment anomaly and was told, no, AFib can go on that long and they practically insisted that I should begin the AFib medication and protocol immediately. I refused and said I'd wait until I could talk to my cardiologist first ( he of course supported his electrophysiologist). I still refused meds and suggested I wait until I saw what the 3 months of monitoring saw. It showed no further signs of AFib and that it was doing what it was supposed to do...raise my heart rate from 40 to normal.

Trust wat you know about your own body

[Beffohol]

It is VERY normal. It takes your mind a good while to get round the idea of this extra bit of machinery in your body and every twinge or tickle makes you anticipate what might happen next. Let me reassure you though, if you can learn to calm your worries, it really does settle down and you think less and less of the doom and gloom and more and more of the positive advantages. Six years down the line and I sometimes forget I even have mine 😆

[Larivee]

I’m on my second pacemaker. I think it is important to listen to your body. Pacemakers can have issues. If you have dizziness or nausea, it can be a pacemaker setting. Don’t be afraid to contact your pacemaker doctor. Pacemakers are life savers but be your own advocate.

[samui4611]

Had a replacement pacemaker ,some months ago, had no ill effects what so ever'

had the previous one some ten years, all OK and Im 94.so carry on as normal,

things will settle down eventually.

a

[GinGal]

Hi From Melbourne Oz.. I'm 68 and had a pacemaker fitted on 27/11/24 and I also feel a tad low since the procedure. Having said that, I've never felt the same since a heart attack in Mar 2024 either. The heart is such a precious and important organ that when it's upset, we feel that upset by way of doom 'n' gloom. Well, that's my way of looking at it anyhow.

[Whiteghost]

Hi 4years ago I suffered a HA, and I still get moments of a sudden feeling of doom. I mentioned this to my GP, she said its very natural to have these feelings. You don't expect certain things to happen to you and anything especially heart related is scary. Her advice was do anything to take your mind off it. So try not to worry it's normal, take your time, and be positive. Happy New Year🤗

[Natali999]

A pacemaker is something new for you to get used to. It is o.k to feel different emotions about it.

You will recieve support from you cardiology team, so you are nit alone in this. Ask your team questions and share any corners you have. There are usually booklets about pacemakers you can find within the hospital setting or BHF.

And you will meet other patients too that have had similar procedures.

It just takes time.

Wishing you the best.

[Kendalghost]

I had my pacemaker fitted at the end of June and then major surgery in August and am now pedaling on the exercise bike and walking the dog so that is over an hour more like 1.5 hours of exercise every day. You will feel better and then get on with things so I suggest that you look forward to being able to do more. I forget at times that I have a pacemaker except the scar still rubs a bit.

[Oldsurfdog]

my wife had one fitted 3 years (god bless the NHS) ago and she still still has difficulty coming to terms either the fantastic machine that saved her life. However it took a few long months for her to trust it. It’s a fantastic thing but there is no physiological NHS support but this group has been a godsend. Easy for me to say but give it time and eventually you learn to live with it but you will never forget it’s there so don’t try. Relax, breathe and start to enjoy life. Good luck.