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New Here, had ablation and pacemaker (scared now)

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Posted 2/4/2006 7:12 AM (GMT -6)
Hi all, I am a 47 year old female that has been in pretty good health until about 6 months ago when I went to my pcp with severe shortness of breath.  He did an ekg and said I had atrial fibulation as well as high blood pressure and a slow heart rate.  He put me on diovan for the blood pressure and blood thinner for the a fib then referred me to an EP doctor after doing an echocardiagram and a nuclear stress test which both of those came out okay.  The EP doctor told me that I had atrial flutter instead of afib and felt confident that he could fix it by ablation.  I went to the hospital 1-09-06 for this and he felt like it was a success but immediately after this procedure he told me that I really should have a pacemaker because of my slow heart rate.  I agreed to have this done as well and had it put in the next day.   Well, since then I have had good days and bad days.  I was off work for 2 weeks and have been back at work now for 2 weeks.  I am starting to have my shortness of breath again especially in the late afternoon and early evening.  I worry if what I had done was a success or perhaps I am expecting too much too soon.  Needless to say I am frustrated and also scared for what my future holds.  I would appreciate any comments and/or encouragement from fellow members regarding ablations and what to expect as far as recovery goes. 
Posted 2/12/2006 4:12 AM (GMT -6)

Hi winterdaze,  Welcome to Healing Well forum.  We are glad to have ya.  I am sorry that you have gone through so much. 

I can kinda of relate to you on the shortness of breath and pacemaker.  I am 32 yrs old and had slow heart rate with extremely low blood pressure.  In september I got my pacemaker and have still had bouts of SOB.

I would suggest making an appt with your cardiologist and letting them know.  I had my pacer intergated 2 months after placement. Do you have an appointment to have this done?  It just maybe that they need to adjust some of the settings (it may be paced to high for you).  It took them about 3 times of adjusting to get it where I dont feel like I am going to fall on the floor within the first 2 minutes of standing, lol.

Please keep us posted of how you are doing.

Posted 2/13/2006 11:05 AM (GMT -6)

Thanks for responding Elisha.  They made me an appt. for 2months out at the hospital, however I have already been in for 2 adjustments thus far.  I still have the shortness of breath, some days more so than others.  I guess it just takes some time for everything to get adjusted.  You said that you had your pacemaker put in Sept.  Are you still having problems or are you feeling well by now? 

I always thought pacemakers were for people alot older than we are but finding out that is not so true anymore.  I have to admit that I felt there may be a stigma regarding this.  Have you had any problems in letting people you know like friends and coworkers that you had this done? 

Thanks again for writing, nice to know there are others out there like me going through the same thing. 

Posted 2/14/2006 10:04 AM (GMT -6)
Yes, it was kind of hard to let everyone know of the pacemaker.  It was kinda creepy at first to get adjusted to it and even still as it sticks out and you can see it in my chest.  I had to have a lead revision done in October due to my passing out I had pulled out both of the leads of the pacemaker to my heart and that was very painful, as I was awake for that procedure.  I still get winded easily and shaky and have to sit down often when in stores.  At my cardiologists office the EP guy said that I was one of their youngest patients with a pacemaker.  But my mom who is a cardiac nurse said she has had patients who are babies with pacemakers.  It is really surprising to me.  I have a parkinson's type disease called Multiple System Atrophy that was just diagnosed and Multiple Sclerosis since 2001.  The MSA is what causes the passing out and bradycardia.  It is pretty scary.  We are here for you if you have any questions of need to talk..
Posted 2/14/2006 2:20 PM (GMT -6)
Wow, you have certainly been thru alot yourself Elisha. Nice to know I'm not alone in this struggle. I have only had my pacemaker for one month now and only family members know about for now. I probaly carry a few more pounds than you do so it is not evident through my clothes. It really seems to be starting to settle into my chest well, so I am pleased about that. My EP doctor was the one that did it and it appears that he did a pretty good job. Will keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the reply. Please write back for any further tips.
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