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a new pacemaker

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Posted 9/29/2006 3:27 PM (GMT -6)
Hi.  I am not sure if anyone can help.  I am English but I am living in Portugal and don't have very good language skills.  I had some strange symptoms and my neighbour who is a sergeon, told me to go to the emergency doctor.  My resting pulse was at 42 (I am a big guy, 6'4'' and fat!!).  I was dizzy and had like pressure building up in my neck and ears.  I was put onto an ECT and it was 'abnormal'.  I got a first degree AV blookage (I think) but I cannot make any sense of what they are saying to me.  But I have picked up that they are going to strap me up to a 24hour monitor on Monday.  They are also talking about pacemakers.  How do these things work?  Are there other alternatives like drugs, that will avoid cutting me open?  How long do they last.  Will the blockage ever just 'go away'.  Can I play tennis with a pacemaker fitted?  What about sex?  Can I fly with one?

I know that this is a lot of questions but I really don't have a clue what the hell is going on with my health.  A nurse told me to 'drink and smoke' in the short term to bring my pulse rate up.  that seems to be working!!!

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to write and educate me.

Posted 9/29/2006 3:55 PM (GMT -6)

Hi monchiqueman, Welcome to healing well forum we are happy to have you.  I can tell you are scared and worried about what is going on.  I have some experiance with this as I am 33 yrs old and got a pacemaker last September for Bradycardia (low heart rate).  Mine was in the 20's and showed no signs of coming up on its own after 2 weeks in the hospital.  I also have an autonomic disorder that causes low blood pressure and a septial defect in my heart (hole) & Multiple Sclerosis which I have had for 5 years prior.  As far as I know there isnt any alternative medications to help keep your heart rate up.  I was terrified of getting the pacemaker and even demanded to see one before the surgery which they were totally nice about.  My scar is about 3 inchs long and had I not had so many problems with passing out from low blood pressure and pulling out the pacer leads and having to have a lead revision done 2 times you most likely wouldnt be able to see it now.  You have to be very careful with the arm on which ever side they place it for many weeks like not lifting anything or putting your arm above your shoulder as this can pull out the leads.  You can play tennis or do anyother exercise and even have sex with a pacemaker after your done healing.   To tell you the truth I really dont even notice mine anymore.

As for a nurse telling you to drink and smoke to bring up your heart rate...well, it may be working for the short term but it has lasting effects.  Especially smoking, so I am very surprised that she would give you that advice.  

If you do have any more questions I will be more than happy to try to answer them in any way I can....Please let us know how you do and go along....take care 

Posted 9/30/2006 3:29 AM (GMT -6)

Thank you very much for the reply.  It answered a lot of questions I had going around in my mind.  Although, I must admit, I am disapointed by the fact that there are no drugs I can use as an alternative.  I guess I am just one of those guys who is used to popping a pill to sort out any problems!!  I thought that I would be incapacitated for a while but was also a little suprised that I could do no lifting etc until the healing process had run its course.  I hope they get it done soon then as I live on a farm and my partner is going back to the UK for three months on 1st Jan.

Thanks again

Posted 9/30/2006 7:33 AM (GMT -6)
Your very welcome.  If I remember correctly it was somewhere along 6 weeks of no lifting above 5 pounds and not lifting my arm above my shoulder.  They placed mine on the right side of my chest which I believe they usually place them on the left.  But I sometimes have to use a cane for walking with my MS and didnt want any pressure put on the left hand should they place it on the left side.  I think you will find that you will feel much better after you get it, I did as far as that sick faint feeling when HR is low...and also my color went from slate grey back to normal again.  Good luck... :-)
Posted 6/29/2007 1:36 PM (GMT -6)
I'm new to this forum and in looking around came across this post.

I have had a pacemaker for 39 years (am now 62 yrs old). I had 2 successful pregnancys/2 children after it was implanted, both are now grown with children of their own. I have lived a perfectly normal life, can excercise, have sex, fly on planes, you name it, it can be done with an implanted pacemaker. You cannnot however have an MRI, and as far as I know that's all you can't do.

 

Posted 6/30/2007 2:24 PM (GMT -6)

Thank you for posting on this topic carokaye.  It is good to hear from those who have had this implant for years and know they have done well with it. :-)

I have MS also and havent had any MRI's since my pacer implant.  My cardiologist was saying at my last appointment that there is a pacemaker now that can go through MRI's without any problems.  However, it will be a yr or two before it is approved for use since they are still doing studies on it.  It is amazing what science comes up with...

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