Newbie

On dec 7, 2006 I went to the hospital for foot surgery and got out last week with a defibullator/pacemaker. It appears that my heart has probably been attacked by a virus and I have a less than 30% ejection rate which from what I can understand is the about of blood from that the heart can push out. The rest of the muscle is shot right now. They also found a tear in one of my values. I have very low blood presure with a very fast heart rate. While just lying in bed my heart rate was at 140.
So now I have a device whic is still hurting me, I'm on a ton of meds and I still can't breath. My lungs have been checked out and they are fine it is the heart. I think the were hoping this devise would then allow me to take some of these meds to strengthen the heart muscles without dropping my pressure any more.
If anyone can relate to this or can tell me the pain /shocks (or what I think are shocks) will go away?
The device was implanted last Monday and tomorrow is 1 week that I am home. I am 53 and can't believe this.

Hi Yorkiemom3, welcome to healing well forum, we are happy to have you join us here.  I am so sorry for all you have gone though...it sounds like it was quite a shock for you to find out about these problems.

I have a pacemaker (not a defibulator) due to bradycardia.  My heart rate was in the 20's before it was implanted.  I also have extremely low blood pressures and have to take medications for this (florinef & proamatine).  It is odd because I have an autonomic disorder and when I am sitting or standing my blood pressure is low but when I lay down it levels off to a normal BP.  I am also on a ton of medications which I still havent gotten used to taking after all this time.  I too have a difficult time breathing...it feels like someone is sitting on my chest all the time and also squezing my throat.  My cardiologist has said this is due to my blood pressure.  Do you notice it is easier to breath when your laying flat?

As for your shocks...I dont know?  I would say that since you do have a defibulator it is shocking your heart back into a normal rythem and I have heard from people that have these defibulators that they are most uncomfortable and painful at times.  My cardiologist has said that I need to have one but I have had my pacemaker for a yr and half and already had 2 lead revisions done...so I am not too eager to have another surgery on that area just yet.

I hope another member will post regarding their experiance with defibulators so you can get some ideas of what to expect.  Please do feel free to continue to post as often as you like this site is a wonderful place for information and support.  Take care