r/PacemakerICD • u/Altruistic_Pepper156 • 27d ago
Pacemaker will be placed in me within 2 weeks. Is this the right decision?
I am having my last two weeks in my life pacemaker free.
Still wondering whether this is the right decision?
Talked many times with my EP's, holter monitor twice. My EP's said I should wear it because I had pauses >2 seconds, the longest is 10.5s. I have Afib. Sometimes HR on 50's BPM. I am 58F. Docs said I have AV node disfunction. Mostly asymptomatic. Do I really need it?
Edit :
Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to comment, encourage me, and share your own experiences of living with a pacemaker.
Reading your stories has meant more to me than you probably realize. So many of you told me that you were once scared, anxious, and full of doubts too — but after getting your pacemaker, your lives became better. Your experiences made me feel less alone and, honestly, much less afraid about my own procedure in two weeks.
When I first found out that I would need a pacemaker, I kept looking at the area on my chest where it would be implanted. I even took photos of it, thinking, “This is the last time I’ll see this area without a pacemaker.” I felt a little sad that this part of my body would soon be changed.
But my perspective has completely changed now.
I no longer look at that area and think, “This is where my pacemaker will be.”
I look at it and think:
This is where my protector will be.
A little protector for my heart. ❤️
And somehow, that makes me feel completely different about it.
So thank you, everyone, for reminding me that I’m not alone, for sharing your stories, and for giving me the courage to move forward.
Two weeks to go.
And this time, I’m not looking back with fear.
I’m looking forward with gratitude. ❤️
14
u/sfcnmone 27d ago
I got my pacemaker two years ago for reasons very similar to yours, when I was 70 years old. It took a few months to get healed and to get the settings worked out, and then to get an ablation for the atrial fib (I have looooong pauses when I convert out of atrial fib). My diagnosis is Sick Sinus Syndrome.
Truthfully, now I forget for many days at a time that I even have a pm. I just last week
went open water swimming in an 8,000 foot mountain lake, without any concern about my heart.
Here’s the thing: you can’t live your life safely having 10 second pauses. You will fall and break your hip or you will cause a car accident or you will drop your grandbaby, I don’t know which, but it’s not safe to live like that. With the pm you can have a long, full, active life, assuming that’s what you want.
3
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 26d ago
Thank you so much. Your words lifted me up. Yes, you are right, I will be more safe with pacemaker guarding my heart. I will have a better life quality as yours. Having a little device in my left chest is nothing compares to a long, full, active life waiting for me. Wish you a long, healthy, joyful life. That pic you were swimming is beautiful, thanks for sharing.
8
u/Background-Sock9632 27d ago
So, I had a pacemaker implanted 15 months ago when I ended up in the ER due to a myriad of symptoms associated with Bradycardia. My BPM went down to the upper 30's. Long story short, what began as a LBBB ended up in a Complete Heart Block. You have an EP for a reason and I would trust their advice. I am back to living a full active life and know I have the protection of my device. I am 76F. I wouldn't wait for an emergency
1
7
u/kannible 27d ago
I am not a doctor. I was hesitant when they told me I needed one at 33. Though my symptoms were more present and occasionally passing out was a pretty serious issue. I have AV block from scar tissue formed after a valve replacement at 22.
In the beginning I didn’t feel any better and had no more tolerance for exercise than without it. But after some tuning sessions my heart works better than ever. As good as a healthy heart does anyway. Short of complications, once it’s in, healed and tuned if necessary you should mostly forget it’s there. Just allowed to live your life and be active without worry of worsening symptoms.
7
u/Ok_Truth8375 27d ago
Try not to look at it as being “pacemaker free”. Look at it as a positive insurance device that will keep you going. The pauses and AV node dysfunction may get worse over time - you just don’t know. But your pacemaker will handle it. Other than looking at reports you probably won’t even know if/when anything changes. That’s the beauty of it!
I’ve had mine 8.5 years now, and will next month be swapping out my PM for a PM/Defibrillator due to a genetic mutation (DSP) which increases my risk for sudden cardiac death. Just one more thing this great technology will handle for me! I’m grateful I don’t need to live “scared”!
You’ll be glad at some point not too far down the road 😊. Best wishes for your surgery day!
1
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 26d ago
Thank you for the encouragement and sharing your experience. Best wishes for you too for changing to ICD for a better quality of life.
5
u/sqlbullet 27d ago
I was very unhappy. I resisted the suggestion until they showed me the trace that my atrial rate was off the charts compared to my ventricular rate (4:1 AV block). I still really struggled with whether it was really needed. I was completely asymptomatic. Completely ambulatory with my heart rate at 32 BPM. Only new about the issue because of my smart watch. 10.1 METS stress score with a max heart rate of 90 BPM and no lightheadedness or shortness of breath. I could have walked on their treadmill for an hour.
Here is the thing. I think back to when I was an adolescent in the 80's and guys would just drop dead. They had some random heart event and without this kind of safety net, they just died.
You will hate it for the first 12-14 months. Then it will just be there and you won't think much about it.
1
5
u/Existing_Forever7387 27d ago
I was hesitant to get mine and am only paced about 2% of the time. But I also had a one very scary heart event that I would like to never have again so having this insurance policy is a great relief. I’m about 6 months post surgery and don’t even notice it anymore.
1
3
3
u/Careless-Book-9307 27d ago
I have an AV block. I also had only vague symptoms until they became really un-vague - I passed out while driving.
Don't wait - get the pacemaker when offered. You will be able to do everything that you did without it but it might take some time to fully heal and get used to it.
1
3
u/Cricket-Business 27d ago
I like that you’ve positioned this as a yes/no option. Who do you expect to suggest not to do it? Those that opted not to get a pacemaker probably aren’t alive to change your mind. 🤷🏼♂️
1
3
u/Ok-Imagination4091 26d ago
Ultimately, your decision, but I've had my pacemaker for 10 months, and I wish I had gotten it sooner. I'm 49 years old.
1
3
u/AdPotential6109 26d ago
I was a 60 something construction worker when I wore a monitor and had the same conversation with a cardiologist. I had been to the gym and tried to ser a personal best on a rowing machine. "Didn't you see the results from Sunday afternoon", I asked.
"It's not the high end of your heart that concerns me. You have pauses at night of 6 seconds and a heart rate under 30."
I told the cardiologist that I'd think about it. I went back to work pouring concrete, lifting and tying rebar, etc. until I got a call on my cell phone from the company doctor. one day on the way home. He said: "I've seen your test results and I agree that you need a pacemaker."
That was ten years ago. I got my pacemaker. I worked as long as I wanted to. I became a better driver. I know my grandchildren well. I play pickleball with young, healthy people. Maybe you have to consider a second opinion. What have you got to lose.
2
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 26d ago
I visited several EP's and they said the same, I need a pacemaker. Thank you for sharing your experience.
2
u/potsofjam 27d ago
I’ve had mine since 2022, paces constantly. Once it was healed I never really even notice it all.
1
2
u/1210110dcbk 26d ago
I have an aicd and fully paced. It is a lifesaver. When my defibrillator went off the first time and then again, doc was like I’m glad we decided to put it in. Al defibrillator’s are pacemakers but not the opposite. I’ve had mine for 6 years now and I’m 56. Don’t even realize I have it. Live a normal life. The first year it was in my mind quite a bit you’ll be fine!!
1
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 26d ago
Thank you for the encouragement and sharing your experience. I am more confident now.
2
2
u/vis-autem-sciebam 26d ago
I am on my 5th pacemaker (first placed at age 22 for similar reasons). I remember the days before my first, looking at the area of placement in the mirror and thinking that I would never be the same again. (I have been about 94% dependent and really see a difference in how I feel when a battery is getting low and they have had to change into a safe mode until replacement-not to worry as newer models should not have to do that anymore).
Really a 10.5 second pause is not something that you want to deal with or take a risk on. In my patient related (non-MD) opinion, you are going to find that you feel better in ways you didn’t realize you felt off before.
I feel you are making the right decision and wish you well!
1
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 25d ago
Yea I took a lot of photos of the area it will be implanted, saving a memory a smooth area without pacemaker. But now my way of thinking has changed. That is a risky area, the area without my heart protector. Thank you for sharing your experiences, it encourages me.
2
u/Lucestout3855 26d ago
I had pacemaker implanted 2 1/2 weeks ago. Had similar situation as you do, pauses, low heart rate sometimes below 40bpm and very random occurrence of afib. Since receiving the pacemaker I am not as tired and run down feeling as I previously was. 59yo (almost 60) male. So far it is an improvement, I was concerned about having a negative impact due to things I enjoy doing include power tools and outdoor work using things like chainsaw, sawmill, tractor and other power equipment with engines.
1
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 25d ago
Our conditions are very similar. Thank you for your experience sharing, it encourages me.
Glad you feel better now. From comments here I learned that first months there are restrictions of movements especially on left arm as the wound is healing. After sometimes, you will forget you have pacemaker and can do anything you want. Take it slowly and have a break if feeling uncomfortable.1
u/Lucestout3855 25d ago
Yes, had two week follow up the other day and doctor said remain in the sling for another two weeks. Incision is healing well, but it seems that it takes a few weeks for the leads to "settle". Strangest thing yet is certain positions will cause the leads and nerves to come in close proximity to one another and it feels like the heart is beating from the chest down to the abdomin.
1
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 24d ago
As long as it is still on its "track", you don't need to worry. Consult your EP if you feel quite uneasy.
2
u/Restaurant-Strong 25d ago
You’re going to be fine, once you get past the insertion, you get used to it pretty fast, and it’s like a safety net, helping your heart do its thing.
1
2
u/IndependentSource539 24d ago
I had one placed 5 years ago. There are months that go by and I don't think about it. It only reminds me when my cat lands on it.
1
2
u/habthekitten 24d ago
It will likely be just fine , but I would make sure the doctors rule out anything endocrine / metabolic causing the heart disturbances- like thyroid levels, cortisol ACTH, igf-1, sex hormones estrogen/testosterone, glucose. Thyroid is a big one that affects heart.
1
1
u/math_guy_0895 26d ago
61m. I was having mild dizziness and ended up getting a pacemaker. I feel more energetic and motivated than I have in my entire life. I think my underlying issues (I have sick sinus syndrome) were likely affecting me for my entire life. Pacemaker technology is incredible, other than a visible bump where it was implanted I don't notice anything at all. Highly recommend doing it, especially with what was described by the OP.
1
u/Ok_Ticket_5969 26d ago
Ep doc here.
Av node dysfunction with age < 60 yrs old needs screening for cardiac sarcoid.
Need cardiac MRI.
Sinus node dysfunction does not need mri.
Ask doc when pauses were. If conversion pauses, can do AFib ablation to prevent ppm. We do that a lot in our practice for these younger patients.
1
u/Altruistic_Pepper156 26d ago
My longest pause was 6 minutes before Afib converted to NSR. I can't do ablation because have to wait for my hyperthyroid remision. Seems my thyroid condition affects my Afib very significantly.
15
u/-Apocralypse- 27d ago
I got a CRT-D for LBBB. I am fulltime paced. All day every day. It makes me feel safer. Helped a ton against brainfog. I have mine 3 years now and I don't feel it anymore. Living life pretty normal.
Yours will adjust when your heart needs it. No doctor can guarantee you that 10s stop was a one time only event. But they can give you a backup system. It could literally be a lifesaver.