Does anyone here have a pacemaker?

[murielm99]

I am not asking for medical advice. I will listen to my doc. I am just wondering how the surgery was and if it provided the necessary relief for your condition.

[luv2fly]

1. I don't but my older brother does

He's had it for a few years now and it greatly alleviated the conditions he was facing. He and his doctor both monitor it via an app on their phones and when there is any abnormality his doctor is usually on top of it before my brother can even contact the doctor.

[Haggard Celine]

2. I've had one for about 6 years.

I was having these spells where everything would be fine and then I would faint and fall. I was in the hospital and I coded. They decided I needed a pacemaker, so I said okay.

The surgery was rough. They couldn't totally put me out and it was painful. I never had any more of those fainting spells, though. I just have to get it checked once a year. I have a monitor in my bedroom that checks on the pacemaker while I'm sleeping. I totally forget all about it. I guess it's a success story.

[flor-de-jasmim]

3. The surgery was easy to handle.

I am a U,S expat in Denmark. The incident that led to my getting a pacemaker occurred in the States (in 2010), so my operation was carried out there, I left the hospital with two pages of instructions, mostly on what not to do, which I later showed to my Danish doctor. From the list, she said the most important restriction was not to carry much weight in the first month or two, but I should LIVE MY LIFE. Now, I would not go bungee jumping or engage in activities involving large magnets, but otherwise I have lived my life normally.

This advice may or may not be applicable to you, but I asked how the instructions could be so different. Her answer: because American doctors are afraid of getting sued.

Since the operation was so long ago, my memory of post-op is a bit unclear, but my recollection is that compared to other surgeries I have had, this was very. easy. By the way, as I am left-handed, I asked them to place the pacemaker on my right side, since I generally have a heavy bag or backpack hanging on my left shoulder.

Best of luck!

[multigraincracker]

4. I have one and the surgery was

pretty easy. At least for me. I guess I’m back to normal but don’t feel much different. Less tired. My pulse doesn’t drop below 60 now.
I have learned to avoid some electronic currents like airport security, they let me pass thru without going thru the scanner. I avoid being near magnets. Other than that not much change. Been about 3 years so far. Take my meds and get it checked every 6 months.