I'd appreciate any information I can get on pacemakers, the plus and minuses.

[Frustratedlady]

I am probably going to go the pacemaker route in the next week or two, but am hesitant. I could use some personal stories of experiences with pacemakers, exposure to cell phones, remote controls, microwaves, etc. I thought a lot of that conflict would have been taken care of by now, but I see plenty of admonishments about being around or too close to them in various articles on the Net.

I also read that there are now some pacemakers without leads/wires. Anyone have experience with those?

I have to make a decision this weekend, so I would appreciate any comments about life before/after pacemaker placement.

[True Blue American]

1. Personally I had a family member and good friend who have them.

They regulate your heart beat and keep it steady. One lived many good years, died elderly. The other had cancer surgery. The medication damaged her heart. She is doing just find.

Miracles are being performed in medicine and surgery today. You will be fine.

[Frustratedlady]

4. Thanks for your input. "...lived many good years" makes me feel better.

[Crazyleftie]

2. I have had a pacemaker/defibrillator since 2014

There are no problems with microwaves or other electrical devices. The batteries do last a long time as well and they are tested every 6 months. Mine will last a minimum of another 5 years, although the expected life was shorter probably because it was not needed as much or at all (my opinion, not a medical one, as I have never felt it go off). After a while you do not notice it is there.
It is a boston scientific/medtronic, supposedly the best available.

Good luck with it. It is a relatively simple operation

[Frustratedlady]

3. Well, I looked at the "wiring" and didn't think "relatively simple" even though that was the dr's...

comment. lol

You have both? All in one? It was my understanding that it was one or the other, but my first reaction was why aren't they combined if they do different things.

Whether you feel them working was another question I forgot to add.

I'm just having problems getting a positive slant on having the surgery. I know great strides have been made in medicine, but I'm not too enthused about being the exception...if you get what I mean.

Thanks for your reply.

[True Blue American]

16. As I understand the new is the combined.

But there are changes every day.

[femmedem]

5. One kept my father alive for years after he had cardiac arrest.

They were mostly good years, too, until the last few months when he became ill with something unrelated.

One thing to ask family members to do for you: if you should become terminally ill and are in hospice care, make sure it is deactivated so that it won't go off when you are dying, making your last moments painful. Fortunately, we thought of this with my father.

[Frustratedlady]

6. Is that done externally or surgically?

Were you referring to only a defibrillator or both?

[femmedem]

13. It was done externally.

I know it was a defibrillator but I believe it was both. If you're only getting a pacemaker and don't need a defib too, I don't think it's an issue.

[multigraincracker]

7. Very happy with mine.

Got a year and a half ago and no problems. Keeping my pulse at 60 bpm. Kind of felt like coming out of a fog, getting blood to my brain. I didn’t have AFib, only a slow heartbeat. I was out out jogging 2 days after I got it.
Good luck.

[Frustratedlady]

8. Really? That's a positive thought toward my decision.

I assume you are much younger than me (octogenarian). I'm sure my brain would appreciate a better supply of blood.

My argument with the dr. is I don't have a-fib, or at least don't feel it. I think I should, right? I suppose that would depend on when it is read...before or after meds.

Thanks!

[multigraincracker]

9. I'm 72 if that helps.

It runs about 80% of the time and at that rate the charge should last another 15 years.
For a year or 2 my pulse was at 45 to 50 bpm and the doctors didn't think that was a problem. Woke up one morning feeling extra tired and my GF, an RN, took my pulse and said get your coat we are going to the ER. My heart beat was at 28 bpm and and weak. Came home two days later and have been fine ever sense. If you don't have one, get a finger Pulse Oximeter and check it several times a day to see where you are at. They are pretty cheap and easy to use.

[Frustratedlady]

10. I have a pulse oximeter for pulse/oxygen levels. When I got home from having stents,

Last edited Sat Jul 30, 2022, 10:44 AM - Edit history (1)

my daughter became alarmed because my oxygen level dropped from the high 90s to 65...mostly in the 80s...when I was sleeping in a recliner. They did an oxygen level test and finally OK'd an oxygen concentrator. As a result, whenever I lie down, I have to use the oxygen which pushes the level back to 97-98. The pulse runs in the 50-60s, but I don't know if that is due to meds or normal for me. My b/p is also around 123/70 or so.

Crazy how one thing affects the other.

I'd go for 72 again.

[True Blue American]

17. That was the reaction I heard,too.

Good news for you.

[Silver Gaia]

11. Thank you for this thread!

I may be facing a similar decision in the near future. I've had a resting pulse in the low 60s for years, and it wasn't a problem, but that has suddenly changed during a period of great additional stress in my life. In just a few weeks it started dropping into the 50s which was still fairly comfortable, and then the 40s, and then the 30s. The 40s started feeling uncomfortable. The 30s scared me. My doctor added an additional blood pressure drug, which I don't like, but it seems to have helped. My mother had a pacemaker, so I figure I'm probably headed there, too, but I'm terrified of them. Reading this thread has helped a little. So thanks! It's timely for me, too.

[Frustratedlady]

12. I understand where you are standing right now. I'm right beside you.

I have to make a decision by Monday with the procedure scheduled for Thursday. I'm sure this weekend will slip by faster than I want, but I've delayed looking deeply into it long enough. I will call the dr. on Monday and get a few questions answered, then, once the decision is made, I'll be OK. I just have to have a good, internal feeling about things like this before I dive in.

Good luck with your decision. Please let me know how it all works out for you. Maybe we can recuperate together on DU.

[Silver Gaia]

14. Will do ..

[Triloon]

15. I've had mine for over 20 years.

I needed the pacemaker/defib combo device and I'm on the second one now as the first was nearing the end of it's battery life.

I remember clearly how hesitant and anxious I was about receiving the first one and I sympathize with you, but really, there is no downside to it. Whatever you may have read about interference from microwaves or remote controls, its all baloney. These devices are heavily shielded against interference and it takes a tremendously powerful electrical field to penetrate them. You won't be able to get an MRI anymore, and should avoid walking through metal detectors, because you will set them off every time. You may not want to be loafing around one of the generators at Hoover dam, but otherwise, forget about it.

And you will indeed forget about it. Mine initiates 70% of my heartbeats, and while that is kind of a creepy thought it is not something that I can sense. The only effects noticeable to me are a better lived life. Seriously. I can go about my ordinary life without concern about my heart function, I dont have to have any attention stuck on sensations of stray heart flutters, thumps, or the nauseating weakness of heart failure.
There are still heart risks, of course. But those risks are about ordinary heart health, like controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. There are no risks to having the implanted device, it removes risks. It fixes problems without creating new ones.

I encourage you to go ahead, ignore your natural hesitations, and get the procedure. After a few days the incision will heal and you won't have to think about it again.

[True Blue American]

18. From one who knows:)

[Frustratedlady]

21. I have to call the dr. early in the morning because I have another procedure that may

have to be canceled for now. An infusion that I get every couple of months has some steroids added that may get in the way. If so, I'll have to cancel the infusion for now. So frustrating when one fights against the other.

Thank you for all your input. I'm almost to the decision to go ahead.

[Warpy]

19. Micorwaves now are well shielded

so there is no danger there. Cell phones are low power.

Here is a complete list of risks and what to do about them: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention--treatment-of-arrhythmia/devices-that-may-interfere-with-icds-and-pacemakers

[Frustratedlady]

22. WOW! I thought it was just cell phones and microwaves...MRIs, etc.

Makes one feel like surrounding the ol' bod with a protective bubble.

Thanks for the list. I didn't even recognize some of the machines, but I've printed out the list for reference. I don't recall if it was on the list, but I would gladly give up the vacuum cleaner if necessary.

Take care!

[Warpy]

24. You wish

The whole idea is to keep the stuff 6 inches or so away from the device, and you will be able to feel it under your skin so you'll know where it is..

So you're stuck with the vacuum cleaner, just don't turn it on and hug it next to the battery and controller.

Ditto metal detectors and antitheft devices at store entrances.

The magnet we used to turn them off in emergencies was huge and weighed well over a kilogram. I wouldn't try to stick magnets onto it, but the ones on the fridge door aren't a problem if they stay there.

Just know what the risks are and what to do about them. Not stopping in the metal detector at the airport is less inconvenient than falling over when the bottom drops out of your heart rate.

[Frustratedlady]

25. I was joshing about the vacuum cleaner. I convinced everyone several years ago that I

shouldn't push the vac around. I think that was the time I had stents put in and I was warned about it, but never told them it was for a few weeks. Once you get older, you have a weird sense of humor.

How do I know there are metal detectors/anti-theft devices at store entrances?

What about the medical emergency button I wear in the event of an emergency and I need help? Are those OK? I wear the necklace and can contact the EMTs through that.

I'm sure I'll catch on to most of the procedures in time. If not, I'll just stay home.

[Warpy]

26. My mother got a self propelled monstrosity in her 80s

and found it was too big a pain in the ass to get out of its closet.

I've splurged on a Dyson battery powered job. It's light and it works, so no complaints.

[multigraincracker]

20. I would suggest a medical ID to wear

in case you are in an accident. I wear one around my neck and have a card in my wallet. Let your dentist and all of your doctors know.

[Frustratedlady]

23. Good idea. I'll look into it.