Pacemaker update

I was sure there was nothing wrong. All my life, whenever I went to a doctor with a complaint there was nothing wrong. I fully expected my buzzing to be in the same category. So, I was shocked when they called me Monday morning and told me they weren't certain but it looked like something was wrong with the pacemaker and I should come to the office this morning. I spent a very uncomfortable two days; being more open to suggestion than I care to admit. I was very tired and couldn't bring myself to walk more than about a mile and a half each day. I blamed it on the dog, who spent another weekend with me and kept me up half the night on Sunday, but I wasn't sure. And I was worried that if it was the pacemaker, I might have to have surgery to replace it.

The pacemaker technician comes with a machine that reads signals from the pacemaker. It's quite amazing; she knows when I've had trouble down to date and time. The pacemaker was good; it was doing its job. My heart was not behaving properly: too many incidents of fast heartbeat. Some of my medications will be changed, or increased. I have to go back for an echo cardiogram, but evidently that's not urgent. They wanted me to come for it on Monday, but agreed to put it off until I return from New York.

I'm finding it very hard to believe I really have heart disease. When I first got the pacemaker the doctor said I could easily live another twenty years and the pacemaker should not make any difference in my life. I chose to believe that, but I'm beginning to wonder.

Comments

[Stacie]

I feel certain all is fine...probably just need to adjust meds....you know, you have been exercising a lot...that is probably good, as it means your heart is stronger and the meds are most likely too much...just my 2 cents....i just put an ad on Craigslist looking for a rental for May/June in Pittsburgh....keep your fingers crossed we can find a good match!

[Mage Bailey]

I'm so glad you went. Next time it buzzes, please call the doctor. Yes, I am blindly ignoring stage my pulmonary artery disease. Now that I've begun puffing up stairs, I try to climb more stairs instead of being so afraid. I'm trying very hard not to live at the doctor's offices this year.

I understand just how you feel. Glad the fix is so simple.

[Alice]

I like Stacie's read on the problem. Hope that's all it is, but don't assume anything where the heart's concerned. I was nagging sick (that means not in bed but not well either) from mid-Febrary until about two weeks ago. Came to find out my hemoglobin was low. After Remicade and getting over the viral and bacterial problems, I bounced back quickly. I knew I was feeling lazy but assumed it was just me. The lesson? You just never know. When in doubt, check it out.