pacemaker quality of life

The family has decided no replacement because of the strokes and quality of life, sooo how long will a new baterry since May keep a seemingly inactive heart going?

I don't know what others experience but during an A Fib event, my quality of life deteriorates completely. I did read that large doses of Vitamin D can cause arrhythmia so I stopped taking Vitamin D and the events have decreased dramatically in frequency from about 2/week to 1/month and intensity and duration. I was diagnosed with A Fib about 1 year ago but have been having what I thought was tachycardia for years but maybe only 2 times/year.

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this forum (actually, any forum), and I was hoping to get some input from anyone who has suffered from complications post decompression surgery. It all began 2 years ago, when I hit a tree skiing. I suffered a severe concussion, but bounced back pretty quickly from the accident. A few months later, I began having neurological issues that were pretty serious, and after going from one doctor to another, I was diagnosed with Chiari.

I have to say I can sympathize with you as I am experiencing less than great quality of life after only one round of triple tx that was unsuccessful. I'm contemplating doing battle again but not with interferon. The fact that you completed three rounds in five years is a testament to your strength and determination. Sometimes I feel really P.O.'d about everything I have put my mind and body through only to be told I may be suffering from depression?!

I had difficulty answering this, as my migraines are getting progressively worse. However, I chose "Not able to work...." as that's the best my migraines get. I then get worse from there.

When she recently had her pacemaker checked the physician told her that she now has only 2 1/2 years of battery life left. Unfortunately, the reason for a loss of battery life was not given even after the question was presented. Can you help us understand what has happend.

I was just diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome as well. I was also suffering from major symptoms including thousands of pvc's a day. The doctor wants to put in a pacemaker when I go back in December for the low heart rate but he prescribed Flecainide for my symptoms and it is really working great so far. It controls the pvc's and also keeps my heart from going really low or really high and from any of the other arrythmias I was having.

Hi, A biventricular pacemaker is special kind of pacemaker designed to treat the delay in heart ventricle contractions. It keeps the right and left ventricles pumping together by sending small electrical impulses through the leads. This has been shown to improve the symptoms of heart failure and the person's overall quality of life. Traditional pacemakers are used to treat slow heart rhythms.

I realize that you have a lot of history with your mother and her pacemaker, but modern pacemakers don't just "die". When the battery voltage drops to a certain level. The pacemaker will go into an "end of life mode" (battery, not person). It's sort of a last ditch conservation mode until the battery can be replaced. What happens then is the pacemaker will fire to a preset pulse rate. It will no longer take into account what the user's heart is doing.

Also, I have a call out to her Hospice doctor. She really has little quality of life and it will not get better. All she can do is eat (most times) and it is very difficult to transfer her from chair to recliner to bed, etc. It is sad to see what happens to people, especially in Florida, as there are so many. Again, I appreciate your input to help me move forward. I will keep you posted and maybe this might help others.

Once you stop looking for a diagnosis and embrace management, I am not one for putting on a brave face and fighting to keep life the way it was before pain hit. You can have more control over your life, arranging it to encompass your limits, once you start building your own management plan...and I caution against letting a doctor do it for you, or try to push you to do more than you absolutely WANT to do.

What are a professional's thoughts on someone in pain with zero quality of life? Is there any advice that I may not have heard that may ease my mind? I have had chronic nerve pain for over 5 years. It affects a very sensitive area of my body which seems to make the pain worse. The pain is vice-like, although I do have shooting pains when I "exercise". The pain seems to make me feel queasy, but I have digestive issues so this may be in my mind. I am 23 years old.

metoprolol may not correct SOB! The pacemaker has corrected bradycardia!? The pacemaker will override any disruptions of the normal electrical impulses controlling the rate of your heart's pumping action. SOB is almost always a serious symptom...it was the only symptom for the admitting personal to put me in an emergency status, but I had other symptoms, dry cough, hyperventilating when laying down, etc . She said that is all that is needed is SOB.

In my own case and of course every patient is different , I do not need a heart/lung transplant anymore and I got back my quality of life I am forever grateful to my wonderful cardiologist who saved my life and gave me back quality of life.I am so glad I got this done which is a mayor difference to having a heart/lung transplant I am a new person.

t recall anyone who said they had problems other that a sore spot on the chest, but almost all people with pacemaker insertions report greater energy and a better quality of life. I also have a pacemaker, and am feeling great. I would proceed with great confidence and pass that on to your Grandmother. She will sail through this and feel much better, and she will undoubtedly get through the procedure better with your support.

The electrophysiologist deactivated the atrial lead explaining that it targeted Atrial Fib and was primarily for quality of life, whereas the ventricle lead targeted bradycardia and pauses. He recommended that my husband have the atrial lead repositioned. He indicated that the surgeon would determine during the procedure whether to use an unfixed lead (as was used the first time) or whether to try a fixed lead, and that there is a chance the lead will dislodge again.

ve had a pacemaker for 1,5 years, and my life is much fuller because of it. Today I worked out on an elliptical machine for 45 minutes and watched my heartrate bounce around as the pacer started anticipating my activity, and it settled in at a perfect rate. I had a great workout. Having the pacer inserted improved my quality of life tremendously, and I'm betting if you give your pacer a chance, you will find the same thing.

t personally have one but I know putting in a pacemaker is nothing to be taken lightly but it sounds like your quality of life is affected so I can see it helping. Best of luck and keep us posted how it went.

If you do end up with one, it sounds like in your case, it could vastly improve your quality of life because it would most likely prevent you from fainting. Good luck and try to relax and give the meds a chance to work! I don't know if you are on beta blockers, but they can take a while to work effectively.

My Heart Doctor suggested I have a pacemaker. I opted to NOT have this done becuase of my age and I am 5' & 106 lbs (small frame not much room for the pacemaker). I have been told by others that they had problems with the pacemaker and wish they had not done this. I had a blood test done recently and my kidney's were fine and I don't have trouble breathing or fluid. I don't want to go through the surgery of the pacemaker.

I am hoping I can receive some positive reassurances that this is the right thing for him to do to improve his quality of life. My dad is stubborn and thinks he does not have too long to live so why bother with the procedure.

Likely a pacemaker would be a fairly simple procedure with minimal risks. At age 93 the main goal of therapy should always be to improve the quality of life with as minimal risk as possible. Talk to your mother and see if she can help with this difficult problem.

The electrophysiologist explained that the atrial lead targeted Atrial Fib and was primarily for quality of life, whereas the ventricle lead was targeting bradycardia and pauses. He recommended that my husband have a second surgery to have the lead repositioned. My husband is reluctant to have another surgery when it is only for quality of life and is wondering whether it is worth it, or if he can leave opt not to have surgery and leave the atrial lead deactivated.

Pacemaker quality of life

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