Living 4 Years with a Pacemaker

When I was 36 I was told I needed to have a pacemaker implanted, it’s been over 4 years since I had my surgery. In this video I’ll talk about what has changed since I first got it implanted, and how I look at things differently now.

Watch some of my other videos:

[josephsimpson]

My PM was implanted in November of 2024. I'm two months in now and everything is great. The dizziness that was my constant companion is gone and I feel great. I was having two types of heart block and afib. I had a heart attack in 2017 and was in a coma for 7 days. I had to go to rehab for a month to learn how to walk again. I came to grips with my mortality back then and my PM implantation recently was barely a bump in the road. You are absolutely right about learning to live in the moment. I enjoy life now more than ever. It is sad that we don't learn this lesson until something catastrophic happens to us. Live, love, and be here.

[annamariehrivnak]

Thank you for sharing. This helped me out so much. I’m one month out.

[aliciamontalvo]

Hi. Thanks for the updates. You have been an inspiration. I had my implant on May 12, 2023. I commented on my particular situation, three months ago. I went to follow up check ups, and there were some irregularities. I went to see an electrophysiologist, Tuesday, 2024- who rushed me to the hospital. Had surgery five days ago on Thursday the 15. The leads had to be removed and new ones implanted. It has been a setback for me. I feel sad. I’m happy to be alive, nevertheless, it has been quite a journey. Only the good Lord keeps me optimistic, if not for his love, and the prayers, I would be lost. Thank you so much for your sharing. Health to you.

[cindytrinidad]

Thank you very much for sharing your pacemaker journey. I just had a pacemaker last week and I am learning so much from your videos.

[manelalves]

Cheers mate :)

I have had a pacemaker for 2 years, I have just celebrated my 30th birthday recently, and I admit that I also had the same fears you had, probably many more considering that I was a 28 year old.

I believe that nowadays I am more confident to do my daily taskes and I was finally able to go back to the gym for e.g.

Sometimes I have terrible days, im not feeling 100% but I think is part of the " process " lest say, and on those days I think " Ok, im not ok but I have you ( pacemaker ) so do you job and shut up " ahahah

The secret but also the hardest part too, is gaining confidence to do things again that we weren't afraid to do until now with the pacemaker.

Life is to live, and if something gets wrong, do it again and belive in better day.

Big hug and keep strog.

Manuel

A young guy from Portugal living in Poland

[rosejohnson]

Thanks for the update. It's helpful to see someone who has gone through this as my medical team is evaluating me for a pacemaker at age 33.

[lescharles]

Hi, I totally understand your comments, I had a pacemaker fitted in 2014, it was a worrying time, especially as I was having problems walking and climbing stairs, but 12 days after the procedure, I could do both without being breathless, or dizzy., while the procedure is a bit unpleasant, it’s well worth going through a bit of discomfort to get the result I got.
My operation lasted just over four hours, because the surgeon was having problems getting the sinus lead in the right place, ( mine is an rct device).the implant lasted trouble free for 7 years then I had to have it done again because battery needed changing, this operation only lasted about 40 minutes because all the leads were already in place. So hopefully it’s going to be ok for another seven, if your having problems, don’t hesitate have one fitted,

[charleyl]

It's good to hear that you are still doing OK. Sorry to hear about your COVID problems, but glad you survived it. I've lost 3 close friends to COVID so far, and all were healthier than me before they got it.

I promised to reply to every one of your video posts, so here it is -
I have been staying home as much as possible, but both my wife and I have had our Pfizer and booster shots, and no COVID, yet. Our next booster will be due in April and I'll be 80 in April. We are staying away from others as much as possible and wearing masks when we do go out. We also dis-infect our hands, shopping cart handles, door knobs, etc. often.

I have been dealing with heart problems since 2000 when I had triple bypass and a valve repair. Since then, I have collected 7 stents too. My pacemaker is now 3 1/2 years old and still working fine. It doesn't have a defib capability, but does link to a "cell phone like unit" on my night stand that collects my daily data from my pacemaker while I sleep and "phones home" to my doctor's office with the results. I guess, if anything of significance is ever found in this data, that they will contact me. I, kind-of, tested it a year ago when I was very congested, so spent a few nights sleeping upright in a chair in the opposite end of the house. They called me in the afternoon the second day asking if I was OK and then they asked me to check the cell phone unit. I explained what had happened and moved it to be near me. At least I now know that it really does something. It has no buttons, just a small display that says "OK" when it's powered up. I've never seen anything else on the display.

Two years ago I was bent forward and painting some large panels that were laying on saw horses when I realized that my chest was contracting significantly with every heart beat. I stopped and sat down in a chair and this quickly went away. I then contacted my doctor's office and explained what had happened. They had me come in for a check that same day. My heart is still loose in my chest as a result of the bypass surgery in 2000, and when leaning forward, the pacemaker pulses had been getting into my chest muscles. They cut the pacemaker voltage down
and I haven't had this happen to me since, but I'm now very careful of how bent over and for how long I am in that position now, and keep it to a minimum.

[mariasandoval]

Rhank you so much. I will be getting pacemaker I. February. All your information has helped put my mind at ease. May God bless you in your journey.

[aliciamontalvo]

Hello: my name is Alicia. I live in Arizona. I have been listening to your comments for a year almost. May 12, 2023, I had my pacemaker implant. After the surgery, I had so many unanswered questions. I am lucky to have found you, because I have learned so much from you. My life changed dramatically, from an energetic 78 year old, full of life and vitality to an anxious slow moving being. I suffer two months of dizziness and unbalance, i was afraid i was to suffer a stroke at any moment. Once I was called in for a devise check up, it was discovered that there was something unusual going on with one of the leads. It was tuned and since I have no issues. Now it’s a matter of regular check ups. Thanks to you, I have learned to keep my mind still and take it a day at a time. You are my inspiration and I pray the Lord to keep you safe and healthy. Thanks.

[floraramos]

Thank you for sharing your experience about the pace maker.because it helps me to inderstand what pace maker can do to our life.i am 72 years old i had just my pace maker nov.11 but they did not do it well so i had passed out17hrs after my pace maker so they re do it again for the second timein the first time i did not feel any thing but the second time wow its to pain but i thank you to the 2 pilipina nurse they are on my side to tell you i dont have no idea about that pace maker untill i had.now im to scary what will happend but when you related about your experience i become brave to understand.thank you so much for sharing your stories i got it we have to be strong and have faith to almighty god abave.

[Kitman]

Thanks for your videos. I’m 2 weeks in to my pacemaker (heart block issues same as you). At 43 and living an active life usually cycling 2 hours a day, I do worry about whether my heart will recover back to what it was. Unfortunately the cardiologist isn’t the person to put my mind at ease - he was mostly focussed on me not dying. Your videos are a great help. Thank you.

[armandmontano]

Thank you for sharing, I'm 47 and just had my pacemaker implanted 4 days ago. When I was told that I needed it I broke down. Mainly because I have a fear of being electrocuted .
But after discussing the issue with my cardiologist he explained I was not receiving an ICD I felt a little better. Also reading everyone's comments is helping with my fears. Take care and enjoy life as much as you can!

[karenclausen]

The only worry I had was pulling or dislodging the leads because I would forget not to reach over my shoulder height. I had some secondary swelling at incision site, urgent care visit. I am doing great, never give it a second thought. Only bad thing I found out is I am using it a lot, so battery replacement may be sooner than 7 to 8 years. Oh well, I'm still travelling in my campervan this coming spring, USA here I come.🤩😉🙂

[daystarcreations]

Hey I'm 31, doctors jacked up my heart with a miss diagnosis and medication and now I'm looking at having a pace maker put in. I'm pretty freaked out. It's almost 6 am and I can't sleep. I'm very anxious. I have a sleep study scheduled for tonight. Anyhow. I appreciate your videos and will pray for you bud. Take care.

[avineeshsharma]

I am really happy for you, from the bottom of my heart I hope you live long and enjoy whatever you want in life. You might silently be keeping up spirits of soo many people.. best of luck my brother.

[FloridaClay]

So sorry you've had the Covid issues. I had my PM installed a week ago today and it seems to be functioning just fine. I still have 3 weeks to go with my left arm restrictions and am trying to be careful with it. The surgery proved to produce far less pain than I anticipated and is best described now as a fairly low level ache at the site. I have not had too much anxiety about the procedure as I did a lot of on-line research beforehand, including watching some of your videos, and pretty much knew how the device worked and what to expect.

[cbordes]

This has been so helpful because I’m having all of the same feelings but I have no one to express them to. You gave me confidence to move ahead with getting mine. Thank you.

[DragonsAteOurName]

It's so good to hear you're still doing alright. Besides all the health problems. I hope it will continue to be okay!
I've had the same experience you had with re-prioritising my life and what is important. I allow myself to persue things I would have put to the side before as I deemed them non-essential. I just want to enjoy the time I have and I learned that time can be shorter than I thought.
I do have anxieties still, especially since my replacement surgery will be sometime next year. But all in all, I feel like I learned a lot having gotten the pacemaker.
I hope things will stay good!

[danielnew]

Hi there,

I wanted to take a moment to say "thank you" for all of your videos. I'm 35 and was informed yesterday that I need a pacemaker due to Vasovagal Syncope and Dysautonomia. Occasionally, I will pass out due to various reasons and have been trying to get better answers for most of my life. I had a loop monitor implanted last year that records a 24/7 EKG and sends daily results to my Cardiologist. Last week I passed out again and had a few heart pauses, with one of them being 69 seconds. Again, I'm a young, active, healthy, and fit guy... so this news yesterday definitely hit me hard. I looked around for all kinds of information and your vlog has helped me more than anything and finally gave me some peace. So again, thank you for putting your story out there and so happy everything has gone well with your situation! Cheers to many more great experiences!!

Best,
Daniel