Pacemaker for the Heart.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by urnmor

I will have a pacemaker installed and am curious if others have one. If how has it, if at all, impacted your travels and or camping.

Thanks

Welcome to the club. I suffered third degree (complete) electrical heart block 11/23/21. I was resuscitated 11 times (that I remember). I was 58 years old an a life long athlete (maratahons, centuries). Spent 11 days in CCU. Did not think I would leave there alive.
This happened after receiving my one (and only) covid vaccine. Cardiologists and neurologist have offered no other cause and I have seen plenty of them (worlds finest in Boston!). Interpret this as you will.

In any case, I am back to my old tricks again, cycle 100 miles/week,hike extensively, often in remote locals. Pacemaker has been seamless. When going remote we do carry a garmin device now (just in case).

It may take a while to wrap your head around having a PM. I didn’t want one,cardiologists said “fine-we cant make you have one. But you will die”. I changed my mind and went ahead with the implant. So far-life has been normal.
God bless and live each day as your last.

Bill

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by BillTex

That’s a good idea…as long as you have a cell signal. We purchased a Garmin In-Reach as a backup for when we are in more remote locations.

Yes.

If I am heading for an overnight or a couple of days into an area with no signal, I text my kids my location, when I will come back out of there, and that I will text them at that time.

If they don’t hear from me, they will try to find cavalry to send in.

So far, no cavalry has been needed, but always best to be prepared.

Maggie

[urnmor]

This is a follow up to my original post. I had the surgery 4 days ago. I did stay over night to ensure the connections were good. All went well. I am restricted from doing most things for at least 6 weeks, especially lifting my left hand above my shoulders and lifting heavy weights. I am glad i had it done as a very good friend died the day before because of low blood pressure which came on un-expectantly. So I guess you just don’t know what the good Lord has planned for you.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by urnmor

This is a follow up to my original post. I had the surgery 4 days ago. I did stay over night to ensure the connections were good. All went well. I am restricted from doing most things for at least 6 weeks, especially lifting my left hand above my shoulders and lifting heavy weights. I am glad i had it done as a very good friend died the day before because of low blood pressure which came on un-expectantly. So I guess you just don’t know what the good Lord has planned for you.

Glad it went well for you. Did they say after 6 weeks you could return to normal activities...or wait and see?

[urnmor]

I believe it will be back to normal activities other than contact sports. So I guess that means no 100 million dollar nfl contract.

[BudE]

Originally Posted by urnmor

I will have a pacemaker installed and am curious if others have one. If how has it, if at all, impacted your travels and or camping.

Thanks

I'm 77 and have had my pacemaker for several years. I bike, water ski, snow ski and hike with no problems from the pacemaker. Wish my knees felt as good as my heart.

[BillTex]

Congrats-you made the decision to live! You should be fine. You never know what life has in store.
Condolences on your Friend.

Party like its 1999!

[Lily&Me]

Good to hear, urnmor, and you may have saved a life or two by posting about this here.

Maggie

[urnmor]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

Good to hear, urnmor, and you may have saved a life or two by posting about this here.

Maggie

I am not going to lie. It is scary and you think about your mortality especially at our age. However I do feel great and IMO it was the right decision. Like others have done. I am going to keep on doing what I always have done”enjoy my Life with Claire”

My thanks to all for their best wishes

[davidrrand]

Originally Posted by urnmor

I will have a pacemaker installed and am curious if others have one. If how has it, if at all, impacted your travels and or camping.

Thanks

AFib runs in my family. Older brother and mother. Easter Sunday in 2019, started feeling ill in church with sweating and light headed. Thought I was having a heart attack so ambulance called, and on the way to the emergency room, emts said I was in AFib. Figured that might be the issue. Cardioversion and meds with thinner addressed the AFib but meds lowered heart rate. Wanted to avoid ablations from knowledge that the older you are the less likely they solve the problem for long, got a Medtronic PM that maintains proper rate and have been pretty good since. App on phone monitors PM and showing 9 more years bat life. No problem traveling so far but AFib tends to get worse the older you get. Will be 72 in a couple of months. Wishing you the best and praise God for the promise of everlasting life through Jesus Christ!

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by urnmor

This is a follow up to my original post. I had the surgery 4 days ago. I did stay over night to ensure the connections were good. All went well. I am restricted from doing most things for at least 6 weeks, especially lifting my left hand above my shoulders and lifting heavy weights. I am glad i had it done as a very good friend died the day before because of low blood pressure which came on un-expectantly. So I guess you just don’t know what the good Lord has planned for you.

Good news urnmor. Glad the procedure went well. There are thousands of folks with pacemakers. The technology has been around for a long time. So there aren’t many unknowns.
One of my best friend’s mother got her pacemaker about 15 years ago. She’s gone from a pretty frail 79 yr old to an amazingly active 95 yr old.

[trikdacy]

I have had one since I was 40 y.o. It's been 30 years now.
I do not give it a second thought.
I also ride a Harley too.
After getting over the initial psychological effects of needing one, you will be fine.
Just get it checked as per your doctors recommendation.

[SnM]

Had mine since 2000. Several generator changes and finished the last nine years of a 26 year military career. Life must and will go on!! Enjoy your travels, may they be safe and happy!!