My grandmother had one put in at 88 and it made a world of differnce.
She felt lots better and never had a single problem with it.
I hope your mom has the same results and I think she will.

Flamey, my sister has a pacemaker and it has made the world of difference in her quality of life.

Last year she had her old pacemaker replaced and a new version put in but the only thing she doesn't like with this pacemaker it is bigger and sits up closer near her collarbone which she doesn't like because you can see it and it interferes with what she can wear and sometimes when she moves or turns.

Marjorie goes to the Pacemaker Clinic a few times a year where they use a scan held over the pacemaker that reads it and make sure it is working correctly. They can also adjust it at this time.

Other than not liking the size of her new pacemaker and where it is located Marjorie doesn't really notice it at all.

I think your Mom will notice a big change in her energy level with a pacemaker.

Wishing your Mom well.

Anne

I thank God for whoever invented the pacemaker. DH had one "installed" last summer. They are mainly put in because your heart rate is either really slow, or irregular. There are several kinds--one-wire going to the heart chamber, two-wire and one with a difibrillator (sp?). They keep your heart beating at a steady rate which helps with symptoms your mother is probably having--angina-like pain, being tired, etc.

Some things she should know is that she cannot have an MRI after she has the pacemaker. She will also have a problem with airports but will have a card to carry in her wallet. I don't think people with pm's can go through the security metal detector, but I may be wrong. You can be near a microwave now, though. With the older ones, you couldn't.

She will probably have to have it adjusted after a few days/weeks. They are sort of (I guess) preset, but they can tweak them easily. It can even be done over the phone using a telephone device (DH has one) and wrist bands that looks kinda kinky.

Hope she does well. Such a pretty lady deserves to feel good!

I dunno a thing about pace makers but want to send good wishes for your Mum Flamey!!!

BTW, I forgot to check, did you get an evelope from DD? Way past time to check I know!

Both of Dean's parents had one...for as long as I knew them! They lived 90 miles from the heart center, so they would call a number on the phone once a month, and they could monitor them...seemed to work well for them!

Dad would always tell us, when he was suppose to put on his seat belt, that it hurt the pacemaker to wear it...Dean's sis asked Dr. about that and there was nothing to it...but Joe was a VERY stubborn German, and it was HIS way! lol

Hope your mom gets to feeling better...one way or another!

Hi Mingo,

A good portion of my patients have just gone through the pacemaker surgery, so I can tell you about it from that point of view.

The main risk in implantation seems to be with site infection or allergy to the medication the patients have to take. There is always some discomfort near the site when it's placed, but it's usually minor. You'll be suprised how fast she'll recover from it. It's usually only a few days before the doctor's allow these patients to return to work. Of course, that depends on what type of work they do, but for the most part, it's a short "off work" time. Most people do this through outpatient surgery... the people I see are usually the one's in there for something in addition to the pacemaker placement. Even then it's only for a day or two. The doctor uses a small computer device to program the pacer to fit your mom's needs. She should still be able to be active, but do tell her to follow her doctor's advice and take it easy. I'll be happy to send you some info on it from the medical library if you need more.

I know that there are two different types of pacemakers. One is a single chamber pacemaker, and the other is a dual chamber pacemaker. I have heard that dual chamber pacemakers might work more efficiently to reproduce the heart's normal rhythm, but aren't always used in more elderly patients. If your mother will have a pacemaker implanted, ask the doctor which type of pacemaker will be used, and why they are selecting that particular one.

My Aunt had one and it seemed to help her considerably. She had been fainting or passing out and the pacemaker seemed to have remedied that problem. She was 88 when she had it installed and had a very swift recovery. All my best wishes to Mum.

Installation is no problem...having one on site is no problem..... but when they go to tweaking...it's not a problem, it just wears you to a frazzle until all is well again!

My Aunt had one put in because she would actually pass out. She couldn't walk half a block without puffing and huffing. She had no energy at all. Now she is fine and back to normal. It really saved her life! She didn't realize how much she had been missing.

Not one thing Flamey, I just wanted to offer a hug to your mum and you!

(((((Flamey & Flamyey's Mom)))))

My dear friend Esther (like a mom to me) had one put in a year and a half ago. She was 73. Her's has the defib.

They started her slow and every few months (4-6) they turn it up higher. Each time she gets a bit more energy. She's always been very active so this really helped when she was really suffering from fatigue.

Esther told me the doctor suggested she stay away from her cell phone. She still carries it but seldom uses it.

Oh, and another thing, tell Mom to stay away from arch welders. :-) They can interfere with pacemakers.

***

Here's something I just found listed things to avoid or at least be aware of if you have a pacemaker:

What's an artificial pacemaker?

An "artificial pacemaker" is a small, battery-operated device that helps the heart beat in a regular rhythm. Some are permanent (internal) and some are temporary (external). They can replace a defective natural pacemaker or blocked pathway.

* A pacemaker uses batteries to send electrical impulses to the heart to help it pump properly. An electrode is placed next to the heart wall and small electrical charges travel through the wire to the heart.

* Most pacemakers are demand pacemakers. They have a sensing device. It turns the signal off when the heartbeat is above a certain level. It turns the signal back on when the heartbeat is too slow.

AHA Recommendation

If you have an artificial pacemaker, be aware of your surroundings and the devices that may interfere with pulse generators:

Home appliances

* CB radios, electric drills, electric blankets, electric shavers, ham radios, heating pads, metal detectors, microwave ovens, TV transmitters and remote control TV changers, in general, have not been shown to damage pacemaker pulse generators, change pacing rates or totally inhibit pacemaker output.

* Several of these devices have a remote potential to cause interference by occasionally inhibiting a single beat. However, most people can continue to use these devices without significant worry about damage or interference with their pacemakers.

* Power-generating equipment, arc welding equipment and powerful magnets (as in medical devices, heavy equipment or motors) can inhibit pulse generators. Patients who work with or near such equipment should know that their pacemakers may not work properly in those conditions.

Cellphones

* Cellphones available in the United States (less than 3 watts) don't seem to damage pulse generators or affect how the pacemaker works.

* Technology is rapidly changing as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is making new frequencies available. Newer cellphones using these new frequencies might make pacemakers less reliable. A group of cellphone companies is studying that possibility.

Medical equipment

* Carry a wallet I.D. card with you. Equipment used by doctors and dentists can affect your pacemaker, so tell them you have one.

* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnet to produce images of internal organs and functions. Metal objects are attracted to the magnet and are normally not allowed near MRI machines. The magnet can interrupt the pacing and inhibit the output of pacemakers. If MRI must be done, the pacemaker output in some models can be reprogrammed. Discuss with your doctor the possible risks and benefits before you undergo MRI scanning.

* Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a noninvasive treatment that uses hydraulic shocks to dissolve kidney stones. This procedure is safe for most pacemaker patients, with some reprogramming of the pacing. You'll need careful follow-up after the procedure and for several months to be sure your unit is working properly. Patients with certain kinds of pacemakers implanted in the abdomen should avoid ESWL. Discuss your specific case with your doctor before and after the treatment.

* Radiofrequency (RF) ablation uses radio waves to manage a wide variety of arrhythmias. Recent studies of patients with implanted pacing systems measured the units before, during and after RF catheter ablation. They showed that most permanent pacemakers aren't adversely affected by radio frequencies during catheter ablation. A variety of changes in your pacemaker can occur during and after the treatment. Your doctor should carefully evaluate your pacing system after the procedure.

* Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used to relieve acute or chronic pain. Several electrodes are placed on the skin and connected to a pulse generator. Most studies have shown that TENS rarely inhibits bipolar pacing. It may sometimes briefly inhibit unipolar pacing. This can be treated by reprogramming the pulse generator.

* Diagnostic radiation (such as screening X-ray) appears to have no effect on pacemaker pulse generators. However, therapeutic radiation (such as for treating cancerous tumors) may damage the pacemaker's circuits. The degree of damage is unpredictable and may vary with different systems. But the risk is significant and builds up as the radiation dose increases. The American Heart Association recommends that the pacemaker be shielded as much as possible, and moved if it lies directly in the radiation field. If you depend on your pacemaker for normal heart pacing, the electrocardiogram (ECG) should be monitored during the treatment, and your pulse generator should be tested often after and between radiation sessions.

* Dental equipment doesn't appear to affect pacemakers adversely. Some patients may feel an increase in pacing rates during dental drilling.

* Electroconvulsive therapy (such as for certain mental disorders) appears to be safely used in patients with pacemakers.

* Short-wave or microwave diathermy uses high-frequency, high-intensity signals. These may bypass your pacemaker's noise protection and interfere with or permanently damage the pulse

Wow! Thanks, everyone for the good wishes and fabulous information. I'm going to print this out so Mum can read it herself. I'm just sure it'll make her feel better and reassure her.

Thank you all SO much!