Shortness of breath

I have had my PM for four weeks and am experiencing shortness of breath. I feel as if I have run three miles instead of simply walking up the stairs or doing yard work. I also get this feeling at times when I get up or when I am bending dow to pick something up. I was told that I would feel so much better after getting my PM and so far I do not feel better; I have less energy than before and this shortness of breath is bothersome. Has anyone had similiar feelings? Am I just impatient?

6 Comments

Yes Settings and...

by chip - 2009-04-28 01:04:16


Sorry to hear you’re having a few problems. Don’t get discouraged it sometimes takes a few trips back to the doc to get the setting on these complicated devices just right.

I would agree with TraceyE that you should give your EP a call, explain your situation and make an appointment for an interrogation.

I would suggest however that you be persistent; if you still don’t feel right call again & again until they get it right for you. Don’t just accept feeling bad.

Then too ask if the rate response feature of your pacemaker is turned on. If it isn’t I would ask that they switch it on and give it a try as it may help with your shortness of breath. (It help me a great deal)

If you have anymore questions don’t be afraid to ask. This site is a treasure trove of good real life information!

Hang in there – Be a pest until its right - & Good Luck!

Yep!!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-04-28 02:04:55

I had those exact problems for quite a few weeks, then, suddenly one day I began to feel better, and I have built up my fitness levels again gradually, and now, 6 months down the line I'm pretty much back to my pre op fitness.

Keep at it!! HH

Been there -

by ccmoore - 2009-04-28 06:04:32

The above comments are right on.
I had similar conditions as HH. It took about 6 months to get it right and another 2 months for me to believe it was right.

I think that part of my problem was getting use to the generic Metoprolol ER and Verapamil. I had never been on any long term meds in my life.

Now pretty much like HH, ... back to pre op fitness and orneriness.
Later,
Charlie

Shortness Of Breath

by Bill-2 - 2009-04-28 06:04:33

Check your heart rate. If it up to say 60 or above my guess is that your shortness of breath is not caused by your pacemaker. Speeding up your heart beat is all that pacemaker is supposed be doing, and shortness of breath can be caused by many things. I say see your doctor and let him tell you what is going. Good luck.

settings

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-28 12:04:05

You may want to ask to have the pm interrogated. It sounds like your settings need tweaked. It's very common for the settings they send us home with to not be quite what we need. It's an easy fix.

meds and tiredness

by richard1 - 2009-06-04 08:06:06

I read the comment by comoore on 4/29/2009 and wondered asbout the Metoprolol etc. They make you tired. I have been so tired and cannot do anything. I am on diabetes meds also. Rich

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I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.