Confusion

Hi all,

I have now had my pace maker for the last 3 years and whilst everything is going reasonably well I still have regular dizzy spells and about every six weeks I faint. Last week after a hard 60 kilometre bike ride I had pains in the chest and felt dizzy. I spoke to my partner and we agreed I would visit the local hospital. After being admitted I had two fainting spells and the blood results came back with a significant level of Troponins. Over the next few days I had a number of tests and despite some minor concerns everything looks OK. I again saw a neurosurgeon and he discounted epilepsy and the best they can now put it down to is Vasovagal Syncope. After 4 days I was released from hospital but my blood tests are still showing levels of troponins.

It is proposed that I now commence Midodrine.

I would be interested in hearing if others have had similar experiences. I constantly get asked to wind back the exercise but at this stage I am holding firm.

Paul

3 Comments

Fainting spells

by Pookie - 2011-11-28 06:11:11

Not that I'm a doctor, but if you are fainting and holding firm on your bike rides, I'm guessing it's just a matter of time before you faint while riding - I don't mean to sound sarcastic, just concerned. Why would you want to hold firm when you could potentially hurt yourself? Could you not find another type of exercise for the time being to see if this lightheadedness/fainting goes away if and when you start the Midodrine...(which by the way, I was also on and couldn't tolerate the side effects but I'm quite sensitive to a lot of meds) it could be of great benefit to you, then you could get back into your riding. I guess I always err on the side of caution as safety is first in my books. But we all have choices and it's totally up to you what you do.

I too have Vasovagal but my Neurologist & Cardiologists call it Neuorcardiogenic Synope, it has a few other names as well:)

I keep hydrated, (I drink Pedialyte - it's for babies, instead of Gatoraide as that is full of sugar), and I wear compression stalkings - just trying to keep my blood pressure up. Oh - and I do eat salt but that makes the edema in my lower legs worse. It's like walking a fine line, but I must say that as the years have passed, I've gotten a lot better.

How did they diagnose you with Vasovagal?...did you have a tilt table test???? Just curious.

Take care and I wish you all the best.

Pookie



fainting spells

by Mitch - 2011-11-30 01:11:49


Having had experience with a syncope while cycling I can attest to the fact you would not like that!
I too am an avid cyclist (12000) miles a year, and in 2007 I fainted while desending a mild hill and probably doing about 30mph. lucky for me there were no cars behind me. according to wittness I was unconsicious for over 30 min and semi for another 10-15. Four days in the hospital, 48 stiches,staples a pacemaker and 10 days later i was riding again. In my case they could find nothing wrong with the heart and the pacer was a precaution more than anything else. I also had to have follow up surgery 6 mo later to remove about 5% of dead tissue in the left thigh. At 76 I have continued to ride and have had no further problems (once the pacer was correctly adjusted) My doctor felt riding was safe for me, with the pacer, and did ok me to continue.
I have to say that the first year or two I only cycled on roads with wide shoulders and rumble strips hoping if it happened again I would not be in front of traffic.
I would NOT have continued to ride if I had suffered any more fainting spells.












Neurocardiogenic syncope

by gizelle - 2012-01-17 01:01:28

I too am a cyclist and have neurocardiogenic syncope that was not controlled with a pacemaker alone. I tried all the medications out there and my cardiologist discovered that 1250 ml of saline infused through a port a cath 8 hours a day keeps me functioning and feeling fairly well. I put my pump and infusion bag in a one shoulder back pack and ride with it. It's worth a try if you are having issues. At one poing I could not ride over 5 miles a time without fainting or almost fainting.

Just went to an hour long spin class last night and had a blast.

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So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.