Still No Energy

Hi all. This is my first post here and it's not for me but for my godmother who had a pacemaker fitted about a fortunight ago after several heart failures. One of the valves of her heart wasn't working (she doesn't know which one) and the pump wasn't working. I think she expected a return of energy after the surgery but she has no energy at all and says she is worse than she was before the surgery. She complains of NO other symptoms such as chest pains or dizziness but she has no strength in her legs and is too tired to even lift a cup. Is this normal? I can't find anything on the net about recovery times or stories from anyone who has experienced the same. She is exhausted from the time she wakes up to the time she goes to sleep at night and dozes constantly throughout the day.

7 Comments

Thanks

by jannic - 2010-04-20 09:04:06

Thanks for letting me know that Renee. My Godmother will be relieved to know she's not alone. I wonder how normal this is though and whether her energy levels will improve. I wondered about depression as I know she's sick fed up, I would be too. I'm sure you're as disappointed as she is and I hope this fatigue is not that unusual and only temporary as part of a slower recovery.

Profound Exhaustion

by Pookie - 2010-04-20 11:04:52

Hi.

It happened to me too. I had my pacer when I was 42 in late 2004 for Sick Sinus Syndrome and I am now 48.

Ever since having my pacemaker I have no energy. (But this does not happen to everyone.)

Each year it is getting worse and worse. I even had to quit my job in late 2006.

I finally got to see an EP this year and he says I have Junctional Rhythm as well. He is going to refer me to another type of specialist because he doesn't think my exhaustion & shortness of breath is from the pacemaker or my heart diagnoses. He thinks I may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Sleep Apnea.

I just don't know anymore.

I wish your godmother all the best.

Don't give up hope.

It could be (and I hope it is) that since she just recently went thru surgery - and given a little bit more time - she will regain her strength.

Take care,
Pookie

Another possibility

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-21 01:04:36

Keep in mind that all a pacemaker can do is to correct some types of electrical conduction problems in the heart. It can't do anything about a bad valve or blocked arteries. In some cases it can improve conditions a bit for congestive heart failure.

So in your god mothers case you may not see any noticeable improvement. However, it may keep things from getting worse so is worth while.

best wishes,

frank

Thank You All

by jannic - 2010-04-21 05:04:38

Thank you all so much and I'm so sorry to hear that you're all in similar positions. Being sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired and wanting to put it all behind and carry on living just sums up exactly what I believe my Godmother is feeling. I was hoping I could tell her that the exhaustion was normal and would pass but listening to you all I realise it's just a case of keeping my fingers crossed and doing everything I can to keep her spirits up and alter her expectations a little. Maybe a change of settings will improve things. Or maybe, and what scares me, is that the pacemaker has just stopped the other problems getting worse but the damage has been done and she's now left as weak as a kitten with little chance of seeing much improvement in energy levels. I'll keep you all posted on her progress in the hope that it'll help someone on here with the same questions. Best wishes.

exhaustion

by LS - 2010-04-21 08:04:23

I haven't been sure if it's the medicine that causes me to be exhausted or what??
Anyhow. I decided to go back on a low carb way of eating. Eliminating all sugar & white flour things.
The way I feel is amazing!!!
It's been a week now & I can't believe the difference.
Lot's of veggies being eaten & even low glycemic fruit.
Hope this helps.
Liz

Renee

by LS - 2010-04-21 10:04:09

Just to clarify. LOL My low carb life style is healthy eating! Heart healthy.
I just basically cut out the refined sugar & white flour products.
My meat is lean meat,& lot's of fish. RARELY red meat. Lot's of veggies & like I said, low glycemic fruits.
Like you said, none of the box or canned crap. LOL
Very low sodium for me so as to keep the old BP down.
I haven't drank sodas or coffee for many years, but really try to drink alot of H2O during the day too.
You sure were right about the sunshine & getting out in it!! I love these warmer temps!
Just for me I notice a HUGE correlation between what I eat & how I feel.

Update

by jannic - 2010-06-06 02:06:17

Just thought you'd all like to know that my godmother is improving, little by little. She has developed a voracious appetite and is getting a little stronger each day. The only danger is depression now it appears so am trying to get her to focus on what she can do instead of what she can't do. I'd almost given up hope but the pacemaker is obviously doing something. I hope everyone who replied is also experiencing positive progress.

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.