Rate response & gasping for breath & bloating

• by DavidS
• 2011-04-23 02:04:38
• Checkups & Settings
• 1872 views
• 1 comments

Hi Everyone,

Had a St Jude pacemaker implanted January 2009 for second degree AV block. Additional complications before and since - Sinus Bradycardia (about 50 bpm), paroxysmal atrial flutter/fibrillation, pacemaker mediated tachycardia(PMT). Currently taking flecainide. AV delay 325ms (sensed) to encourage own heart rate. Base rate set at 60 bpm to minimize AF. Pvarp 325ms to eliminate PMT. Max tracking rate 90bpm.

Apart from episodes of AF I have felt generally OK and could run slowly for about an hour. Over the last 2 or 3 months have started to find it harder to climb stairs or walk up a steep hill.
Ventricular pacing was 72%. Atrial 92%. 

Technician suggested about 3 weeks ago that rate response may help. I have found it a most unpleasant experience and it feels totally unnatural. Particularly seemingly gulping in air with bloating and some belching. Also lightheadedness when I bend down. It does help slightly with the stairs but can only run for about 3 or 4 minutes before having to walk.  I went back to the clinic last week where they adjusted the RR settings but this has not helped at all.

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms with the gulping in of air and how do I explain it to the techs?  When I mentioned it last week they didn’t seem to recognise it as a problem.  It has only occurred since rate response was set and I feel inclined to ask them to turn it off.  Any suggestions that anyone has would be most welcome.

Thank you.