Pacemaker

Hello, I am new to this site, and I am so happy to see that there are other people out here like me!
In 2/11 I was admitted into the hospital with a heart rate of 33 bpm and my heart rate kept dropping. I was transported to another hospital locally where I live via ambulance where more tests were ran on me and the Dr.s were still not able to figure out what was going on with me other than I was in 3rd degree AV block. They ran lots of blood work, X-rays, 2D echos, and decided that I needed to go to an even bigger hospital for a possible pacemaker placement. I was transported again via ambulance to Columbus Ohio and went through a battery of test and the team of Dr's there decided that I needed a PM so I had the surgery done and was sent home the next day. I was sore and tired I really think that I felt alot better going into the hospital then I did coming out to be honest. Well about 2 weeks later I could not catch my breath went back to the local ER I was admitted the staff thought that I was having a PE (blood clot) in my lungs, turns out after I was there 4 days they determined that I over extended my right side and was wearing the wrong bra's??? Sent me home!!! I went back the next day for a doppler on my leg and was positive for a blood clot in my left calf??? While at home I kept telling my spouse I am having problems lying down I couldn't do it I had to sleep in our recliner well my feet and ankles swelled so bad that I had to go back to the ER to get the fluid off of me they thought I was having a PE?? Well they found fluid around my heart and transferred my to our other local hospial via ambulance b/c they don't deal with cardiac issues? I get to the other hospital they do a 2D echo and think that my PM wire punctured my R ventricle! OMG, so, they want to send me back to the hospital that placed my PM and they do so back to Columbus I go, where they have to do a pericardiocentisis (OUCH) they removed over a liter of fluid from around my heart! That is why I could not lay down. I still have pain under my left breast, I don't hardly ever sleep and my shoulder froze and I have had 3 injections from a pain Dr to release that and Physical Therapy and I really just wonder does it ever get better???? Just some answers would be great!!! Thank you

3 Comments

welcome also

by Rodlyn - 2012-03-24 01:03:44

WOW!!! What on ordeal!. I had a puntured lung after my surgery and then months later a blood clot to my right arm. My pacer was put in on an emergency basis by a pulmonologist and was placed on the right side. Over all, first I would not be alive and second I do feel much better with it than without. It was like someone turned up the dimmer switch to full on. I have never heard of the wire puncturing the ventricle. That must be rare. Give yourself some time.

Another hard to understand case

by ElectricFrank - 2012-03-24 03:03:55

The 3rd degree AV block explained the problem and should have resulted in immediate pacing support and pacemaker implant. All the tests etc. were likely either due to incompetence or $$$.

You describe my situation quite well. sudden drop in HR to 40 followed by a continued drop until I was down to 26 just before the implant. Fortunately, my GP and I were able to spot a normal sinus rhythm, but total ventricular dissociation. on an ECG (typical AV Block). 2 days later I had a simple pacer implant and left the hospital a new person. This is the way it is supposed to be.

Sorry you have been through so much unnecessary pain. There's nothing you could have done about it.

frank

Thank you

by brokenheart97 - 2012-03-24 11:03:26

Thanks, I have been thinking of seeing another cardiologist to see if maybe he/she can shed some light on the matter? Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. I will be reading this site often for suggestions and to be able to give my input!

Thank you again and God Bless ya =)

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