Why am I so tired!

Had a pacemaker installed 6 days ago and I was wondering if it's normal to be to tired. My heart is beating with a nice rhythm but it seems to pound in my chest when I exert myself even just a little. As far as I can tell I did not dislodge any wires (how can I tell anyway). I realized that I have been sleeping with my arm over my head during the night. Could that have caused a problem?

Too many questions...

7 Comments

Setting change

by TalkinCardio - 2012-04-04 03:04:47

I'm certainly no expert, but it sounds like you need a setting change. There is a setting that can tell your pm how long it detects activity before it speeds up your heart rate to accomodate for exercise. So for example, it can be told to wait until you are active for 2 minutes or longer before kicking it up or, it can be told to kick up within seconds of you being active.

The combination of recent surgery and possible setting change needed could certainly cause you to feel tired all the time. Dont settle for feeling this way. Hopefully your pm check is coming up soon or maybe you should call and get in sooner. Good luck, keep us posted.
Cathy

Dislodged Leads?

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2012-04-04 05:04:47

I would think it would depend on why you have you PM to remotely determine if you have dislodged a lead. Other than having an interrogation I dont think it's something you could self diagnose unless you are PM dependent or you are running below your minimum setting. Again, this is just me thinking off the top of my head. You mentioned your heart pounds with little exertion. I agree with the above, most of us need an adjustment beyond the standard settings that our DR felt was the appropriate initial setting or the factory recommended which does not work well for most based on what I've read.

Then again, I have read stranger things happening. Worth a phone call if you are very concerned :)

Take care,
Heidi

Thanks

by cdegrass - 2012-04-04 10:04:41

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I have taken my doctors recommendation of writing all my questions and concerns down for my first PM consult. I will be sure to mention the night I awoke with my left arm over my head and feeling quite the pain.

Cheers

oops!

by jessie - 2012-04-04 12:04:20

i know that i was exhausted for 3 months after but that was normal as i had braddychardia and 3rd degree heart block so it took time to recover. i don't like it that you slept with your arm over your head so get back to your cardiologist and make sure that nothing is going on with your leads. good luck and welcome! jessie

Interrogation

by Peg541 - 2012-04-04 12:04:33

When you get your first interrogation just tell them how you feel? I felt that pounding when they enabled the rate control response and they turned it off a week later and I was fine. There is always a button they can push to make things feel better.
Peg

Hard to say

by Cobpop - 2012-04-16 11:04:43

I think it is hard to say.

Tell your doctor and technician how you are feeling. It's possible you've done something by raising your arm over your head. You will eventually be able to do that, but you shouldn't do it until things heal properly.

I recall feeling like I had all kinds of energy when I was in the hospital, but then I went home and I felt wasted. I told my doctor and they made a slight adjustment that helped give me a little more pep.

Three years ago I started doing half marathons. I'm 60 years old. I just finished my fifth Half this weekend.

If you don't have an appointment coming up soon - I'd call the office and go in and tell them what's going on.

If you can wait until your next appointment - get a notebook and write down any questions. I find it is hard to remember everything I want to ask. A notebook helps you become a better patient.

Listen to your body it talks to you.

Pacemaker checkup and chest pressure

by cdegrass - 2012-04-16 12:04:43

Thanks for the feedback. I had my first pacemaker clinic meeting a couple of days ago and it looks like the pacemaker leads are fine. During the tests he disabled the device and informed me that my heart has now become reliant on the pacemaker and needs it full time to beat normally. I was told this happens some times and not to be alarmed. Needless to say I was not pleased to find out I now completely rely on the technology :)

What really is worrying me now is the constant pressure I feel in my chest when I get tired. I'm scheduled to see my cardiologist on Thursday and I will insist on him putting me through a full spectrum of tests to see if my heart is taking well to the new hardware.

You know you're wired when...

You can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.

Member Quotes

I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.