I'm scared

I go for my post pm 2 wk check tomorrow and I have so many questions and I don't even know what to ask. So far I feeling pretty good...more energy and the most restful sleep in my whole life. But at times after a flight of stairs I get SOB and palpations I can hear my heart beat really loud. Is this normal. What are they going to do tomorrow are they going to interrogate me.? Am I going to meet a pm tech? Will they arbitrarily chage the settings if I complain? Should I keep the factory settings and not say anything? As u can tell I'm a newby and don't know what to expect and that's scary. Also I have what seems a muscle tension that has been ongoing since my pm implant on 3/30/12. The pain is in my neck and shoulder. Sometime unbearable--did I pull something or is this normal? So many questions. Help if u can. Thanks.

6 Comments

No worries! :)

by mego13 - 2012-04-16 09:04:07

I just celebrated my 2 year pacemaker anniversary with my lumpy on 4/13 and I want you to know there is nothing to worry about when you go in for checkups!

You should most definately tell the doc and pm tech anything you feel is bothersome and write things down before your appointment! I always forget to mention something or ask questions unless I have a list! :(

They will put a wand over your pacemaker site to check your pacemaker and can make any changes depending on your complaints. I have been in for chek ups and pacemaker adjustments several times in the last couple of years because of different complaints, and they are always understanding and want you to feel 100% with your pacemaker!

If you need anything or have any questions, let me know and I'll see what I can do to answer you! Always remember to tell them what is bothering you if anything so they can make changes so you feel 100%! Good luck!

Megan

PS

by bjbumblebee - 2012-04-16 11:04:14

Always tell your doctor about any concerns you have because sometimes a simple setting change can resolve the issue. Also the SOB you are experiencing may just be you need to build up your endurance.

Interrogation

by bjbumblebee - 2012-04-16 11:04:22

During the interrogation they may lower or speed up your heart rate briefly which may be bothersome. The tech should tell you in advance. When they lower my heart rate I get really freaked out but after over 30 years I have learned to breath through it and the techs now know me so well that they work so quickly I rarely feel it anymore. Just ask them to tell you what to expect in advance so you are not surprised! Never be afraid to speak up and ask as many questions as you can think of. I had one doctor who was always changing the setting to save the battery life which caused me problems but my current doctor keeps the settings the Mentronic tech set. All in all the interrogation is fine but if you are sensitive like I am you may experience anxiety everytime before your appointment. It's just part of having a PM.

Bonnie

Nothing to worry about

by simonj - 2012-04-17 01:04:20

Hi

Had my first pm check today and all went well . They checked and changed my settings , answered any questions I had and were great . Next check up in 4 months . You may feel a few "flutters" when they check / change your settings but felt nothing in the way of discomfort and the technicians explained everything both before and during any tests / adjustments .

As Megan said , make a list before you go, of any questions you have so you don't have to worry about forgetting anything.

Let us know how you got on .

Simon

Thank you all

by Heart to work - 2012-04-17 05:04:59

As I noted on another post. It went extremely well because of all of you. The questions and input was phenomenal! I am soo thankful:) I'm no longer scared and I feel pretty confident about my health now. Thanks a hundred times over!!!!

Factory settings

by ElectricFrank - 2012-04-17 12:04:00

The last thing you want to do is keep the factory settings. They are designed to provide support for a wide range of patients where a pacer is implanted in an emergency situation. They are rarely if ever correct for long term use in the individual.

The SOB climbing stairs is likely due to a setting called Upper Tracking Limit which limits the maximum heart rate the pacer can provide. For the reasons I mentioned above it is generally set to a low number like 110-120bpm. When your HR exceeds the limit it causes your heart to skip beats much like an old car with bad spark plugs. A quick run up a flight of stairs can easily put you in this situation especially if you a bit out of shape from waiting to get the implant.

best wishes,

frank

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I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.