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Hi there
I had a medtronic mri compatable pacemaker fitted may 2012 due to 2nd degree heartblock. I have never felt ok since it was fitted and various problems have come up. The first problem was my heartrate was going too high 167 when sitting down this was found out about 4 weeks after the fitting and beta blockers were given to sort that out. A reason for the high heart rate was never given but I do wonder if the pacemaker is causing this as I never suffered from this before. At my 6 week pacemaker check they said all was ok but then after my doctor complained that I was still feeling ill they did another pacemaker check 2 weeks ago and they found that when I was going from sitting to movement the pacemaker was coming in too early and not giving my heart the chance to work. On the pacemaker reading it showed lots of fuzzy lines so the settings were changed. I was experiencing lots of pulsing in the stomach and throat which do seem to be better since the change but my stomach feels dreadfully tense and have sharp stabbing pains in the chest but not on excertion, my chest feels tight and my legs feel tired. I just wonder how long it will take for the body to recover from this, or if indeed it should be instant. I have a meeting with the surgeon in a week but wondered if anyone had any ideas. When I am getting dressed my left arm is still difficult to move in certain positions and I wonder if the pacemaker is not in the best position and is irritating my heart.
Any ideas would be gratefully received.

5 Comments

Raise hell

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-10-05 02:10:08

SOunds like many of the symptoms I had when a lead had pierced my heart. THe only sympton I didn't have was the increased heart rate.I had to threaten to remove the PM with a box knife before they would listen and find the problem. Once they fixed the lead, all is good.

If I were you, I would raise hell until somebody fixed the problem. If they can't find it, go to another doctor.

Good luck.

Dave

Adustment by Flailing Around

by ElectricFrank - 2012-10-05 11:10:06

There are 2 ways to adjust a pacemaker.
1. Analyze and understand the processes going on in the heart and make appropriate adjustment.

2. Start throwing adjustments at the wall to see what sticks. This is becoming more common with programming being done by a nurse or tech with the cardiologist sticking his/her head in the door saying "try this"'

The frequent statement that "everything is OK" makes no sense. On the other hand it is hard to explain what they are seeing on the

frank

please do persist

by Hope - 2012-10-06 07:10:28

Hi! Please don't delay getting an answer for your symptoms. To me, it is time for medical advice from a previously uninvolved source. Will be thinking of you. Hopeful Heart

many thanks

by liz - 2012-10-07 04:10:27

many thanks to you all, it is a great relief to get your replies. Dave, I had read your message about the leads going into your heart before I last went to the hospital. I asked the tech if this was possible in my case. He said the surgeon was the best 24 years exp, had 2 cardioecho's and a chest xray after the implant and all were fine. I have to see the surgeon in a week so leads are high on my list. Thank you all once again.

Pain in chest and back

by Peggygrant - 2012-10-23 06:10:07

i have been in a lot of pain in my chest and back. All tests come back clear. Drs say i can live with it, and it won't kill me. i wish they would tell me, I can't walk too far, i get the chest pain. another Dr said its non-cardiac. I have A-Fib with pausesAV Block. Sick Sinus Syndrome. I have my MRI compatible pacemaker I got it 21/2/ 2012

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

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