sleeplessness

After the implantation of my pacemaker, my surgeon set the pacing rate to 70 per minute. I could not sleep. At the followup meeting, I told my surgeon that I could not sleep and my heart rate before the implantation was 60 per minute. It was then reset to 60 and now, I am able to sleep. If you have the sleeping problem after the implantation, check with your doctor to find out your heart rate before the procedure and adjust it accordingly. It might solve your sleeplessness problem.

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1 Comments

I think this is an overlooked condition

by jds66 - 2012-08-01 11:08:33

I believe that after they implant a pacemaker, if you cannot sleep, they are quick to medicate and tell you the pacemaker is working fine, why are you complaining?

I had the same issue after mine was put in in late March. My heart was used to beating in the 30's at night mainly.

Right out of the box, they set me at 60. I could not sleep at all- just an hour here and there, and that was even taking ambien.

After 3 weeks of terrible sleep deprivation, I begged them that I knew my body and turn it down to 40.

Within a week, I started to sleep normally again. I since have had it turned up to 50, and sleep stayed normal, though some complications have me currently back at 40.

I believe they should factor in the patients current resting heart rate when setting the pacer up right out of the box.

Someone with SSS- like me, turning me up to 60 was like having my adrenaline pumping all the time.

A slow gradual build up is what is probably a better route, but in the zeal to cure someone, they often dont think of their condition, rather what works for the masses.

Glad you are sleeping again.

You know you're wired when...

You have a $50,000 chest.

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In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.