New Pacemaker and falling asleep

I got my Pacemaker installed on July 16 and wasn't due to go to the first interrogation until August 23. However, I have been so tired in the afternoons. In fact I fell asleep in our staff meeting yesterday - very embarrassing! So I have an appointment this morning to ask them about at the Alaska Heart Institute who did the installation. What questions should I ask about settings? Is it true that they may have default settings when first installed and now need adjusting? Is there a bottom number and a top number that means something? I would appreciate any advice on what to ask them. Thank you so much!

4 Comments

Mary

by mike thurston - 2012-07-31 02:07:57

I am sure they will answer your questions. There are varying parameters that they can set your PM to. Usually if the PM is for a slow heart rate it is set to assist when a certain low BPM is reached, say 60 bpm for example. If the rate is higher it just monitors until needed. In cases like mine where I am PM dependent the low is set to 80 bpm and the high is set to 140 bpm. Every sitation is unique and you and your physician work with a PM tech. to arrive at the proper settings. Best wishes.

healing

by Tracey_E - 2012-07-31 03:07:19

Yes, it's common to need settings adjusted but it's usually to accommodate exercise. It's perfectly normal to feel the need for extra sleep the first few weeks. It's a minor surgery, but a surgery nonetheless, so our bodies need time to heal. Also, if you aren't sleeping as well at night, it'll make you more tired during the day. I napped for a good month because it drives me nuts being too sore to sleep on my left side, so I wasn't sleeping much at night.

Whether the top or bottom number is relevant depends on why you have the pm.

Thank you

by Good Hearted Mary - 2012-08-02 02:08:48

Thank you for the comments above from Mike and Tracey! The technician said everything was working perfectly but she did raise the bottom number to 70 and said that they only do small increments at a time. So I go again in three weeks and they can do more adjusting. Wierd how they place that "thing" over my pacemaker and it transmits all kinds of information to them, including battery usage, heart rate, etc. They told me that in a month or so I will be able to transmit from my home over the phone but for the time being like seeing them in person because this is all so new to me. I don't want to be left all alone with this pacemaker, I guess! And the reason I had to get one is because I was having pauses; the last one for 7 seconds, and I never felt a thing. And I never passed out either. Several years ago I was having major problems with afib and was on metropol and diltiazem to control it. But I found out that magnesium works just as well so I was able to wean off the prescription meds because they were lowering my heart rate when I already have low blood pressure. I have four siblings and for us it is a genetic thing with these heart issues. Three siblings have had ablations for afib but I am the first with a pacemaker. I appreciate all the help on this website. It is a great place to vent with people who understand.

Mary, at least youhave an excuse!

by donr - 2012-08-03 08:08:42

I was infamous for falling asleep at staff meetings & I did not have a PM to blame it on! For some reason, the boss never noticed it, or was tactful enough to not say anything. Everyone else knew, however & wondered when I'd get caught gathering wool. I think the rest of the staff had a pool going on when I'd get caught.

I always sat next to the general counsel at staff meetings. He was a friendly soul, who initially tried to keep me awake w/ gentle nudges under the table, but gave it up as a lost cause.

One day, el Bosso ran through a long winded problem & at the end said w/ lightning bolt attention-getting that he wanted ME to sort it out. All that saved my zonked out butt was the GC telling me afterward what I was expected to do. I hadn't the foggiest idea what had preceded my name being said - but I sure knew what followed!

Don

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At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!