Appointment on Wednesday

I have an appointment this Wednesday with the pacemaker technician for my first interrogation and then with my doctor's nurse so I can ask some questions about issues I am having. I had one adjustment about 2 weeks after getting the pacemaker installed on July 16, 2012 but this is the first scheduled interrogation. I received the pacemaker because of sick sinus syndrome. My blood pressure has never been high but I have had low energy for several years. What are the questions I should be asking of the technician? Some I have thought of are: Am I on rate response or not and what is it? What is my low rate and high rate set at? Is there a sleep mode that should be turned on at night because I am sleeping terribly - up and down at least 5 times a night and then finally up at 4 a.m. for the day. Does the PM go into a test mode during the night that could be causing my disrupt in sleep? Am I pacing only when my heart rate goes below a certain rate? Or only if there is a pause? Can I have a copy of my downloaded report and ask them to explain what it means. I am still falling asleep almost every afternoon and I didn't do this before getting a pacemaker. I am also breaking out in a top to bottom sweat at least 3 times during the day. Is this related to the pacemaker or is it something else? Can anyone suggest any other questions I should be asking because I want to be an informed pacemaker user! I appreciate everyone's assistance.

5 Comments

good luck

by Rbtrgt - 2012-08-28 01:08:08

After almost a year, I love my little buddy. I had a sinus rhythm issue and had to be adjusted 3 times. My low rate is 50 and my high rate is 200. As far as sleep issues, I had the same issue with waking up repeatedly for about 2 months. The PM tech was hesitant to set me up with a sleep mode and I am glad she did not do it. I really think my sleep issues were more in my mind than in my heart/PM. However, talk with the Dr and Tech and make sure you are comfortable with the settings. After all, they are your settings and they can always be adjusted again later on. As for the rest of your questions, be open with your Dr and Tech. There are no bad questions and they are typically very open about them. For me, I was tired and worn out for 3 months after the surgery/PM install and all I needed was to get more exercise and have my settings adjusted. 1 year later I am feeling great! As for copies of the readings, I'm not sure about that but they will explain everything to you, all you have to do is ask. These are some of the best health care people I have every seen!

Good luck and keep us up to date
Mark

Good list to check on

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-28 01:08:22

Some of the things like breaking out in a sweat aren't likely pacer related other than the possibility of an infection.

My suggestion is to ask for a copy of the Pre and Post programming report. That will answer a lot of the questions.

frank

Thank you to all who commented!

by Good Hearted Mary - 2012-08-28 03:08:51

Thank you everyone for the tips and suggestions. I will turn 62 day after tomorrow so am post-menopausal. But I do have hypo-thryoidism and take synthroid and maybe I need to get that check to see if my medication needs adjusting to alleviate the sweating. Actually I go to bed at night by 9:30 p.m. because I have a full-time job. But waking up 5 times during the night and then just getting up for the day at 4 a.m. is getting exhausting. I WILL ask for a copy of my download tomorrow morning and hopefully learn about the settings. Pookie, I am curious to know what your low and high settings are as you were diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome as well and mention your chronic fatigue. Thanks again everyone who commented. I appreciate all of the feedback.

low energy

by Pookie - 2012-08-28 03:08:59

Hi:)

I too had very low energy for years and finally went to a Naturopathic doctor.

She explained to me that the ranges for things they test in your blood are soooo old that that is why we are not feeling the best we can. Take for example B12. Mine always fell within the range, so my family doctor didn't do a thing about it. However, my Naturopathic doctor gives me monthly injections and it does help. Also, I don't eat enough protein in the morning. So, I started and boy oh boy what a difference it made. I guess I now believe in that saying "you are what you eat'.

Another thing to look at is your medications (if you are on any) - ask your pharmacist what the side effects can be. I've found my pharmacist so knowledgeable versus my doctor.

And a little bit of exercise is a good thing too - even if you only walk 15-20 minutes a day - it's better than nothing at all.

And yes - the good old menopause - I just turned 50 in March and what was my birthay gift - i found out that I was in full blown menopause, hot flashes and all. It was pretty funny actually as I had just returned from a trip and thought I may have caught a bug so here I was taking my temperature every time I had the sweats and all along it was hot flashes.......LOL.

Sometimes its a bunch of little things that we can do ourselves to help ourselves feel a bit better. I've found most of my answers by chatting with a lot of women around my age and what they do. Communication is a wonderful thing:)

Wishing you all the best and I truly hope you find your answer to your low energy level.

Pookie

questions

by manaman - 2012-08-28 10:08:39

1. No such thing as a dumb question (only dumb answers)
2. IF you are getting up at 4:00 AM and going to sleep in the afternoon I don't see an issue here. What time do you go to bed? You have to have your rest!
3. How old are you? Sweating/hot flashes may be a WOAMN thing!
4. In order to adjust and get stronger you have to EXERCISE and EXERT! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, no pain, no gain!
5. ALWAYS ask for a print out! (Took me over 10 years to realized I needed one! And don't be afraid to ask for print out to be explained!
6. YOU pay for the Doctor/Tech time. Make sure you get your moneys worth!!
7. Try a GOOD multi-vitamin (preferrabe for a woman)
Keep us informed please and good luck!
Cecil

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

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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!