still struggling but coping

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since I took the guts to post the first one and here I am again!  I have been reading everyone’s posts and opinions whenever I get the chance...I always feel better after...knowing I am not alone!

Anyway, life has been hell for more than a month...lots of palpitations, lightheadedness, too tired...just to name a few.  I am diagnosed with SSS and afib and have had the pacemaker since May 24, 2012.  I was given Metropolol in the ER on my second time, but that was changed to Bisoprolol that I took for almost 3 months; now that was changed again to Diltiazem a week ago because of my ongoing palpitations.  I ended up having an asthma attack early one morning...good thing I always have something handy to help my breathing problem, but I still continue to have headaches and not having proper sleep is a big bummer...I ended up going home early from work a lot times...too much whining...sorry.

I guess I can say that I’m coping because I’ve been back to work for quite a while now, but remember my pins and needles?...well, the doctors cannot say anything because I can use my left arm without any problem; so I am back to my precious ice pack.  Now, I have to wait how my meds will work for me...palpitations have stopped shortly after my doctor adjusted my pacemaker rate; although I can say that anxiety attacks are very frequent.  I can do a bit of running in between my power walks...BP has gone to normal a bit (I have a history of very low BP)...been eating a lot of food that are rich in iron and other stuff...and guess what...I can sleep on my sides now (not too long though)...AND....my HR is back to normal (the happiest ever)...between 60-70.......yahooo!!!

Guess I really have to wait for quite a while to recover completely, but sometimes I can’t help it but feel the pain...

Thank you all for all the opinions and suggestions that are very helpful not only for me but for the rest...

novie

3 Comments

Anxiety

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-09-22 01:09:45

I've been on buspirone hydrochloride for years. It reduces the anxiety without making you feel high. Might want to ask your doctor about that.

Sounds like your having a little more trouble adjusting than the norm. My guess is the doctor had your voltage up too high. That causes your heart to REALLY BEAT!!!! They tend to crank it when they first put it in to get rid of the emergent problem and reduce it on the first visit.

I found that reducing the low end rate to 50 helped me sleep a lot better. I am really athletic, and that was my resting norm before SSS kicked in. You might ask him to lower it by 5 and see what happens. They can always kick it back up if it makes you feel bad.

Best wishes - Dave

thanks

by novie - 2012-09-23 04:09:28

Dave, I believe I will be asking my doctor about that meds that you have mentioned...
I have to tell you though that the first time I had my PM clinic visit...I was told that everything is just ok...although, he honestly told me that he knows nothing about my condition as far as my problem is concerned...he was just a technician to see if my PM is running good....so I feel like not going back there at all if I have the choice....(well. I guessed I have to go back there simply because they are the one who can tell if my PM batteries are still good....like duh!!!
Anyways, my heart specialist can reset my PM himself if there's ever a need (just like last week...and men I tell you...that was really a blessing that I did asked about resetting it...I don't have problem sleeping.....only I find it annoying to wake up at 2am almost everyday....and to think that my alarm is set at 4am (I have to be at work by 5:30 am)...still commuting....I'm still having a hard time driving...
As I said...I'm coping....just like everyone else...I will eventually will be back to normal....as in "normal"...
I am very athletic just like you but I'm taking my time....running is new to me nowadays (I used to be a track fielder during my younger years)...I managed to go for a swim....I missed cycling (I find it hard to bring my bike 3 floors up and down ....maybe next summer I will be able to do it......one at a time...thanks again...

Spine no problem...I hope!!!

by novie - 2012-09-23 05:09:54

As I have mentioned, I can use my left arm with no problem at all....my specialist actually rotate my shoulder just to see if I will react with pain....but none!!...needless to say, nothing he can say about it..
And as you said...it takes time to heal!!
I never had a problem with my back....I always look after it since my kind of job is always keeping me on my feet during the day....
I have tried acupuncture when I had carpal syndrome way back 10 years ago and I did not have any problem with it...it did worked wonders!!! It never came back since!
The pins and needles started after my pacemaker implant....it does bother me whenever it strikes (on and off)....it is hard especially when I'm working in the computer at work or even at home...wish I have my ice pack while I'm working...
thanks for the heads up...

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

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