Very worried

Hi My name is monique, I don't hve a pacemaker yet, and I would like to know if I need to get one, I have been to emergency a lit of times, I feel so much tired all the time, like dragging all the time, dizzy, fainting a lot of times, short breath and I had a lot of tests done already which says that I have bradycardia. I have a consultation this week with cardiologist and don't know what he is going to say, my heart rate is about 35 to 45, never more than this. I heard that it can be treated with medicines or a pacemaker. I can't take any medicines because I start vomiting it. I really wanted my doctor to advise me having a pacemaker implant, but I am so afraid he tells me there is no need for this to be done and prefer me to take medicines. In my case, what do you think he is more likely to do??? Do you thing my problem an only be sorted just by taking medicines or I really need a pacemaker?? Thank you so much, I can't even sleep thinking about it...

3 Comments

Getting A PM, Maybe

by SMITTY - 2013-02-18 08:02:18

Hello Monique,

I'll put my money on yes the dr will say you need a PM. It would be most unusual for anyone's heart that is beating in the 35 to 45 range and feeling as you do not to need one. As for medicines to treat your problem, my guess is the first thing you need is a faster heart rate and I know no medicines that can successfully increase a heart rate. Of course I'm not a dr and certainly don't know all the meds available. But I do know increasing a slow heart rate is a job made to order for a PM.

From what I read in your message, you are really apprehensive about having to get a PM. Don't be. The surgery and recovery is simple and not painful. I'm on my second PM and neither time did I have to stay in the hospital overnight. You will have to adjust the use of your arm on the side the PM is implanted for a few days to a few weeks. After that if you are like most of us you will not even know you have a PM as it just sits there doing its job very quietly and without even letting you know it's working.

If you find you will be getting a PM and would like to have it, I have written a little spiel on what takes place during the surgery. Let me know if you would like and I'll be glad to post you a copy.

Hope you can let us know what the dr has to say.

Good luck,

Smitty

Bradycardia

by golden_snitch - 2013-02-18 09:02:38

Hi Monique!

I'd say that your symptoms match your diagnosis, bradycardia, very well. And since tests have already confirmed that diagnosis, I'd expect the cardiologist to take action.

There are not a lot of medicines out there that can actually speed your heart rate up, so a pacemaker is what is used in most cases to treat bradycardia. I tried one medication before I had the pacer implant for sinus bradycardia. I only remember that this drug didn't help much. It was not a drug specifically for bradycardia; that it increases the heart rate is rather one of it's very common side effects, and therefore it's sometimes used to treat bradycardia.

With bradycardia and symptoms as bad as yours, I guess it's highly likely that the cardiologist will talk about a pacemaker implant. Unless the bradycardia has other causes than a dysfunction in your natural pacemaker, the sinus node. Sometimes electrolyte imbalances or thyroid problems can cause bradycardia, so that should be ruled out before a pacemaker is implanted.

Don't worry that the cardio won't do anything, I bet he will help you.

Good luck!
Inga

ditto

by Tracey_E - 2013-02-18 11:02:22

Inga took the words right out of my mouth! Your symptoms are severe enough that the cardio will surely take action to help you. Odds are pretty good he'll recommend a pacer after ruling out thyroid. Good luck to you! If you have any questions or just want to chat with someone who's been there, please don't be shy.

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