New PM already problems!

This is my first post. On 2/20/13, I had a Boston Scientific bi-ventricular PM placed for HF and left bundle block.

There were problems within a day of placement. I had symptoms of shortness of breath with chest pain after walking 1/2 block. These symptoms were worse than before the placement.

The PM was adjusted a few days later and my symptoms improved immediately.

I have been walking 30 mins as instructed but my legs hurt terribly like I am exercising too vigorously. I walk slowly because if I walk too fast, I get chest pain. My heart rate seems to lag, staying around 78 even after walking 30 mins.

I intend to call my doctor on Mon but I want an idea of what it might be before going. Obviously some adjustment has to be made.

Can anyone help?

I know very little about the device and that makes me very uncomfortable. Problems have already cropped up with a day of my discharge from the hospital.

The breath of knowledge of some of the members on this forum is impressive. My information about my device was gleaned from my doctor and the manufactures web site. This is not enough for me. I need to understand how it works.

Thank you

7 Comments

Probably

by walkerd - 2013-03-03 07:03:51

needs adjustments to the settings, it took my cardio doc 4 times to get it right. Just make sure you tell your doctor what is going on, it may take a few times to get it set right.

good luck
dave

settings

by Tracey_E - 2013-03-03 08:03:57

It's very common to take a few tries to get the settings fine tuned! We're all different so no one setting works for everyone, and they like to make the changes in small increments.

Good for you for wanting to learn more! Drs do their best, but there's no substitute for being informed, being our own advocate. If you click on the Web Links in the left sidebar, there are some great resources.

Don't give up!

by Many Blessings - 2013-03-03 10:03:02

Hi Maria,

Most of us have been there. I know it's scary right now, but it will get better, I promise! Like Dave & Tracey said above, it takes a few times to get adjusted right. They may have to experiment some with your settings, and it may take a few more times to get things right, but they will get things right.

Don't be surprised or nervous if this happens again down the road when they decide to make some new changes that are "supposed" to work for you and don't. Or, they try to adjust things to save the battery life. That has happened to me. Whenever you don't feel well, let them know so they can adjust it again. Sometimes, they get the settings right within a time or two. Sometimes, it takes a little bit longer.

Hang in there! You're closer than you think to feeling better. Like TraceyE said, they make small adjustments at a time.

Good luck,

You might have PVD

by Rommom - 2013-03-03 11:03:49

If your legs are hurting when walking this might be a sign of peripheral vascular disease. You need to tell your doctor, this could be unrelated to the PM, but might. Be another problem. Best of luck, Bev

Rate Response setting?

by Grateful Heart - 2013-03-03 12:03:22

If your HR is not increasing while walking for 30 min. and your legs hurt or feel heavy you may not have the Rate Response setting turned on. Rate Response senses you are exercising and increases your HR appropriately and then you should have more energy.

Find out what you lower and upper limit rates are set at, for example 60-120. My upper limit was originally 120 then set at 130 and now 150 but I think I need to have mine raised again. I try not to go above 150 while exercising now because it doesn't feel good...heavy legs, tired, out of breath. I use a HR monitor to keep track of it while exercising.

I commend you for wanting to learn more about your device. Knowledge is power and you will become more comfortable with it as time goes on. This is a great site for that. There is soooo much to learn!

Hope this helps a little, let us know how it goes.

Grateful Heart

Follow up and thx

by Maria - 2013-03-05 05:03:48

Thank you everyone! I got an appointment for Fri, the 11th. My PM technician tried to put me off until my scheduled appointed which is 2 weeks from now.

I'm glad I posted or I would not have insisted upon getting in sooner. I am keeping up with walking and keeping track of my heart rate and it never goes above 82 bpm.

I walk only 1/2 hr but I am so exhausted afterwards that I need to rest for an hr before driving home.

This will be the second adjustment.

Keep Trying!

by Many Blessings - 2013-03-05 09:03:53

Don't give up on the setting changes until everything is right. You'll know it's right by the way you feel. If you still aren't feeling well after this next change, let them know as soon as you can. It usually takes a few times to get it right, sometimes even more. Keep on trying!

Good luck!

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