What is wrong?

Had a triple lead Bitronik pacer implanted 1/28/13 - Everything seemed fine until my first pacer check on 3/12/13... Whatever the tech did knocked me out cold... she said that I was super-sensitive, etc etc no problem. The following Friday I almost passed out in the supermarket - Sat. at work I was lightheaded, nauseous, finger tingling ... All of the symptoms I had with my atrial fib. ... My doctor was out sick and N.P. who saw me said that the settings had been changed (no one told me) to save the battery. Does any of this sound right? The N.P. spoke to an on duty cardiologist who said that the lead to my atrium should be disconnected which they did. I now feel like HELL and the great hope I had after surgery is gone. 8 years on and off with AFib, numerous cardio versions and medicine changes. Now back to my symptomatic life with a piece of metal implanted in my chest. Am open to any and all advice... Thank you

3 Comments

changes

by Tracey_E - 2013-03-24 01:03:16

It's normal to adjust the settings at 6-8 weeks to conserve battery power. They start it out high until the leads settle in and the heart gets used to pacing, then they try to cut back. Go back. Any time they make changes that affect you for the worse, let them know and go back. No two of us are alike, so a lot of it is just educated guesses. We dont know for sure how we'll do with a change in settings until they send us home to try it out.

Keep Trying!

by Many Blessings - 2013-03-24 11:03:03

Hi Mame,

Please don't give up hope! Sometimes, it takes several tries to get your settings right for you. It just takes some trial and error, and until things get set right, you may feel like hell. Most of us have been there at one time or another.

I've had several bad setting changes, but SO many more good ones! So please trust me, you're going to feel so much better if it is your settings (which it sounds like it is, since you felt good until they messed with things.)

Contact your cardiologist, pacer rep, or whoever can get you in the fastest so they can change things for the better.

Just to give you some ideas, I have the most problems when my rate response settings are wrong. I've gone from feeling absolutely wonderful, to feeling like total #%#$ with one or two wrong settings. They also tried to change my low rate down to 70 which did not work for me at all! I'm set at 80-150, which works for me. You'll have to see what works best for you, but they will find it, I promise you! Just remember, they can always change things back, so don't worry or think it can't be fixed.

Stay positive! I just know you are going to get many more comments letting you know things will get better. I know it sucks when you think it's going to stay this way forever, but I promise you, they'll get it changed back so you'll feel better in no time.

They always keep a record of what changes they made each time you go in for a PM check. They will be able to change things back to where you were before if that's where you want to be. You can always ask for a printout of your PM check so if you ever need it, you'll have it.

Good luck!



settings

by TinaH - 2013-03-25 06:03:50

I have had 2 bad settings but now I think I have the right one. I am paced 100% on the top and only on the bottom if needed. My pacer is set from 80 to 130. I have to go for a download tomorrow and I am asking them not to change anything as I am starting to feel better. Hang in there and they will figure out. My biggest thing is to feel comfortable and make sure you are able to communicate with your doctors. I hope your feeling better and they figure your settings out soon.

Tina

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