Dizziness

I'm sure this is normal, but I'm a newbie and started back to some mild exercises this week and have noticed some generalize dizziness. My PM was placed due to asytole and it's set at 50 for my low number and 180 for my top range! I'm sure it's normal I am only 2.5 weeks out but today I just feel off and tired and sore! I would greatly appreciate any information. I have been off my beta blocker since the PM implant and I am scheduled to go back in for a follow up on 6/19! Thank you!!

6 Comments

Welcome!

by Many Blessings - 2013-05-29 09:05:30

Hi,

Being this early in the game, most of the time it's normal to feel a little dizzy, out of sorts, and just plain weird until things settle down some or you get in and have your PM settings looked at, and possibly changed.

That's something that really isn't mentioned to most of us prior to having our procedure done, which to me, doesn't seem quite right

Congratulations on getting out there and gradually getting back to normal. That's great. For the first few weeks, it's pretty normal to feel the symptoms you're describing. Sometimes, you just need a little more time for your body to heal, and other times, the settings on your PM may need to be changed.

The setting that seems to be the problem most often in these cases, is the rate response. You can do a search for that on this site and you'll have all the information you'll ever need on they how's, why's, and when's. This site is awesome! For me, when they set my rate response for an active person, I felt like crap. When they set it back to where it should be for an inactive person, I felt great, even though I'm super hyper and active!

Mine is set between 80-150. They started me at 90-150, lowered it to 80-150 a month later, and then tried 70-150. I felt absolutely horrible at 70. They set it back up to 80-150 and I feel great again. It's kind of a guessing game until they get you set to where you'll feel good.

Call your doctor and let them know what's going on and how you're feeling. They may want to get you in to check and/or change your settings. If they do and you feel worse, they can change them back or try another setting until you feel good. Trust me, a bad setting can make you feel just horrible. When they change it to a good setting, you'll feel great in no time!

Depending on your underlying heart issues, what type of device you have, what percentage you're pacing at, if your 100% dependent, etc., it may take your body a little longer to get used to things. But, you will! I promise!

Hang in there! I know others here will give you some good advice too, and make you feel a lot better about things.

Take care!

Still Let Your Doctor Know

by Many Blessings - 2013-05-30 07:05:22

Make sure to still let your doctor know so they can check things out, especially settings wise. It may just take a tweak here or there to fix you up so you'll feel good all of the time.

Again, it could be your body still healing, but it still could be a setting issue, or your rate not being set at the right number.

If you aren't comfortable with how things are going, I'd call to see if you can get in earlier than your June 19th appointment. My cardio doc wouldn't make any PM changes for about a month or so, just to give my body & heart time to settle down and adjust to the new way things were being run (PM wise). Yours may want to do the same, but it's worth asking if you really aren't comfortable.

Good luck & keep us informed on how things go with your appointment! Remember to start writing a list of things that concern you, or questions you have so when your appointment comes, you'll be ready to go with your list in hand. Post new questions here any time. There are a lot of us out here who love to help!

It takes time.

by Tony G - 2013-05-30 08:05:53

Hi. I went through the same worries. Check your blood pressure after you exercise and let your Dr. know. I am going to do some cardiac rehab next week. Mainly so that I can get some reassurance that I am not over doing it. I am feeling better every day. But like MB says, It's a guessing game.

Last night

by trnugen - 2013-05-30 09:05:35

My PM went off twice while sleeping last night. I was extremely dizzy all night to the point I just stayed upright it seemed easier! fortunately I'm a nurse and work where I can easily take my bp or an EKG! Thank you so much for your advice. This group is awesome!

re: Welcome

by fastbabe2 - 2013-06-01 06:06:55

ammy,

What you stated about feeling horrible when they
lowered your settings to 70/150 from 80/150 is exactly what they did to me, and I've been complaining how tired out I feel all the time but they won't change back. For 10 months I've gone into PM tech trying to tell them how tired I feel and no energy but they just smile and say it's good where it's at. I'm 59 yrs old and
paced 100% of the time in my lower champer due to complete heart block after aortic valve replacement(birth defect) on 03/08/13. Had St Judes PM inserted on 03/12/12 and was set at 80/150 until August. How do I get them to adjust settings?? Should I go to another EP and get a second opinion, it's so frustrating. I was always such an active person and now have no energy like I use to. I have no heart disease and not on any heart meds so I see no reason why they won't put my settings back.
Very frustrated,
Micki

Keep Asking!

by Many Blessings - 2013-06-02 01:06:44

Hi Micki,

I would keep at them until they do it. However you can get them to change it back, do it. Beg, demand, complain until they listen. It won't hurt them to try to change it back. If it doesn't work, they can change it back. If it works, they can keep it there.

Did they say why they want it to stay there, when you're sure that's why you don't feel well? It might be to save on battery life, but if you don't feel well like that, it's not worth it. You need to feel good. I'm telling you, it made a huge difference when they changed mine back.

Did they make ANY other setting changes when they lowered your rate? Find out. They did with me. They also changed the Rate Response setting at that time for a more active person. That didn't work either, even though I'm super hyper and active. I needed BOTH the rate response & the rate changed back to where they were. If they made any other changes at that same time, ask for all of them to be changed back. Tell them you felt better where they were set before.

Meet with your doctor if he is the one that gives the orders to your PM tech and let them know what's going on. Tell them you REALLY want the settings changed back because you feel like crap. Let them know if they change them and you still don't feel good, they can change them back, but ask, beg, demand them to give it a try. Tell them you WILL go to another EP doctor if you have to. And, do it. They need to listen to you. You know how you feel.

I'm like you. My heart issues started as a birth defect (I have a mechanical mitral valve). The rest of my problems came later. We know our bodies. Heart stuff isn't new to us (I'm 52). They need to listen to you.

I'm lucky because my doctor & PM tech let me make the decision. They give me advice on what might work, but the decision is left to me. I think that's the way it supposed to be, to tell you the truth. It should be your decision.

Call your doctor on Monday & schedule a consultation to discuss what your feelings are on this and what you want to try. Again, if they won't listen, tell them you'll seek out a second opinion, and possibly a new EP doc who will listen to you. I bet they listen to you then.

Good luck, and keep me informed! Feel free to private message me if you want.

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