Advise post Op - things going wrong??

Hi. I had my Op a week ago and healing well except when I stand up and walk it feels like I'm walking against a brick wall. My heart feels very laboured and I'm out of breath. Went for 3 miles yesterday and feel seriously unwell today. All along the walk I felt laboured.

Problem is my next appointment is 2 months off. I have spoken to my GP and he will write to the cardiologist.I tried to see the cardiologist and managed to see the technician. he made me aware of various settings and we agreed to turn off the rate response. That has made no impact on the problem.

Anyone else experienced this? Is it something that will pass? I am meant to be back at work tomorrow and everyone agrees 1 week should suffice. However, i don't feel right.

Thanks, David

6 Comments

SSS

by Grateful Heart - 2013-06-20 01:06:26

David, if you have SSS you most likely need the Rate Response ON. It may just need an adjustment or two. You are hitting the brick wall because your HR isn't increasing enough upon exercise because RR is turned off.

It has only been 1 week so you may find you need additional adjustments down the road when the swelling goes down and your PM settles in some. Periodic adjustments are common for us if we are fairly or very active.

I wouldn't wait for 2 months, these adjustments are easy to do and you don't want to feel this way for 2 more months.

You may also want to try a HR monitor while exercising.

Let us know how it goes,

Grateful Heart

more info

by davidjb - 2013-06-20 07:06:58

Forgot to mention it's a pacemaker and dual chamber type. Medtronic. I am 54.

healing

by Tracey_E - 2013-06-20 09:06:30

Some people are ready to go back to work in a week, many need longer.

Why did you get the pm? Are you on any meds? Did you count your pulse when you were walking and didn't feel well?

Thanks, TraceyE

by davidjb - 2013-06-20 11:06:33

I have sick sinus syndrome and I am not on meds. I tried counting pulse. I am usually very good at that but whilst walking I just couldn't find my pulse.

everyone is different!

by robo-ver - 2013-06-21 06:06:44

I have been told not to go back to work until after my four week post-op check. I don't know whether this is because of the job I do, but when I spoke to the pacemaker clinic it seemed like their general advice. There is no way I could have gone back to work after a week, everyone is different, but if you don't feel right, I'd phone the clinic for reassurance/check up and take a few more days for healing, v

settings

by Tracey_E - 2013-06-21 12:06:28

If you have SSS, you are likely depending on the pm to sense movement and raise your rate for you when you exert. That's called rate response. It comes with quite a few sensitivity settings and it can take a few tries to get it tweaked. Call and ask them to check it out, definitely before you go back to work.

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