Concern for 70bpm pacing?

Other than the faster depletion of the battery, are there any real negatives to having the pacer minimum set at 70? I guess I am wondering about any negative affects on my body understanding that I went from 35 to 59 bpm to a minimum of 70. At my first interrogation my EP mentioned that he might set the minimum back to 60 at the next meeting in four weeks but I am feeling so good at 70 I would like to stay there if there are no significant issues. The tremendous side effect of this pacing is that I went from 14 to 16 cups of coffee per day to 2 to 3 cups and I attribute that to being paced properly. I do not need that outside stimulation now.

As always, thanks for your insights.

9 Comments

No Worries

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-14 02:12:19

I'm at 70 bpm. My was originally set at 60 bpm....5 years ago. My natural used to be 57 bpm but I didn't feel right at 60. I still felt like I was struggling to breathe.

If 70 feels good, it may be what your body needs now. Glad you were able to cut back on all that caffeine.

Don't worry about battery depletion. It's going to deplete anyway so why not feel better. Your body was deprived for so long.

My battery still has 5 years according to the reports so that would make a total of 10 years for me....and I am paced 100%. I know it will change as time goes on and probably won't make 10 but it sounds good for now.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy your new heart rate!

Grateful Heart

coffee

by judyblue - 2013-12-14 02:12:37

How wonderful you cut back so much on coffee! I love coffee, but it is a powerful drug to be used in moderation. 16 cups is not moderation. I am not certain of the 70bpm, I am at 60, so I am eager to see others' posts. But if you are feeling good, I hope they keep it there.
judy

Coffee

by rfassett - 2013-12-14 02:12:58

Thanks Judy.

For years I made a joke that if and when a doctor would tell me that I needed to give up coffee, I would leave the doctors office, stop by my house and grab a shovel and head to the cemetery and start digging my hole because I was convinced that my ticker would just keep slowing down until it stopped. I have drank that much coffee for 40 or more years not realizing until now that it really was just keeping me going.

Caffeine withdrawal

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-14 03:12:55

You'll be going through caffeine withdrawal. Don't know if it has anything to do with being a heart patient or not but I used to be a big coffee drinker too. Same for my Grandfather. Anyway...

You'll be going through caffeine withdrawal and may need some additional help medically. Perhaps a discussion with your cardiologist? In addition to the headaches, there may be other physiological changes too. Some could be dangerous in your medical condition.

I didn't have overt signs of heart trouble when I went through getting off caffeine. I will tell you getting off drugs that end in "ine" is VERY hard. It took me over two years to be able to walk away from a cup of coffee. Then another five years before I could finally stop trying to suck the coffee through my nose because it smelled so good. So you have a hard road ahead of you.

I will tell you getting off coffee and caffeine completely really makes you feel better even though the withdrawal part is hard. Hope this helps.

Theknotguy

Withdrawl

by rfassett - 2013-12-14 05:12:05

I know all about the withdrawal symptoms. Even to the point where two of my cups back to back a few years ago were de-caffeine unknowingly to me and by the end of the second one I was having those very withdrawal symptoms. But I am here to tell you, with this pacer set at 70 and the two or three cups per day I am getting I am neither craving caffeine nor feeling any withdrawal symptoms. Coincidental? Not in my book. I think the 70 bpm are keeping my whole body proper oxygenated and taking care of any of the withdrawal symptoms. Two months ago I would never have believed that.

Implant at 60 bpm

by EV1 - 2013-12-14 06:12:00

Two weeks ago my 1st implant was set at 60 bpm. I am feeling good, energy and outlet excellent.

Yes I too like coffee, but have been on decaff for quite a while, as I also have the rapid beats and take meds for it.

Everyone is different, no one knows how you FEEL other than you. But be careful the data from the medical equipment is a pretty good indicator, providing the doctor information to make decisions on helping to to continue feeling better.

Just watch it if they change your rate to 60 and you feel poorly, speak with the doctor provide him with information. He is there for you, it certainly isn't for the money or ease of work. Trust your doctor, If you instinct tells you he is wrong, go to a different doctor to confirm or correct the situation. Remember we only get to go around 1 time.

am-pm

by pace-man - 2013-12-15 01:12:27

I had a pace-maker fitted about 8 weeks ago now, the technician from the pacemaker manufacturer came to my bed in hospital the next day and gave me a tune up , he said that he has set my pacemaker at 70bpm for daytime and 60 bpm for night time, seems to work ok. I wonder how that will work out when I travel next year into different time zones and my sleep times are reversed ?

coffee...

by lubro - 2013-12-15 09:12:10

I can't even imagine drinking 16 cups of coffee...
Moderation is the main thing with anything you ingest.
I've had my PM for 11 months now. I quit coffee at the beginning, but started again at around 4 months... I was never a heavy coffee drinker...usually 2 cups in the morning... So far, I have not had any adverse effects... Still love my mornin coffee...
Glad to hear that you are no longer drinking sooooo much coffee...
Go ahead and enjoy those 2 or 3 cups... :)

Coffee

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-15 10:12:03

Gotta have my 2 cups too. One of the few vices left.

Hey Lubro.....I'm following you again!

Welcome back,

Grateful Heart

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