Diaphragm throbbing

Does anyone have my problem with pacemaker and if so what can be done about it.
My chest throbs everyday for about 10 minutes, with quite noticeable thumps ( no pain) it's liken an alien trying to get out. I
I have told the doctors and nurses but it never happens when they are around.
Yesterday I managed to film it on my phone and am going to show the medical staff I am not imagining it.
I am going for a checkup next Wednesday and will let you know the result.
But would feel better someone else has the same problem and had it sorted.

7 Comments

me too

by alicia6650 - 2013-08-09 05:08:15

I had that issue as well- my LV lead majorly pulled out of place. Usually it can be tended to by changing the programming on your device.

I had to have the lead revision as well, but my doctor told me that that was not generally the case.

My docs explained that the reason that happens is because when the device senses the lead has moved, it sends out a stronger impulse, which in turn (if the lead is in the wrong place) stimulates other things! It's a very odd feeling...when mine was happening, my sister felt it and said it was like a baby kicking!!!

Best of luck, and I am hopeful they can simply adjust your settings. =)

Alicia

Me Three!

by Many Blessings - 2013-08-09 08:08:54

I too, had that issue. Luckily, it was a quick easy fix for me, and fixed right before I left the hospital. Let your EP or Cardio doc know so they can check to see if a quick setting change will help you out as it did for me. They told me it's a common occurrence and "usually" (but, not always) easy to fix.

Good luck!

Throbbing

by golden_snitch - 2013-08-09 11:08:21

Hi!

Sounds like your pacemaker is stimulating your diaphragm. Why only 10 minutes every day? Either your pacemaker in general kicks in only for 10 minutes every day or it happens only when you take certain postures or it could also be that the diaphragm is only stimulated when your ventricular pacer lead works (that happened in my case). The solution usually is to reduce the pacemaker's amplitude = the strength of the electrical impulse with which it stimulates your heart and/or the pulse width = the length of the impulse (miliseconds). In some cases that doesn't help, because one of the pacemaker leads is located too close to the phrenic nerve that goes down to the diaphragm. In that case, one would have to do a lead revision. But, as I said before, in most cases it helps to reduce the amplitude.

Did your doctors ever try to re-produce the throbbing? If it is the pacer stimulating your diaphragm, they could have made both pacemaker leads stimulate and see what happens or they could have increased the amplitude a little more and maybe that would have caused throbbing.

Anyways, now that you managed to film it - what would we do without smartphones *lol* -, I'm sure your doctors will know what to do about it.

Good luck!
Inga

That was my case

by Grateful Heart - 2013-08-09 12:08:02

I needed the lead revision. When they increased the amplitude, it caused my diaphragm to throb even stronger. Decreasing it didn't work for me, but there is a good chance that an adjustment will work for you. I don't under only about 10 minutes a day either. Maybe it's in a test mode then?

It's good you have it on your phone now to show the Doc. I took some photos of another problem I had with my scar.

That didn't go well for me, but fear not....I seem to fall under "Murphy's Law".....or maybe "The luck of the Irish".

One of those....you get the idea!

Grateful Heart

Me Four!

by Minnesota - 2013-08-10 05:08:08

I have same diaphragm stimulation from the impulse which is set high at initial placement. (Same sensation as the others who posted). When I have my PM tune up next month they will turn down the volume. Mine occurs positionally.

Me Five!

by pmgirl - 2013-08-10 09:08:20

I have diaphragm stimulation, it usually only happens when I'm leaning to my right side on the couch or sometimes when I'm lying on the right side.

Checkup

by Ena - 2013-08-25 10:08:15

Went for checkup and was told to live with it. They reproduced the throbbing and said it is Not a problem.
Will see if still throbbing at next checkup in 6 mths time
My pacemaker is 3yrs old.
Thanks for your advice I am trying out the different suggestions.
Cheers
Ena

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.