Still feeling dizzy

Hi there, I am so impressed with this forum and very grateful for all the information I have already gathered. I haven't managed to get firm info about my continuing dizziness though. I had my metronic dual lead rate responsive pm just over three weeks ago and have healed very well and am very happy with it. However, I have been feeling muzzy headed and a little off balance since having it fitted for brachycardia and arrhythmia. It is currently set at 60 with a high of 150 as I am a runner. I am wondering if the increase in oxygen to my brain and body, being used to a resting heart rate of between 30 and 40, could be the cause. It is improving slowly and I may just be impatient, or it may be that my lower setting is too high for me. I don't see the techies for another 3 weeks for my first visit. I would be very grateful to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience or any knowlege about this.

Thanks

6 Comments

Start w/ the simplest...

by donr - 2013-09-20 01:09:04

...explanation first!!!!!

For you that is the lower rate of 60. Get to the technoweenies , twist their arms & get set somewhere near what you were used to, pre-bradycardia.

Which brings me to an interesting question - if your resting rate was 30-40, what the Sam Hill was it w/ Brady?????? I don't think many people will believe that you were a 30 as a resting rate. This will be a struggle.

They set me at 80 when I got mine & I was a normal 72. Just that small difference affected me & when I got them to drop the lower limit to 75 it made a big difference w/I 15 minutes.

Don

Do you have any heart block?

by PacerRep - 2013-09-20 02:09:56

Those Medtronic boys loooooove to use their MVP algorithm which allows pauses. If you have any AVB this algorithm needs to be shut off.

Tell us a little more about your dizzyness and what you are doing when you feel the symptoms. A resting HR of 30-40 is no really a resting HR ..its bradycardia. Just FYI. Even for athletes.

All shall love you and despair...

by ebfox - 2013-09-20 03:09:16

Based on your name, you know what I mean. My favorite books of all time.

Galadriel, I was runner too and when I got mine (due to cardiac surgery) they set me on 50, which was pretty close to my resting rate prior to surgery. After a couple of days I was so mentally fuzzy that I couldn't work a basic Sudoku puzzle (something I do all the time). I called up and went in and they raised my minimum to 60, which made all the difference in the world.

So, you need to go in and adjust. Try dropping it to 50 and give it a couple of days. They are not going to want to go much lower than that, even if you are in marathon shape.

Hope this helps.

E. B.

dizzy

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-20 09:09:14

I had some dizziness after, my settings needed adjusted. Are you on any meds? Lots of heart meds cause dizziness until you get used to them. Also, are you staying hydrated and eating regular meals?

Hang In There

by Many Blessings - 2013-09-20 09:09:27

Hi Galadriel,

First of all, always contact your doctor to let them know how you're feeling, or any concerns you have. Most likely, it's something easy to fix, and normal for having a new PM, but just in case, it's good to check with your doc.

There could be various reasons you are feeling this way, and it may take some more time to feel better. You will get many different answers to your questions, so read and take every one of them into consideration, to figure out what is going on with you.

For me, it took some time to get used to things. I had a CRT-P with AV Node ablation, and some other actual heart surgery done at the same time. No matter what, it takes some time to feel better after your procedure or surgery. There is the stress to your body and heart from the procedure itself, having to get used to the new PM, possible side effects to the medication and anesthesia that was given during your procedure, in the hospital, and for you to take home with you. All of that can cause some nasty side effects.

There are also PM settings that may need to be changed. When the PM is first put in, it's usually either set at default settings, or what they think is best for you (that's what my EP doc told me).

I was set at 90-150 at first (my problem was a very high rate 24/7 chronic A-fib, so they set it high so my body wouldn't go into shock). They lowered it to 80-150, then to 70-150. I felt crappy, so they moved it back up to 80-150 where it has stayed ever since. There are many other settings too. Others will explain these better than I can.

In my own experience, one big issue for me was my rate response setting. Mine was reset after my first PM check (about 3-4 weeks after implant). I'm super active, but when they changed it to the setting used for active people, I felt horrible. I couldn't even make it up a flight of stairs. Actually, I couldn't even make it across the room. What was supposed to be the right setting for me, didn't work at all. This is the case for a lot of others out here too. It may be what they need to change on you too, but you may just have to experiment with a few settings back and forth, until you get it right.

You found an awesome site here, so stay positive. You'll feel better soon!

Good luck!

Thank you

by Galadriel - 2013-09-20 11:09:31

Thank you for your responses. I am not on any meds and I did email my cardiologist who said everyone varies with their symptoms but it is not one he is familiar with and suggested I give it time. It is definitely better than it was a week ago so may just be adjusting.

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