pacemaker

I am still having symptoms of vasavagal syncope after two weeks of having a pacemaker put in. Is this normal?

6 Comments

Don't give up

by susieque - 2013-08-30 10:08:15

I felt much better after having my pacemaker implanted but then 6 months later I started having the same vasogagal symptoms as before. I went back to the cardiologist and he said my pacemaker was fine. Six months later and still not feeling well I called the pacemaker clinic and they said it needed re-adjusted and I went in and they changed the settings. I felt much better after that. So it's very possible that it isn't adjusted properly. Whatever you do don't give up.

sometimes

by Tracey_E - 2013-08-30 10:08:36

Sometimes the settings need adjusted. Sometimes the syncope is caused by a combination of heart pauses and drops in bp. The pm can only help with the heart pauses. Call and ask to be seen again, make sure nothing else is going on. Are you staying hydrated? I find I sleep a lot after surgery, will get to the end of the day and realize I didn't have much to eat or drink.

VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE TREATMENT

by SMITTY - 2013-08-30 12:08:47

Hello,

If your pacemaker with its current settings were going to help, I think you would have seen it by now. Take a look below at what Mayo Clinic has to say about vasovagal syncope. Based on this article its like Tracey said, you may need more help from your doctor.

VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE TREATMENT AND DRUGS
By Mayo Clinic staff

In most cases of vasovagal syncope, treatment is unnecessary. Your doctor may help you identify your fainting triggers and discuss ways you might avoid them. However, if you experience vasovagal syncope often enough to interfere with your quality of life, your doctor may suggest trying one or more of the following remedies.

Medications: A drug called midodrine (Orvaten) that's normally used to treat low blood pressure may be helpful in preventing vasovagal syncope.

Therapies: Your doctor may recommend specific techniques to decrease the pooling of blood in your legs. These may include foot exercises, wearing compression stockings or tensing your leg muscles when standing, and increasing salt in your diet if you don't usually have high blood pressure. Avoid prolonged standing — especially in hot, crowded places — and drink plenty of fluids.

Surgery: RARELY, the insertion of an electrical pacemaker, which helps regulate the heartbeat, may be an option for some people with vasovagal syncope who haven't been helped by other treatments.

Even with treatment, not all vasovagal syncope episodes can be avoided. If you feel like you might faint, lie down and lift your legs. This allows gravity to keep blood flowing to your brain. If you can't lie down, sit down and put your head between your knees until you feel better.

support

by kschirlls - 2013-08-31 09:08:34

Thanks everyone.Having a support group like this helps a lot.

oneeyepug

by kschirlls - 2013-08-31 10:08:54

That sounds very familiar. Dr. put me on midodrine and lisinapril.So far not feeling well. Afraid to go back to work since I work on ladders. Any idea what causes this condition?

lyHigh heart rate

by kschirlls - 2013-09-02 06:09:38

Hi everybody,
Still not feeling well since the pacermaker was put in two and a half weeks ago. Pacemaker was for vasovagel syncope. Been taking modidrine and lisinapril. Been checking my bp regularly. Consistently around 110/70 but my heart rate is 95 to 146 with no activity. Does this seem high to anyone else?

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