Another Newbie

Hi everyone,

Another newbie here (43 yrs old) and I am so glad to have found all of you! I've been on the site and reading posts for the last week and realize I have a lot to learn because up until just over 2 weeks ago I didn't know anything about PM's or anyone that had one. Everything happened so fast, I went from being completely fit and active (runner and healthy nutritional follower) to having my PM implant on Oct. 1st. September 26th my heart went crazy and I went to the ER. I had a lot of attention in the ER because my pulse was 37 (which was normal for me so I was shocked that they had the paddles out and ready for use). They diagnosed me with Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia and did ablation. I was released to go home on September 27th and while my heart seemed back to normal I was dizzy, lightheaded, and nauseous. I went back to the ER on October 1st because I felt like I was going to pass out. My pulse had dropped to a steady 30 and that's when they said a PM was my best option. I now have a dual chamber Biotronik PM. The only indication something might be wrong prior to my ER trips were 1 fainting episode in July (after EKG, Echocardiogram, and Holter Monitor no reason was found other than my low pulse so I was referred to a Cardiologist that it took 8 weeks to get an appointment) and I was being treated for severely low potassium level (2.1) caught during bloodwork in mid-September at my first Cardiologist appointment. I read the Tough Love For Newbie post (thanks for that) and am trying to learn everything I can so I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions. Thanks in advance, I am so very grateful for this site!

7 Comments

Low Potassium - WOW!

by donr - 2013-10-15 09:10:31

Morning there, Newbie.

Thanks for reading my post on tough love. I wrote it just for you!

"K" chemical symbol for Potassium; "Cl" for Chlorine.

Honestly, though, I'm really concerned about the low K. I am low enough for Rx KCl pills, but that's up around 3.5 & similar. My Cardio has a cow when I get that low. His goal is to keep me at 4,0 or above. 2.1 is a new one & that alone can cause serious arrhythmias. (Tachycardia like you suffered is one of them, I believe.) I once got down to 3.0, when I was in the hosp for some sort of idiopathic infection & they gave me IV KCl.

If you are low all the time, which it seems you are, I'd really get to my PCP & keep that under control. A PM cannot make up for low K . The PM is like a gas pedal, it can speed you up, but NOT slow you down. It is not even close to being a brake pedal!

You have a lot to learn, & this is the place to learn it! We are open 24/7/365 & it does NOT take 8 weeks to get an answer!

There are so many parameters in your PM that are adjustable that it can make your head swim. Sometimes it takes a little (or perhaps a lot) of tweaking to find the right combo for you.

Your lack of knowledge will stress you out because you do not understand everything that is happening to you & why. Do not expect a lot of answers from the CArdio community - they just do not have the time for long winded discussions w/ people who are cardiac issues illiterate. Also, a lot of people just cannot or do not WANT to know what is happening. They live in a land of ignorance being bliss. Sounds like you want to know & understand.

Well, you've come to the right place. Time to start asking specific questions.

You can start by completing the profile data. Especially the Meds part. Are you on anything besides KCl? If you are, pls tell us the real names - not just "...a whole bunch of meds..." The formulary list of cardiac meds is as long as a NBA basketball player's two arms stretched out!

Nice to meet you.

Don

Thank you

by valley01 - 2013-10-15 10:10:54

I will add my meds to my bio and request an interrogation report at my next Cardio appt 10/22. Thank you both so much!

Where is profile data?

by valley01 - 2013-10-15 11:10:38

Where do I enter my profile data? Is it somewhere different than manage account? The only meds I was on before PM was for high blood pressure - Norvasc 5mg and Cozaar 50mg (Losartan) and a birth control. The potassium prescription was just a one-time dosage (that turned into 3 times), not a regular daily medication.

I have also been referred to an Endocrinologist due to my aldersterone level being out and my thyroid creeping upwards (I believe it is 6.3 now - up from 5.1 last year and 4.3 the year before). The soonest I can get in to see someone there is 1/8/14, and that was only due to a cancellation. My Primary Care doctor no longer seems interested in making decisions on my healthcare, only referring me out. My blood pressure has been fairly high since the ablation 159/114. The Cardiologist says my PC doctor needs figure it out. My PC doctor says he is just going to leave me on the same meds and dosage that the Cardiologist released me from the hospital on. I am currently looking to switch PC doctors.

And you are right, my lack of knowledge about all of this has been stressful so I am reading everything I possibly can trying to learn.

Welcome

by KAG - 2013-10-15 12:10:37

As Don said you've come to the right place for help in understanding. The profile info is in the Member profile under Manage account. You've filled in a lot of info but I didn't see any ref to meds you're taking now. I think that's what Don was referring to.

I'm 58 and got my PM in June so feel like I'm an "old timer" now. I agree that for me lack of knowledge was very stressful and I found it very useful was getting to know about my condition (total AV Block) and PM modes and settings. It sounds like you need to know too. A great place to start is to get a copy of your PM interrogation report. It will have loads of info on your PM ,modes and settings. Just let us know what those are and ask your questions.

Kathy

Donr is so right!

by ohiolaura - 2013-10-16 08:10:20

Welcome valley01!

I was in about your shoes not long ago too,last July to be exact,when I was 49.
Let me say,Don is right,this is the place to be,Don,as well as others have helped educate me in this new life that I cant even tell you how helpful they've been.
All I thought (knew) was that pacemakers were for old people,sorry everyone,but that's what I thought,and I wasn't old,not really or so I thought..........
My issues arose suddenly also,much like yours,feeling off,low potassium,after working out,having PVC's,being monitored,sent home,see a Dr,same as you.
Waiting for Cardio apt ( which I didn't make it),ended up in RE before the Dr apt came,next thing,in big hospital,tests,whole 9 yards.
Then the big news.
Huh? Once again,Im not OLD! Doesn't matter,as you and I both know.
This is a lot to handle for most,including me,which I am pretty hardy,but this knocked me on my rump.
Being here has made all the difference,knowing I am so not alone,or too young,or old,and did nothing wrong or anything that I could have avoided.
Just happens,which isn't right,but it did.
You stay here,read,ask and get whatever help you need,and let me tell you that not only is Don very knowledgeable,he puts things in perspective,and has quite the sense of humor,for a southern man!
Welcome,and feel free to send a message if youd like!
Laura

Thanks Laura!

by valley01 - 2013-10-16 10:10:08

Two things have struck me most about this club. 1) The amount of young people and people that are on their 3rd or 4th device and 2) the amount of good knowledge that is so readily shared. I'm still feeling overwhelmed by everything I don't know about PM's and cardio issues but mentally I already feel more secure in having a PM that is reliable and the fact that I'm probably not going to die tomorrow even though I still feel some funky heartbeats now and then and I might even be one of the knowledgeable people here many years from now on my 4th PM. Now I just need to get recovered so I can get back on with my normal living.

Valley Girl - Welcome to the club...

by donr - 2013-10-17 08:10:07

..at last. Sounds like you have found a home here. None of us here are OLD! At least not in attitude - & that's what really counts. I love a quote by Napoleon - "In battle, the mental is to the physical as three is to one." Now I may have butchered it a bit from memory, but it is an accurate reflection of what he really said.

That quote also applies to things medical - especially when it comes to issues of the heart!

I will hold up Mz Laura from Ohio as a prime example. She started out as a bowl of a quivery, fruit-flavored dessert once hawked by one Lucille Ball - J.E.L.L.OOOOOOOOOO! Now read what she says - a steel-spined font of wisdom! All in a bit more than a year.

Knowledge is POWER.

You mentioned an occasional funky beat you sense. Laura mentioned PVC's (NOT a referral to a plastic plumbing pipe). She was referring to Premature Ventricular Contractions. A very common and some times disturbing heart beat arrhythmia that cannot be stopped by your PM. They are benign. If you get a lot of them, or they disturb you - fire me a question & I will explain all.

Go for that recovery & search for a new normalcy in living. That's what the PM is for!

Don

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

Member Quotes

This is my second Christmas with my pacemaker and I am so happy to be with my family.