First pacemaker questions :)

• by crossettae
• 2013-11-27 12:11:53
• General Posting
• 981 views
• 3 comments

I am going to give you guys some of my background for my question. I had a Medtronics pacemaker implanted august of this year. This is my first device and I am 25 years old. I was diagnosed when I was 18 with SVT and bradycardia (tachy-brady) I had an ablation a few weeks later when I was 19 and it failed, I went into a-fib. I had two cardioversions and was put on medication. I also had a positive tilt table then and was diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension. Over the course of the years I have been treated with multiple medications and was still have many symptoms. This past summer my black outs started to get worse. I passed out a few times and ended up at one hospital, the EP there said that I was too young for a pacemaker and discharged me. Then on august 1st, I was behind the wheel of my car when I passed out and crashed my car (no one was hurt, crashed into a ditch). My heart rate was only 20 to 30 and would not come up with activity. I ended up having a pause and passing out in the bathroom and on august 6th I had my first pacemaker implanted for junctional bradycardia. At this time I was officially diagnosed with neuro cardiogentic syncope. I had an unreadable blood pressure when I stand up. The current medications that I have to take include, Nadolol (for SVT control), Sodium bicarb (retain fluid), Florneif (fluid again), and Midodrine (maintain an elevated blood pressure upon position changes) Paxil (for the SSRI effect). Plus a few unrelated medications. Well that is my story, I felt you needed a little background for my questions.

My first question is, How long did your site bother you? Mine seems to be itching all the time and I have sharp pains in it often.

Second, more recently in the evening my blood pressure seems to be spiking, I will starting to feel multiple palpations and my chest starts to get red and blachy. When I check my blood pressure it is really high, along with my heart rate. I have a demand pacer but am pretty much 100% paced, unless I go into SVT then I will override it. This only seems to be happening at night time (8pm-9pm) and even if I don't take my later dose of midodrine.

Third, any of you out there have NCS and found any tricks to help with the dizzy spells. They said I have a really severe case and I do everything that they tell me. Move slowly, drink lots of water, and do tilt training...But I feel like I am having too many spells.

Lastly, my activity tolerance level still seems to be pretty low. I have the rate response on my pacemaker and it is set to increase with activity. But I still seem to get tired really quickly and short of breath often. I was wondering if it is just because my body is getting used to all of this or if it is a bigger issue.

Thank you all for your time and support, means the world to me!!
Ashley