post op symptoms

I had my first duel lead Medtronic pm placed this past Friday for a conginital 3rd degree heart block. I know it's only been two days but I'm still dizzy like I was before the surgury. I am also having some sudden pounding heart beats and I'm exhausted. Everyone told me how amazing I would feel but I don't. I called the on call cardiologist who took 35 minutes to call back and treated me like I was a bother. She said "I can't help you over the phone so go to the ER if you don't feel good". I know I am so early post op and my body is still in shock. Did anyone else feel this way?

6 Comments

healing

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-27 10:04:50

Some come out of surgery feeling like they can take on the world, but the majority need some time to heal first. Your body has been compensating and getting by on less than it needs all your life so it's a shock to the system to have a normal heart rate. You've got drugs in your system from the surgery that your body needs to process, and it takes time to get used to your new, efficient heart beat. Tired is normal for the first few weeks. It's also common to feel our hearts, to be aware of every beat. It could be pounding, or it could be that it's just a lot faster than you're used to. I have CCHB also, my rate went from 30's to 80's and it always felt like it was racing and pounding those first weeks. It wasn't, it was just so different from what I was used to that it felt like it in comparison. Now, I don't even notice it.

Are you on any meds that could make you dizzy? Many pain meds can. If you are not on anything and are still dizzy, I'd follow up with your doc again tomorrow. I don't think it's worth a trip to the ER, but it's common to need the settings adjusted and dizziness with no apparent cause should be checked out.

Thanks Tracey

by 2219kg - 2014-04-27 11:04:07

They gave me 3 percocet while I was in the hospital yesterday and Friday. I have only been taking tylenol today. I was so afraid that my dizziness before surgury was from something other then my heart block so it's causing me to freak out that I'm still dizzy and foggy. Everything else you describe sounds just like how I'm feeling. I think I will call them in the morning.

Thanks
Kelly

Don't worry, things will get better

by Sunnydaze - 2014-04-28 03:04:32

Having a foreign object permanently inserted to your body is daunting, I know, as does everyone else visiting this site. I, too, have a dual lead Medtronic device. For the first few months after it was implanted I had palpitations, and several captured A-Fib episodes, and i swore I could feel, and hear my heart beating all the time. These symptoms eventually went away, I'm convinced they went away when I became comfortable with my new best friend (my PM). Very shortly I will have to have my battery changed out. I'm a little anxious because I have a new doctor because of a recent move....I don't want him "rocking my boat"!! But, I know I will adjust to the new battery just like I did the one I have now.

Take care!!

I met with the pacemaker nurse

by 2219kg - 2014-04-28 09:04:33

He said everything looks good. He did turn on the accelerator but didn't think it would make any difference. This exhaustion is overwelming. I sure hope this gets better and soon. Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement.

Kelly

Hang in there, Kelly

by NiceNiecey - 2014-04-28 12:04:48

I was told the same thing and, unfortunately, it wasn't true in my case either. I felt lousy for nearly 2 months and I, too, continued to feel dizzy periodically throughout the day for around 4 weeks. My cardiologist, whom I like, said it was not caused by the PM and that if it didn't stop, further investigation would be necessary to rule out some other non-cardiac causes.

It eventually disappeared completely. AND I was thoroughly examined, tested, scanned, etc and no other problems were discovered, thank the Lord. Don't ask me why I was still so dizzy; all I know is that it eventually went away.

In addition, I made three extra trips back to the ER to have various symptoms investigated in those first few weeks (in addition to a few visits to the cardiologist's office, too!). I kept thinking, "Why do they always tell me to go to the ER? Can't they just see me in their office and determine whether I'm OK?" The answer is usually NO. They do not typically have the proper equipment in the office needed to evaluate our various symptoms, like ultrasound equipment to check for blood clots. But they DO have the PM interrogation equipment and you should take full advantage of it.

I promise you: IT WILL GET BETTER!!! Just know that you're not alone and some of us do need a bit of extra time to heal. I'm sure you'll begin to notice improvements in just a few short weeks. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Niecey

Reassuring

by Dawnie - 2014-05-01 07:05:55

I had my 1st pacemaker fitted 2 weeks ago and all these comments hit home so hard..guess we are all in the same boat. I think I need lo be more patient! I expected to be back on my feet immediately after the implant but feel I'm trawling through mud! Onwards and upwards though as I discover what is normal and what is just post surgery fatigue. It's good to know others feel the same

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.