I'm full of questions.

I am going in for my first interrogation since the one week check up after my pacemaker was implanted. I am still feeling tired and lethargic at times. My pm is set at 50 low and 185 high. I'm thinking about asking them to turn it up to 60 in hopes that it helps with my symptoms.I have a conginital 3rd degree heart block and I'm pacing 100% of the time. I know everone is different and I will have to find my settings. I just wanted to know what other people are set at and what worked and didn't work for them. As always, thanks for the input.
Kelly

3 Comments

Kelly

by vru1020 - 2014-05-28 11:05:50

When I initially got my pacemaker in Sept of 2012 the doctor had mine set for 60 bpm. This was causing my pacemaker to kick in frequently. My normal heart rate has always been in the mid 50's until it decided one day to start dipping into the 30's. That was no fun!

Anyway to make a long story short, it was changed to kick in only when my heart drops below 50. So I never feel it kick in hardly at all unless it is happening in my sleep and I just don't know about it. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor to change settings. You know what feels normal to you and that is all that matters. And if he/she doesn't want to listen to you then change doctors and find one who will listen to you.

Take care. Hope you get it the way you need it to be soon. Miawaka

Lethargy and settings

by Tick-tock - 2014-05-28 11:05:56

As you stated we are all different and have to find what works for us. When I initially had my pm fitted in sept last year my lower level was set at 60. I had to have new leads and revision in March of this year. Again, my low setting was 60 and my high 120. A couple weeks ago, I had my appointment with the pm clinic followed by my EP appointment. I requested to increase my lower limit to 70 due to fatigue. My doctor agreed to it, and since have noticed a huge change! I don't think I'm quite at my perfect setting yet, but I am happy with my current settings, and have a ton more energy. Unfortunately, these darn pacemakers do not come with a setting which inhibits me from hitting the snooze button 20 times in the morning!

My Settings

by Many Blessings - 2014-05-30 12:05:35

Due to me being in chronic, uncontrolled, high rate Afib since 1987 with no relief from medications, procedures, frequent cardioversions, etc., I had a CRT-P with AV node ablation. I am 100% dependent like others, due to an AV Node ablation. Because my heart was so used to running at such a high rate for so many years, my body actually adjusted to that (although the heart was damaged) I was originally set at 90 with a maximum of 150. After a month I was dropped to 80-150. Another month later, they tried dropping me to 70-150, but I did not feel well at that rate. I was raised back up to 80-150 and feel great, so that is where I will stay.

Like mentioned before, it is different for everyone depending on their situation, underlying problem, cardiac history, etc.

My advice is to have your settings set at whatever makes YOU feel good, not what they think should make you feel good. You know your own body and how you feel. Most of us have experienced how bad a wrong setting can make you feel, and how great a right setting can make you feel. What works for most may not work for you. Keep experimenting until you feel you're at the right place. Then, don't let them touch a thing! LOL!



You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.