Need Reassurance

I am suffering from sick sinus syndrome, dysautonomia, mitral valve prolapse with leak, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, suprventicular tachycardia, Long QT (not sure if this is heredity or medicine related), and bigeminy at times.
(The paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and sick sinus syndrome were diagnosed within the past two years.) I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse 35 years ago, and the dysautonomia 21 years ago.

Because my pulse is now low at times, and high at other times, a dual chamber pacemaker has been suggested. I am scheduled to have the surgery this week. I took Rythmol with metroprolol for 21 years. Then, Rythmol, stopped working. I was given Multaq. It seemed to work for awhile, but now it stopped too. Ablation has been suggested in the past.

I was diagnosed with lupus in 1997, but then, another rheumatologist told me that I probably had mixed connective tissue disorder.

I feel nervous about this upcoming surgery. My dad has multiple health problems, (he had a single chamber implant two years ago because of fainting). My mother died this past summer from CHF after fighting a long battle with other ailments as well as CHF. I oversaw her care for over 14 years. Now, I am trying to help my father deal with his medical problems.

I am waking up at night with like an adrenaline rush. My pulse seems to be racing and I have diarrhea. I am only receiving about three hours of sleep.

Has anyone else had similar medical problems? Did the dual chamber pacemaker help? Thanks in advance for your advice.
golden

9 Comments

you have soooo much to deal with

by BillMFl - 2013-12-01 10:12:29

All I can say is that a dual chamber pacemaker will cause you no harm and will ensure that you will have an adequate heart rate instead of brady. It won't resolve all of your issues however. For example, it has eliminated my brady as I now never drop below 60 bpm. It does not eliminate other events such as runs of tachy or irregular beats. The intallation surgery is low risk and of most of us recover quickly with only mild to moderate discomfort. In a few months it is easy to forget it is there. The PM can also help offset some plumbing issues by tweaking minimum heart rate levels and rate response or demand settings so that you get a boost when needed climbing stairs, etc. Anxiety can have many side effects on heart function as you already know. That topic is way beyond my pay grade of zero $, haha but try not to let the PM pile on more stress. It should help way more than hurt,

Re: You have sooo much to deal with

by golden0072 - 2013-12-01 11:12:30

Thank you for your input. I love your sense of humor, too!! You really helped ease my mind. Were you aware of what was going on, or were you in a sleepy state. I would like to be conscious, but I know I won't have any choice. Thanks again, so much for answering me. :-)

Ablations

by golden_snitch - 2013-12-02 03:12:42

Hi!

If you have ventricular tachycardia and Long QT, why are they only putting in a pacemaker and not an ICD? That doesn't make much sense. Also, you said that ablation has been mentioned, but you didn't have one, did you? Today, there are more options than taking Rhythmol plus Metoprolol; probably was a standard therapy 10-15 years ago, but at least SVTs can nowadays often be ablated successfully, and ablations for afib are getting more and more successful. So, I'd look into getting an ablation done. It's a chance to get rid of some antiarrhythmic drugs. And, especially if the drugs are causing a Long QT, this is definitely worth a try.

I don't have all these issues you have, but what I did have were lots of different tachycardias. Ablations have helped me tremendously.

Inga

very sleepy state

by BillMFl - 2013-12-02 09:12:10

When you have your first implant they want you to be imobilized so you don't thrash about when they implant the leads in your heart. I started to wake up when they were pushing the PM into my chest. No pain but heavy pressure on my chest. I kinda groaned and they quickly gave me more anathesia when I next woke up I was in recovery. This isn't a procedure where you can contribute to the process. Just know that it is done so frequently and safely that there is little to worry about.

Some of your problems

by JerryG - 2013-12-02 10:12:24

I only have some of your many problems but have a dual chamber PM (± 3 months now) and it has made me feel at least 30 years younger than my 66 years. I was diagnosed with afib but was fortunate to have a successful electric cardioversion. I have sick sinus syndrome with the accompanying bradycardia and blackouts which are now history with the PM. Unfortunately one of the falls I had when I blacked out damaged my nasal nerves and I have lost my sense of smell but I am still alive! Add diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea and hypertension and I guess I am not too badly off when I read the problems many others have.

My PM was implanted under general anaesthetic rather than local. I guess the cardio knew something when he used a general because the implant took 3½ hours when he found a hairpin bend in my cephalic vein that the guide wire would not go around. I was out of hospital the next morning and flew home the following day. Recovery was quick and relatively painless; I was champing at the bit for the 3 weeks I wasn't allowed to work out as I wanted to get back on my treadmill.

I am sure you will breeze through the implant. Good luck.

JerryG

Re: Need Assurance

by golden0072 - 2013-12-02 12:12:18

Thanks, also golden_snitch. I forgot to include you.

Re: Need Assurance

by golden0072 - 2013-12-02 12:12:26

Thank you JerryG, Inga, and Bill for all of your input. You have given me a lot of reassurance and information. I am very appreciative.

I have an appointment with the cardiologist before the surgery, so I will ask some additional questions that have been raised here.

I haven't had an ablation. I know that I have had runs of VT since the early 1990s, by seeing looking at some of my past event monitor reports. The VT runs are short and the rate wasn't considered high enough, I guess. One EP I saw told me that an ablation was risky.

Again, thanks for the information. :-)
golden

New to PM

by Joey1953 - 2013-12-07 09:12:44

I am 60 years old & had been telling my doc for sometime that I couldn't walk more than 250 ft without becoming out of breath, chest hurting & more often than not breaking out in a sweat & I do mean a soaking sweat. Went to the doctors Oct 31 (Halloween) due to low blood pressure (have high BP lost 50 lbs & BP has been getting lower) I thought I needed to have the remaining BP med. reduced) For what ever reason they did an EKG & sent me directly to the emergency room. Then On Monday 11/4 I had a pacemaker put in. I have had every emotion I can think of & some that I have no idea where they came from. Right now I am trying to accept this & hope my life will be better. I am no longer breathless or a sweat monster but still alittle nervous & trying to deal with the emotions. Has anyone gotten back to a better life style doing normal activities. Anyone from NY?

New to PM

by golden0072 - 2013-12-08 12:12:07

Hi Joey,

I think you might need to make a new post, because I am concerned many will not see what you have written. Yours was tagged as an answer to my (Need Reassurance) post. I think that you should post your message in the (Coping) section. See FORUMS section.

I just had a pacemaker implanted this past week, so I can relate to experiencing many different emotions after the procedure. It's OK. Just allow yourself to work through the feelings. Don't try to stuff everything.

Ask your doctors a lot of questions, so that you can be fully informed about your condition. Also, be sure to carry the pacemaker ID card that was given to you, because it contains important information about your device.

I feel that you have the right attitude of just trying to accept this and hope that your life will be better. That's what I am trying to do, too. I am trying to concentrate on all of the positive things that have happened and will happen as a result of the surgery. My faith and church friends have been a Godsend to me.

I experienced a lot of pain for a few days after the surgery, and I also had some swelling around the incision site. Both of these problems are getting much better

As you have probably seen, this pacemakerclub website has a wealth of information. Moreover, the members are so knowledgeable and willing to share. :-)

I hope that you feel better very soon.

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