Choking feeling

Hi. I hope this is ok that I am the one posting. It is actually my husband who got a pacemaker. He got one last August just before his 43 birthday. His heart rate prior was down to 27 beats a minute. He got his device down in Vancouver at St. Pauls hospital. Its been over 6 months and has since been having a choking feeling that comes and goes. It didn't come on right away after surgery but seemed to come on after a few weeks to about a month after. Echocardio came back "normal", they have him on meds that are to relax his esophagus (sp?). It seeeeems to be easing it off but it is still there. It gets worse when he lies down or bends over. Has anyone else experienced something like this?? Is it possible to have new leads installed-IF that is what is causing the issue??? How safe is that? Thanks in advance. ....from a very stressed wife :/

3 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-24 03:02:19

I would check to see that the leads aren't pacing inappropriately. I really doubt that's the case, esp if the echo was normal. Poorly places leads are more likely to affect the diaphragm than esophagus, but it's worth checking out. Sometimes we get tunnel vision and it's easy to blame everything on the pm. He should see his internist, don't assume it's cardiac.

Has he been checked for?

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-24 03:02:47

Has he been checked for Hiatal Hernia? Based upon your description and being with someone who had it for 35 years it sounds like that's the problem.

Another description on this forum was of someone who's diaphragm was stimulated by the PM leads. But that's very rare.

Hope you can find some help.

Theknotguy

in re choking feeling

by millerlana - 2014-03-04 01:03:15

I have had something of the same nature (see my post regarding swollen vocal cords) but am still in the fact-finding mode. I do know something happened during my procedure because I was breathing and swallowing just fine before it. I am hoping it will ease up with time.

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