What's normal....

I had my 1st pacemaker fitted 3 weeks ago. It is a Medtronic dual lead and I take bisoprolol every day. It was set at 60 after surgery but had to be readjusted to 90 2 days later. I'm still having a lot of palpitations and feel really exhausted all the time. Breathlessness and dizzy spells have all stopped...it just doesn't feel right. I feel very uncomfortable in the centre of my chest too. It's another 10 days before my next check up and just wondered if any one else had experienced anything like this and is it normal? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated...thanks

5 Comments

Dawn

by Grateful Heart - 2014-05-05 05:05:21

I'm assuming 60 was your resting rate. If so, 90 seems a little high.

Mine was 60 originally and I did not feel well at that rate so my EP adjusted it to 70 and it made a huge difference for me.

"Normal" is usually somewhere between 60-80 bpm so maybe if your Doctor lowers it to 70 or even 80 you may find it more comfortable. It sometimes takes a few tries and a few adjustments to get the settings just right for you....we're all different.

Not sure why they would have jumped from 60 to 90 though....that's a big leap. Your Doctor may have a specific reason so be sure to ask him.

Grateful Heart

Thank you Grateful Heart

by Dawnie - 2014-05-05 06:05:19

Thanks so much for that...I feel my settings are high but it's all so new I don't know what is normal and what isn't. I haven't fainted or had a dizzy spell since it was implanted but it just doesn't feel right. I think it needs a little tweaking to sort it out.
It's fantastic to have a group like this for advice and reassurance. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply :)

Investigate!

by JLeslie - 2014-05-05 11:05:08

What I admire about this group most is its cautious and evidence-based approach to giving advice. That makes it different than almost any discussion group I have yet seen on the issues that interest me. I find this group educating and refreshing. In your case, I think that the message is that you should question your caregivers on why you have gone from 60 to 90 as a target for heart rate. When you do this, you will get some helpful answers.

I really hope for your success and look forward to hearing from you about what you have been able to accomplish.

John

Just doesn't feel right????

by Pookie - 2014-05-08 11:05:02

Do you mean you can feel something in the lower part of your heart if you had to pinpoint it??? Just curious, because I felt something and what it turned out to be was: my ventricle lead's voltage was way too high and when it did it's self-test it really made me feel weird.

Basically if you wanna feel really good with your pacemaker you have to keep going back and only allow them to change ONE setting per visit to see if it worked or not.

It took me 5 and a half years for them to finally get it right and OMG, last week didn't a new tech change a few of my settings without telling me!!!!!!!! - I was half way out of the hospital when I read my report and marched right back in and made her change them back to what they were.

90 is kinda high in my opinion.

Also: if you can have a Medtronic rep in along with the pacer tech, sometimes they can brainstorm and figure things out a bit better.

It will take a bit of work on their part, your part is to speak up :)

Take care,
Pookie

1st pacemaker clinic

by Dawnie - 2014-05-15 08:05:30

Had my check up today and my rate was dropped to 75 so I'm hoping this will make a difference. They added a couple of programmes to boost the rate when I exercise or I'm under pressure so it sounds good.
Got a bit of a jolt when they tested the leads... Caught me unawares a little..I'll be ready next time!!

Anyways, I go back in 3 weeks for another check but sooner if need be..it feels like I'm going the right direction at last :)

I'm trying to be positive and I am feeling the benefits..it's just a lot to get your head around. I'm going to attempt to get back to the gym and the dojo next week..I miss my karate!!

Here's hoping and thank you all so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. It really does help to share with folks experiencing similar issues :)

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