maybe I am just nervous?

Had my Boston Scientific PM placed in May 2014. I had SSS and was having very low rate and BP and pauses/dizziness. The dizzy episodes have greatly decreased but I often feel like I am short of breath or breathy when I am doing only light exhursion. I am active (walk 3 miles/day) and a dog walker and don't have a lack of energy but I am beginning to wonder if my PM is set too low(rate seems to be in 60s) all of the time. Last checkup I was only using it ~20% of the time. My next check is January but wondered if I should call sooner?
Marcy

7 Comments

PM Adjustments

by Grateful Heart - 2014-11-02 04:11:07


After 6 months, you may need an adjustment or two. I thought 60 bpm should be fine for me too. After a few months, I felt the way you do. My EP raised it to 70 bpm and for me, it felt much better.

Also, with SSS, the Rate Response setting should be turned on for most of us. If it is not, that should also make a difference for you. With SSS, our HR will not rise upon exertion....giving us that SOB feeling.

The Cardios will only make a couple of adjustments at a time until they see what will work for you.

Don't wait until January if you are not feeling well. It's easy for the Docs to make these adjustments. Keep us posted.

Grateful Heart

THANK YOU

by hovancsek - 2014-11-02 06:11:19

I appreciate your help more than I can say. I had started to feel lke 60 beats/min was just not right for active me and I am unsure the rate response is on. I will call them and get in and it is so reassuring to know you wnat to hear about my progress -again Thank you!

Another thing to consider

by kmom - 2014-11-02 06:11:26

you said you have SSS--do you have tachy episodes too?? I have afib/flutter and Atach on propafenone for control but still having break out issues. they've since increased the medication a couple of days ago because I was getting SOB, chest pains, tiredness etc. so if you're having tachy issues it could be that as well. not saying that is your case but something to consider. They are working on the meds now after they've tried adjusting the PM (has since April) I may see if they can increase the settings as Grateful heart mentioned if this doesn't work but they can't do it too much because I already have problems with tachy. All I know is I felt fantastic and ready to take on the world after I first got my PM and after a couple of weeks I started dragging and kept getting worse (still feel better than before but not as good as I know I can feel)

I'd get checked again

by Theknotguy - 2014-11-02 08:11:55

I'm a dog walker too. It's great to get out with the dogs. They don't complain and are happy to just be with you.

Based upon the description of your symptoms I'd suggest getting checked out again before January. It would be worth a second look to see if they could tweak something to help you feel better.

Because I had a lot of afib sessions I asked them to turn on the Medtronics Atrial Preference Pacing (APP). It really helped. But I had to ask for it to be turned on. I'm thinking you'll need to tell the EP about your sessions and see if they can do something.

Hope they can help you.

thanks all

by hovancsek - 2014-11-03 05:11:10

I will call and try to see if if any adjustments can be made. I did call a few months ago and they called me right back but talked me out of my concerns. This time I will ask for an appt. beofre my scheduled January one. I am told that I do have tachy (not on meds) occasionally as well although I am not specifically aware of when this happens- this could be part of the problem.

love the trick

by hovancsek - 2014-11-06 02:11:18

I will give this a try! love it! thanks

trick I learned

by DMJ - 2014-11-06 12:11:26

I also have shortness of breath and get winded easily when walking. I read a trick to tap on your pacemaker when you are doing exercises that don't cause upper body movement since the pacemaker may not realize you have increased your activity. It seems to help, I tap it when I walk, go up hills etc. and know I'm not moving my arms etc.

Give it a try, better than more meds.

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