Not sure what to ask

Hi everyone, I had a Biotronik evia pacemaker fitted at the end of June this year and have had 2 visits to pacing clinic. I spoke to the doc the first time and told him that I'd had a funny turn whist out with my 2 young children. We'd climbed quite a steep, tall hill and half way up i felt like I was going to collapse. It was like I needed a higher heart rate but didn't have it.

He just said he'd have a look at the data and see what was going on and that was it!

The last visit 2 weeks ago I had 2 doc/technicians whispering that something was a bit high but when I asked what they were talking about they didn't tell me. They both said that I didn't need to be seen for 6 months but to be sure to call the clinic if I didn't feel right!

Feel very thick because I don't know the technical jargon.

Can anyone offer any advice? I have Sinus bradycardia and my PM id a duel lead thingy.... oh, and I'm 48.

Thanks in advance
Ellen

4 Comments

what to say

by joelcr3 - 2014-11-15 07:11:11

Hi, I definitely wouldn't leave there until I got an explanation of what the problem they saw. I would ask for a dr. or supervisor and I would call my cardiologist to find out more and report the stuff you said.
Good Luck
Joel

Thanks

by ellen148 - 2014-11-15 08:11:03

Thanks Joel, I'm seeing my consultant on December 11th. I've got such a long list of questions to ask.

Was in UK

by Theknotguy - 2014-11-15 12:11:34

Was in UK in June. This is definitely one time I would NOT say, "No worries." While you probably aren't in danger of imminent death, you should feel a lot better while walking.

Learned the Brits have a laid back attitude and it's really hard to get them to do anything unless it's under direct orders from lord or lady whomever. This is not the time for a laid back attitude.

Also don't know if you can get in to see doctor or whomever before December. In any case, try to get in as soon as possible, then don't leave until you get some answers. In the US, we're allowed to ask for our PM report when they retrieve it from the PM. I can't read everything on my report but it has always been a wealth of information. I'm pretty sure you can get your report in the UK. You can always take the report and drop an e-mail to your PM company asking for clarification.

While you may be experiencing chronotropic incompetence (your heart doesn't come up to speed fast enough when exercising), I'd want to know why and if there is a setting that can be changed, or if you need to go for cardio rehab. Then again, it may be something else and I'm not qualified to guess what that would be.

The Brits do a lot more walking than we do in the US and you need to have that fast response when you start walking. Otherwise, if you are in London, you'll get trampled by the following crowd. Besides, the walking helps with the heart problems.

One of the reasons my wife and I went to the UK was because they have very good heart treatment and PM support. Made it up to the top of Blarney Castle with my PM. Didn't run out of breath, enjoyed the view, and kissed the stone. No worries.

Hang in there. Hope things get turned around for you soon.

Thanks for your comments

by ellen148 - 2014-11-16 04:11:25

Thanks alot for your comments, it is very different here with regards to health care. I like to be in control of most of what goes on around me and really don't like not understanding all this PM stuff. I have tried bringing my appointment forward but its not so easy within the NHS particularly when the other date is so close.

I'll let people know what the Doc says on 11th Dec.

Thanks again

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