has the Dr let you die.

Had my first programming yesterday on my new crt. Due to the fact I'm 100% paced with av node ablation he wanted to check to make sure had no natural beat so they warned me then started shutting down crt device. Let them know at 20 bpm I was passing out and they brought me back up. He wanted me to experience my unit failing on me. What a trip. Wasn't expecting it. Puts a little more dependency in the back of your mind on how important that little computer box is.

7 Comments

PM check

by Pacemum - 2014-08-24 02:08:51

My daughter's description when they slow heart rate is that it becomes hard to breath and feels like there is something stuck in her throat but bigger.

I ask

by KAG - 2014-08-24 11:08:54

them to tell me when they do their test at the PM check. I like to be aware of what's coming rather than them just do it and all of a sudden feel weird.

PM checks

by Grateful Heart - 2014-08-24 12:08:37

I can always tell when my Nurse races my heart and slows it down. I usually let her know as I'm feeling it. She said most people do not notice it....I don't know how. I guess I just feel everything.

One time I didn't mention it until the test was over. She said she thought I didn't feel it that time so now I just mention it as it goes.

We're all different.

I agree about your title being misleading. I didn't know what I was about to read. Sure got our attention.

Grateful Heart

100% totally

by skaggsoak - 2014-08-25 01:08:56

Im 100%: it totally beats for all my heart. With my other pacemaker s I always felt adjustments. He purposely shut me don to make sure I had no heart beat. He warned me and I was laying back. When he saw me going out he brought me back quickly.

I had a tech slow me down so far

by janetinak - 2014-08-25 04:08:25

w/o warning & I felt so bad I thought I was going into arrest, Happily the ANP came in just then when I was asking what he had done before I fell on my face. ANP said she's 100%p paced. He reversed it right away. Now I always remind them before we start. They all have been aware of it since (PM since 2000 after AV Node ablation). They never go very low so very little affect & as I have AFib & had a fast beat since forever speeding it up doesn't bother me. I agree it is scary & when it is the 1st PM & not aware of things. reminding of dependency on PM is not something I like to be reminded of. That tech worked for the PM company & works somewhere else now.

Janet

Hunnh?

by Gotrhythm - 2014-08-25 12:08:21

Why on earth did the DR want you to experience your unit failing?!!! What was he trying to accomplish by making you associate fear with your PM?

I guess you do think more about how dependent you are on the device! How could you not?

The good news is that these little jewels are so tough, and well-shielded from interference, and exquisitely programmed that the conditions under which they could fail are wildly improbable.

The battery will run out eventually, of course, but you'll have plenty of warning, and the CRT will be replaced before the current one has a chance to fail.

When I think about my PM (which I rarely do) I'm always grateful that in all life's vicissitudes the one thing I don't have to worry about is my heart stopping.

That feeling when they turn off the PM? Some people don't feel it at all, but those who do universally find it really unpleasant. I think it was unconscionable for the DR to let it go until you were passing out.

Just my opinion.

Escape rhythm

by SaraTB - 2014-08-26 08:08:13

Some doctors want to check whether you have an escape rhythm because some patients find it reassuring to know. For example my NP worked with me and determined I have an escape rhythm of around 30 bpm.

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

Member Quotes

I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.