Palpitations

I have been having many palpitations since my implant on October 2nd. They began about a week after surgery. I had them before surgery but have many more now. It seems just walking to the restroom causes them. Is this part of the getting used to the pacemaker stage?

7 Comments

might happen

by Olena - 2014-10-15 03:10:30

When the doctor did an EP study on my heart for several days was out of control. So I would say it is possible for you to have more palpiltations.

Initial adjustment

by Theknotguy - 2014-10-15 10:10:23

After I received my PM I had a lot of twinges, bumps, thumps, and all sorts of stuff going on. It takes a while for your body to adjust to the PM. There's also a mental adjustment and you have to get used to how the body feels with the new equipment.

My heart was accustomed to doing the same old thing and wanted to beat whenever it felt like it. So it would take it's merry old time about starting a heartbeat. The PM would wait its allotted time, then initiate a heartbeat. I was expecting nothing to happen but instead I got a heartbeat. I'd go into coughing jags because of what I felt to be "early" heartbeats. This feeling went on for several months but I gradually got accustomed to it.

I also have afib. I don't know if you have it or not, but afib gives you a feeling of heart palpitations. Or, of course, you could just have heart palpitations. Either way, with the body trying to adjust to the PM it can be either 1) giving you the feeling of palpitations or, 2) actual palpitations. They should be able to do an EKG and tell you what is going on.

You'll also have an adjustment period that may last for several months. I went through the coughing jags, then through a period of where I could feel the PM kick in, then finally am at a period of where I hardly notice the PM.

We're accustomed to instant everything in today's world. But medical issues and adjustments to the PM take time. Hang in there. Life does get better.
Eventually your body and heart settle down

Thanks

by Shaun - 2014-10-16 05:10:40

Thank you so much for questions and answers like these which are very reassuring to new PM club members like myself. I am a bit up and down at the moment, one moment believing I'm almost recovered other moments like last night getting very little sleep due to twinges (all over the place), palpitations, shortness of breath and tightness in the left shoulder. Thoughts racing through the mind range from whether the PM might be coming out of its socket and about to burst through the wound to whether I might have accidently pulled out the leads. During the day the mind is more rational, but at night time these become very real fears.

I'm now contemplating going back to work to try and return to some sort of normality, but on the other hand I'm still not sure if I'm ready yet. Sorry for the rambling, but once again many thanks to all you PM veterans for helping to ease the fears for us PM newbies.

RE:

by LauraClayton - 2014-10-16 08:10:25

I went to the cardiologist today and they did some adjustments. They said a lot of it is just stuff that I will get used to. I am very relieved that everything is going as it should. Thanks to everyone that responded to my post!

To Laura and Shaun

by cabbie - 2014-10-18 06:10:01

Like you two I am also a newbie a proud owner of a CRT D since August. Your last paragraph Shaun really hit home. I had to be admitted in hospital two weeks for persistent hypotension after having frquent PVCs disrupting my biventricular pacing and it was quite discouraging. Howver one good thing came out of this hospitalization, my cardiologist finally referred me to cardiac rehab. I have only been to the first two sessions but I can see how it can be so helpful plus it is reassuring to me to see all the people seeking help there who are wanting to recover more fully and quickly and learn how to handle their cardiac and other health issues long-term. You might consider cardiac rehab too after you're stable from the implantation. My cardiac rehab specialist asked for clearance from my EP before putting me into the program.

Cheers

cabbie

by LauraClayton - 2014-10-18 08:10:50

What do you do in cardiac rehab? My cardiologist released me to.go back to work in a couple of weeks. Financially, I'm needing to but physically and mentally I'm not sure that I'm ready.

Dear All

by Tedi - 2014-11-04 08:11:28

Hi...i am one of pacemaker user here in indonesia and i have no limitation by having such a thing in my body. I am now an employee in Oil & Gas Company and doing a lot of travelling.
Please, don't let your mind driving you toward negative feelings. I have been even feeling much better than ever by having PM implanted since 5 years ago.
Have a very happy moment everyday.

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

Member Quotes

Sometimes a device must be tuned a few times before it is right. My cardiologist said it is like fine tuning a car.