Thumping chest, adrenaline & cagey doctors

I've had a pacemaker since I was 4 years old and have had the box and leads changed multiple times. I'm now 25 and will be going for a box change in a few months.

Since having this latest one implanted 4 years ago, I've had problems with my chest thumping like mad as if I've just been sprinting from an axe murderer, when in fact I've just brushed my teeth; then all of a sudden my heart will beat as it should and I won't be able to feel it.

Does anyone else get this? I also have a theory that my heart reacts over-zealously to adrenaline and that's why I struggle to sleep sometimes; some nights I get constant rushes of adrenaline in my solar plexus when in bed.

I also find myself overly-nervous when faced with interviews etc.
I start off fine (I'm a confident person when it comes to meeting new people etc.) but then a bit of an adrenaline rush becomes a thumping heart and before you know it I'm a nervous wreck.

The doctors I see are always cagey about what's going on with my pacemaker and I have to dig info out of them; often what I find out is brand new or conflicting with what they'd told me previously!

My young age of first implantation makes my case a bit of a rare one, so I've never met anyone who's experienced what I have.

P.S. Despite my experience I'm no expert; so if anyone can shed some light on my situation (no matter how simple) I'd be very grateful.

1 Comments

pacing atria

by perry - 2014-12-23 07:12:53

I was 39 when i got my PM in 1999.im 100% dependant on PM .in 99 i had the flu got over it but 3 months later up out of the blue my heart would skip and only beat 30 bpm,the dr's said the flu virus damaged my sinus nodes some how .now 3 PM later last one was put in oct.17 2014.i have had my heart pound with every PM,can't sleep alot of the time because of it .i tell the DR and they just look at you like you are lying,and over the years i started having afib.I have a really screwed up electrical system but i think i know what is going on and could be what is your problem ,the ventriculs paced all the time but the atria paces about 25% of the time ,i think that when the PM is pacing the atria is when i get the pounding in my chest.the PM is pacing both at the same time .your chest will pound when you have afib too.maybe this is what is happening to you.

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.