after effects of Pacemaker installation

i live in Bournemouth, England and in addition to 7 stents over the last 10 years I was told, following a 24 hour ECG check, that I needed a Pacemaker. I had no particular reason , that I knew of, for wanting a Pacemaker, but had one installed in mid January 2014
Within 2 months I started to feel giddy/ unsteady - almost as though I had a permanent hangover - (no such luck !!)
My Pacemaker was checked -no problem My blood pressure also checked - no problem. My ear balance mechanism treated via "Circ" tablets - no improvement. Lastly an MRI scan of my head to check on ears generally - no problem All of this taking up to October 2014
In October my Pacemaker was "downloaded" and indicated ( and I quote the Cardiologist ) " several quite long prolonged episodes of atrial flutter up to 7 or 8 hours "
I am still awaiting any news on what action is now to be suggested, but it includes replacing aspirin with Warfarin and possibly "flutter ablation " - whatever that is !!
Could I enquire if any other members have a similar dizziness experience please
Finally !!! I have also quite suddenly developed a shaking of the hands, which my Doctor has described as " senile trembling " ( aged 84 ) . Has anyone associated such trembling with the installation of a Pacemaker, which my wife thinks is likely
Many thanks Alanstuart




3 Comments

Why blame the PM for everything ?

by IAN MC - 2014-12-19 09:12:51

Hi Alan Your heading suggests that all the problems that you are having are " After effects of PM installation " , the atrial flutter and even the hand trembling ?

It is highly likely that the Pacemaker , which you have had for almost a year now, is not to blame for either ; if it rains in Bournemouth over Xmas you can't blame the PM for that either.

You don't say exactly why you have a Pacemaker . You have one probably because your heart-rate was dropping too low . I find it extraordinary that you let them fit one "for no particular reason " I would have been tempted to ask them why !

Your current dizziness could certainly be explained by atrial flutter which is an irregular heat rhythm caused by an electrical problem of your heart . An 84 year old heart is no different to an 84 yr old TV set; it may develop electrical problems !

Chances are that you have developed a new electrical problem which is not related to you having a pacemaker .

If you take your pulse while you are having a dizzy spell , how does it feel ? Pulses are meant to be regular ; if they are not you may feel grim and you are at a greater risk of having a stroke so they put you on blood-thinners like warfarin.

Now for the good news, atrial flutter can be successfully treated with a " flutter ablation " . The permanent cure-rates are around 95 % and an ablation is now considered treatment of choice for atrial flutter . I have had one . If you have one and it works ,as mine did ,you won't need take warfarin or aspirin or any other blood-thinners .

It is a relatively simple procedure where a catheter is introduced into your heart and the electrical circuitry is altered slightly . It sounds terrible but it really can be a piece of cake.

Haven't a clue about your senile trembling though . I assume that the Drs have ruled out the obvious causes.. are you sure you don't have that hangover which you are denying ?

Best of luck

Ian from sunny Buckinghamshire; ( well it is today anyway )

why blame pacemaker for everything ?

by alanstuart - 2014-12-20 07:12:27

Hi Ian from sunny Buckinghamshire
Many thanks for your helpful/reassuring comments - much appreciated
I have now been asked to go and see my GP since I understand he has news from the Cardiologist. This is at 0850 tomorrow so I will let you know the outcome
With regard to the "senile trembling" - yes I have asked the obvious about Parkinsons Desease, but was assured it was not the onset. As it has got spasmodically worse, have now arranged to see a neurologist on the 30th December as I need some reassurances.
Watch this space !!
Thanks again Ian Alan

Medical ypdate from Bournemouth

by alanstuart - 2014-12-31 10:12:29

A member called "Ian" kindly replied to my initial post of the 19th December and this is the recent news as promised
1 my cardiologist has increased my daily betablocka from 7.5mg to 10.0mg seven days ago and the dizziness is better but not yet normal
2 he has also arranged an "echocardiogram" for Tuesday 27th January
3 these changes are the result of a pacing check showing "a short lived episode of non sustained ventricular disturbance whatever that may mean !!
4 Additionally , because of the "senile trembling " diagnosis, I saw a neurologist yesterday who confirmed this diagnosis - i.e. anormal ageing process at 84 years old BUT that it was not yet a fore runner of Parkinsons Disease which I had feared - so good news. He also confirmed that the Pacemaker was not associated with the trembling
5 finally a further Pacemaker check is scheduled for the2nd February prior to a consultant review with the Cardiologist on the 12th February

So Ian that is the update promised - all done foc via the NHS here in Bournemouth despite criticisms of the service elsewhere in the UK

Will update you further as things progress on the positive assumption that they obviously want to keep me alive !!

Regards Alanstuart

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Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.