Anyone else had this problem

So ever since my ablation and pacemaker on 1/21 when I a yawn I cant breath at all, I feel like I am suffocating I asked my Family Doc and his response was "thats weird" and he moved on. The other problem that has shown up since then is Now keep in mind I have had great blood pressure even before surgery now my blood pressure goes from normal to extremely low like 72/50 and it happens often so of course I asked about it and the response was "eat more salt" So I have done some research and talk to my eye surgeon he said It sounds like they caused some damage to my vagus nerve during surgery any input from anyone I would appreciate any input at all.

3 Comments

Medications

by Artist - 2015-03-05 01:03:08

Your comment about low BP makes me wonder if you are taking medications that also might be contributing to your symptoms. I have a pacemaker and am taking Bisoporol and Flecainide for AFIB/rhythm problems.Even though I am taking the lowest possible effective doses, My BP is very low, especially in the evening when I am more sedentary. I went through several different medications before they found the mix for me that did not cause lethargy and low BP.

Ask your doc

by NiceNiecey - 2015-03-05 01:03:45

Since I was about 5y/o, I've had difficulty getting a deep breath. I am an asthmatic and thought for years that must be why.

After getting my PM, I was amazed how much easier it was to get a good breath. That lasted for a few months. More recently, however, it has returned. My doctor has now added to my diagnosis list Diastolic Failure. DF contributes to breathing difficulties.

None of that means you have asthma, DF, or anything else. Many meds also have that as a side effect, esp psychotropic meds.

As far as your BP, are you on a beta blocker? Assuming you are, it may need to be adjusted. Time for another follow up with your cardiologist or EP!

Had that problem

by Theknotguy - 2015-03-05 11:03:31

You mentioned this before on the forum. I had that problem of having hard yawns right after PM implantation. At the time I thought it was normal and I was so beat up from everything that happened I didn't mention it to anyone. I was too busy with everything else. Stayed on oxygen for as long as they let me.

I have sleep apnea, so used my CPAP to help force air into my lungs. Since they had broken a rib, cracked two ribs, and collapsed a lung, I had a tendency to take shallow breaths until I'd run out of oxygen, then would need to start gasping for air or have a hard yawn. As my breathing returned to normal the problem went away. I'll still run into situations where after resting, when I start a conversation, I'll need to yawn several times to get the oxygen up in my system.

I'm guessing you're running into the same problem I do. Because of the sleep apnea I'll unconsciously hold my breath (even though I'm awake) or take shallow breaths. Then when I step up my activity I have an oxygen debt and my body has to compensate.

The heart doctor isn't looking at breathing just the heart and circulatory system. I'm guessing he's missing the problem all together. I'm thinking discussing it with your sleep doctor or the doctor who's treating your COPD.

You're in the US so you should have ready access to a pulse/ox. It's a small piece of equipment readily available at your local pharmacy and it doesn't cost that much. It would give you a snapshot of how much oxygen you're utilizing while resting. O2 levels should run at 98/99 % but people with breathing problems will run lower. Before my collapsed lung healed, my O2 level was running 95/96 % using the pulse/ox. At the same time my wife's was running at 98/99%.

You mentioned you had COPD but didn't indicate if you had sleep apnea too. Both can affect your breathing which, in turn can affect the O2 levels in your bloodstream.

I, of course, may be completely wrong as I'm not a doctor, but maybe this will send you in a direction where you can get some help.

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