Increased need for sleep

I had a pacemaker implanted 2 1/2 weeks ago and am going back to a desk job tomorrow. I feel better than I have in ages.

I feel ready and am tired of being home but I have been taking a nap every day and still sleeping well at night. Is it typical to have an increased need for sleep? Has this been a problem for others?

Any comments would be appreciated.

5 Comments

sleepy

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-26 07:04:34

I found I napped a lot for 3-4 weeks after. I didn't feel bad, just tired out in the afternoons. It's a minor surgery,but it's still a shock to the body and it takes some time to fully bounce back. It will go away!

Are you on any new meds? Beta blockers can make you tired for the first 4-6 weeks. So can most pain meds.

Not out of line

by Theknotguy - 2015-04-26 08:04:27

For the first few weeks I'd feel real good, wake up early, have energy. Then fall fast asleep in the afternoon. Couldn't help it.

You have to give your body time to get over the shock of having been cut open and have someone shove wires down a very small tube. You've also need to get the various chemicals they dumped in your system out. That takes time.

It does get better. I'm back to my pre-PM sleeping rhythm. It took me a lot longer than others because I had so much trauma before getting the PM. Now plenty of energy. No longer feel the need to take a nap in the afternoon.

Hope everything else is going well for you.

Thanks for Asking this Question

by MathTeacher - 2015-04-27 08:04:30

Thanks so much for asking this question. It saved me the time trying to find the answer in older posts. I just had my PM put in five days ago. I was wondering if wanting to take a nap was normal. I'm really enjoying and needing that afternoon snooze. I'm just getting over mono, too, so I couldn't tell which one was making me tired. Theknotguy and TraceyE: Thanks for reminding me that just plain old surgery will do it to you, too. I am SO thankful to be getting enough time off from work to rest and take those naps. My EP's office originally said I'd be back to work in a week. Don't think so!

Report on first day back to work

by 0300hours - 2015-04-27 11:04:30

I know PM implantation is technically a surgery, but it didn't involve a general anesthetic and no strong analgesics. I was unprepared for the increased need for sleep.

I wish I had taken a little more time off. Now that I have returned to the job, I would find it difficult to take additional sick time. My first day was gruelling...and I have a desk job. My planned half day extended to 8 1/2 hours. I came home and could not remain awake once I sat down. I'm sore and tired. I can't wait to go to bed for the night. It takes so much energy to be engaged.

I would encourage any new PM recipients to take time before trying to return to normal.

Agreed - get the rest the body is telling you

by WillToRun - 2015-04-28 12:04:25

I had my ICD implanted 8 weeks ago. I have been enjoying my afternoon naps at about 3 daily until last week. I too have a desk job, and so glad for the folks I work for. They have been a tremendous help to understand my situation and allowed me to work independent and reduced hours. I was getting in at 9 AM and leaving about 2:30. It has been nice to recover and let my body tell me what I needed. All my life, I've beat my body up in work and staying up late to finish my job. I'm glad that I have the time now to listen and be patient. I feel even better this week and have been back to my running self as well. I'll be running a half marathon this weekend. I'll listen after the race to see if I need that nap. I'm hoping to get one. I hope you can talk with the folks who you work for and asked how they can assist in your recovery with some flexibility. Good luck!

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.