Being evaluated for a PM due to bradycardia

Hi all!

I've been having severe fatigue for the last year and a half and have been to more doctors and had more bloodwork than I'd like. After seeing a cardiologist and having an echocardiogram and wearing a holter monitor I'm exploring the idea of a pacemaker.

The structure and general function of my heart is normal, but my heart rate gets down to 40 while sleeping and 42 while awake (according to the holter). I've been experiencing fatigue, weakness, never waking up refreshed, night sweats, brief seconds of feeling "spacey", and a nearly daily headache along the top of my head/ache behind my eyes.

I'm going to an EP in a week to get his opinion (well really I'm not sure what he's going to do). My cardiologist is thinking a pacemaker may be a possibility but really wants to rule everything else out due to my age, I'm 29, and my heart function appearing normal aside from the bradycardia.

Just wanted to post this hoping that some will share their symptoms and path to a PM due to bradycardia.

Thanks!

7 Comments

ay yi yi

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-16 01:09:28

I did two rants on this in the last few days so I won't do another :o) However, ask the question... if you were 79 or 69 or even 59, would you even be having the discussion? Probably not. They'd pace you, fix your problems and you'd get on with your life. Your symptoms are classic, your rate is not even close to borderline, there is no other fix for a low heart rate. What are they waiting for, you to get old so you look like a typical pacer patient??

I got my first one at 27 back in 1994, heart rate and symptoms very similar to yours. I should have been paced several years before I was but my dr wanted to wait because I was so young. Afraid of surgery, I was happy to procrastinate and didn't push. Then one day my rate tanked to the low 20's and I ended up in emergency surgery. (I do not recommend this approach lol) When I woke up in recovery, it was like someone turned the light on. I recovered quickly, full of energy, and haven't slowed down since. In hindsight, I'm resentful that he let me sleep away two years of my life when I could have been feeling good all that time. So my advice to others in the same situation is ask yourself, is it an occasional annoyance or is it profoundly affecting your life? Are there things you want to do that you can't? Do you struggle to get through the day? If so, why wait?? Get your life back.

sleep

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-16 01:09:42

You could be waking up tired because your rate gets so low when you sleep. Or, it could be apnea. They don't understand the connection, but there seems to be a correlation between heart problems and sleep apnea. Knowing won't fix your heart, but if you have apnea it needs to be treated separately so a sleep study might be a good idea.

Blondie

by zawodniak2 - 2015-09-16 03:09:02

I had similar symptoms. Passed out once and broke a rib --spent 5 days in hospital. Cardiologist said I should get a pace maker , especially since I have a left bundle branch block. I asked for more tests including an electrophysiology test. The tests were non-conclusive, so I did not get the PM at that time. The following year, after one quick fainting spell and just not feeling right, I asked my cardiologist for a tilt table test. He sent me to an electrophysiologist who performed the tilt table test and nitroglycerin and concluded I had what he considered a "LAZY HEART". and was a candidate for a rate responsive PM. When I asked him what would be the downside of getting a PM, if I really did not need it, he looked me in the eye and said--"YOU WILL BE NEEDING ONE SOMEDAY",.at which time I said "LET'S DO IT"!!!..That was 8 years ago and I had a new one put in several months ago due to battery life...I am 73 years old, glad I did it and never questioned my decision. My heart rate has never gone below 60 bpm and it speeds up nicely when I start to exercise, even just walking around the room..You have the classic symptoms which will be resolved with a pace maker. Other than feeling normal, you won't even know you have a pace maker. I know, being quite young, this makes for a tougher decision, but if it will improve your quality of life for your many years ahead, it seems like the right thing to do. The upside outweighs the downside---good luck with your decision and let me know what you decide.
Rodger

Most common medical misconception?

by Griddlebone - 2015-09-16 03:09:23

I can't count the times I've told people I have a pacemaker and the response was, "But you're too young!" I'm 60, a doddering old woman in the eyes of the average 20-something, so I first take it as a compliment and then inform them that PM necessity is not a function of age. There are children born needing a pacemaker and others who develop a need before their teens. If ya need one, ya need one.

I also have sleep apnea, and who knows how much that had to do with it. I love my CPAP almost as much as I love my pacemaker or my dog - perhaps I should look into being more social with humans, lol.

Symptoms

by Sue H. - 2015-09-16 10:09:02

Your symptoms are telling you something is not right and these are some typical symptoms of bradycardia.

I had fatigue, short of breath, couldn't walk farther than from one room to another and had to sit down. Just felt lousy. My heart rate went below 40 many times.

Had a pacemaker put in 7 years ago and feel so much better. Don't be afraid of getting pacer even though you are young.

There are people on here who had them put in when they were very young and are doing great!

Good luck to you.
Sue

Similarities .. or .. me too.

by oldearthworm - 2015-09-16 12:09:27

A reading of 101/ 30/41 ; feeling weak, tired, depressed, no appetite , triggered the emergency implantation of a St. Judes two lead PM two months ago - to the day ..Now, I am back to "normal" ... an average of 150/55/60 .. and I eat like a pig.....
I was "sick"(SSS) for the month of July, and I still have not caught up with house , car , and yard work .. a bit depressing ..
Thank god, that I was spared having headaches ..

Update

by Blondie - 2015-09-23 01:09:56

Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences, much appreciated!

I saw an EP today and the short version of his opinion is that my heart rate is low, but not low enough to warrant a pacemaker without correlating the low heart rate to fatigue/feeling poorly. Of course he is extra concerned because I am young (which I appreciate to some extent because I certainly don't want a PM if it's not going to fix the problems). So, I get to wear a holter monitor for a third time and this time document exactly how I am feeling the entire time. Fingers crossed I find an answer somewhere!

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

Member Quotes

But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.