Questions before I move forward!

I have been visiting this site for a month now and it has been extremely informative. I thank God for it. But I have searching for this month for people with something in common with the issue I currently have. I have Heart Block, but I am unlike most on here (who have a heart block), who have 3rd degree Heart Block. I have 2nd Degree Mobitz II Block and will be fitted with a PM sometime this coming month and I have so many questions before I go for it.

20 yrs ago I had an ablation to correct Tachycardia. The doctor "knicked" something as he put it, and from then on I have been dealing with Arrhythmia, 10-40 dropped beats a day (sometimes more, each day is different), with spells of feeling like I might pass out due to this and periods of Wenckebach lasting 3-5 hours each time. Things have been getting progressively worse over the years and for the 20 yrs Doctors have asked that I wait for the PM implant due to my age.

I would really like to know if anyone here has the same symptoms and if having the PM implant corrected them. Did your PM stop your dropped beats/skipped beats. Did the PM help with correcting your mssied beats during Wenckebach. My EP said that he doesn't guarantee that the PM will correct mine as there is no pattern and it is all over the place when it occurs.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you all for your time and sorry for the long winded message :-)
CC

4 Comments

Very similar

by SaraTB - 2015-10-25 07:10:19

Hello CC and welcome. Like you, I had an ablation to treat my tachycardia, about 12 years ago, and just like you, the AV node was damaged during the process, putting me into 3rd degree heart block. The next day I had a pacemaker implanted. Since then, I have been paced every beat.

I then found that I would flake out on exertion and feel like a landed fish, gasping for air, if I climbed a hill, for example. Tried lots of programming tweaks, until a treadmill test showed that I was also going into Wenckebach on exertion. Some re-programming was done and I can say it has been a huge improvement. The treadmill test was attended by my EP and the PM company rep (actually it was the rep's boss, who really knew all the whistles and bells of the device) so that they could work together to reprogramme it.

Having the pacemaker was non-negotiable after the ablation damage, as I only had an escape rhythm of 30 or so BPM, being in 3rd degree block all the time. The PM cured that issue completely of course. For me, even if they couldn't have resolved the later Wenckebach, the PM has been worth it. As your doctor already knows of your condition, I would think it should be something he can work on together with the manufacturer, and a treadmill test. At a minimum, it will resolve the 3rd degree block.

On another note, here at the PM Club, we often read of members who were told they should wait for a PM because they were "too young". Ridiculous! If it will treat what ails you, and allow you to live your life in good health again, why shouldn't you do it? Babies get PMs. Teenagers do - why should you have to put up with feeling weak and fainting and a restricted life?

Good luck with your exploration of the subject - I'm sure others will comment in due course.

Thanks

by CC88 - 2015-10-26 03:10:21

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. And regarding your comment about Doctors asking patients to wait...you are absolutely right. The question I always asked them was "what if I do pass out and smash my head?" Do I wait for something like that to happen before a PM is implanted?

Again, thank you so much SaraTB.

If anyone else has the same issues I am going through I would really love to hear from you.

CC

Very like my problem

by Jane S - 2015-10-26 09:10:15

I too got an ablation 16yrs ago for AVNRT they did 4 burns and modified(damaged to you and me)my fast pathway leaving me with 1st degree block. Ok for about 6yrs then slowly started getting more and more exercise intolerant ,then noticing that palpations were happening.
Long story short, after numerous monitors treadmill tests change of consultant was finally diagnosed with2;1block with a combination of AF and junction tachy. By this stage was feeling really unwell. PM fitted in Feb 2015 and it took 6months to get my settings sorted. Like Sara I to was going into Wenckebach. The last check was in combination with another treadmill test and the difference has been brilliant, still getting arrhythmias and taking verapamil. I may need another ablation but have 2months to go with the meds.
How I feel now and how I was a year ago are worlds apart, you get your life back and your PM is your new BFF.
Good Luck
Jane x

Thanks Jane x

by CC88 - 2015-10-30 11:10:39

Thanks so much for your sharing to this post Jane. I just had a long chat with my Doc and he is confident that he can catch any missed beats that arise, and will work to tweak the PM to help with any Wenckebach issues that occur.
I am hoping this helps me. I am still iffy it will work. Something I do, look for a negative so when a positive happens its a pleasant surprise :-) I will see soon I guess.
Thanks again Jane

This post is pretty much buried now, but if anyone else has a related story or their experience I would love to hear from them.

CC

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