feel

can anyone tell me what it feels like when the pacemaker fires off - i have pains in my chest put think it may be the pacemaker working.

thanks for the help - i am 3 weeks now with it.

5 Comments

For a short time

by Theknotguy - 2015-11-16 04:11:05

For a short time and during the time they had the voltage set higher on my PM, I could feel it kick off. I'd get a tickle followed by the hard thump of my heart.

After the 90 day period they dropped the voltage. Since then I haven't been able to feel my PM kick off. I've been able to feel the effects of my PM but not the actual electrical stimulus. Unlike an ICD, I only felt a tickle.

If I've read my PM report correctly, they're using 8 tenths of a volt to kick off atrial contractions. So it isn't that much to get everything started.

Hope this helps.

no pain

by SlowBeats - 2015-11-16 05:11:34

I've only had my pacemaker for two weeks. I have no pain but when the PM kicks on it's like a pop, sometimes just one pop, sometimes several. Then I feel the fast beating. If the PM takes off when there is no demand, say due to vibration, that feels really strange like my heart is out of wack, not good but still no pain.

It doesn't really fire off

by heckboy - 2015-11-16 09:11:00

It's not possible to feel the PM engage. What you might feel is your HR pick up. The little charge of the PM is too small to feel and it has no moving parts to feel/hear.

Can you feel pacing?

by Selwyn - 2015-11-17 03:11:15

The vast majority of pacing is without your knowledge.
Sometimes you may get the odd palpitation. It sound that this is what you are experiencing.
Some people can experience a slight pricking sensation over the lead/box junction site. The threshold value may need to be adjusted ( this is the voltage causing the heart to beat).
Others may have some muscular twitching over the chest ( this can usually be stopped by turning the settings to bipolar pacing- so that the return current does not go through the muscle).

It is worth discussing your symptoms with the pacemaker department.

mcarver.........

by Tattoo Man - 2015-11-17 09:11:05


...this , for the majority,is the experience that others have tried to explain..

There is no Big Bang ....the average Pacemaker operates on a very gentle reaction....for many its more like you snoozing in your chair and find that someone has shaken your arm.

PM ownership is,.. for many, a very passive relationship,..

This is fantastic technology...your Cardiac Needs taken care by a silent Good Mate..

Tattoo Man UK

You know you're wired when...

Titanium is your favorite metal.

Member Quotes

Yesterday I moved to a new place in my mind and realized how bad I felt 'before' and the difference my pacemaker has made.