Not Sure

Hello

by Bostonbionic - 2016-08-06 07:21:44

You are experiencing panic attacks and anxiety which is normal after having a pm put in. But remember it is doing its job but may need tweaking by a doctor if you are concerned. Ask them to explain the readings to you. I would insist on a 24 hour hotter monitor so you can see what your heart is doing. It takes a few months for your heart to adapt to a PM so you will experience loads of unwanted symptoms. Check what settings you have and if any self tests can be switch off which won't effect it's function. We are all here to support each other so always ask. Someone on here may offer good advice I know from my experience it's helped me.

liz uk

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2016-08-06 08:26:15

It's a minor surgery,but it's still a shock to the body both physically and emotionally so it can take some time to heal. It's normal to be tired the first month or two, esp if you are in the heat all day. 

Have you tried ice for the pain? I found that worked better than anything. Also, I got more relief from plain ole Tylenol than ibuprofen or something stronger, and it has fewer side effects. 

The sudden racing, ask them if rate response is turned on. If it is, see if they'll turn it off. Rate response sense movement and raises the heart rate. This is great if your rate doesn't go up like it should but can compete with your natural rhythm if you don't need it. 

When you had the tilt table test, did your bp drop? That often goes hand in hand with heart stopping but it is treated separately. Heart stopping is fixed with the pacer, bp drops are treated with diet modifications and sometimes medication. 

Have you had a sleep study? They haven't figured out the connection, but a high percentage of people with heart conditions also have sleep apnea. That could be contributing to the neverending fatigue. 

Try to think of this as a bump in the road. You had 15 years of dealing with both symptoms and lack of concern from doctors. Now, you have a doctor who pays attention and a diagnosis with a fix. You still have some healing to do, the pacer settings likely need fine tuning (normal!), and perhaps rule out anything secondary going on, but overall you are on the right track now and through the worst of it. If you have questions, if you want to chat, please continue to reach out to us. Our journeys are all different but everyone here is in the same boat. 

Recovery takes times

by Jo G - 2016-08-07 00:52:21

I had mine done in January and sometimes still have wicked pain.   Some of it is from scarring and some just because there's a foreign object in your body.   I've found keeping the site moisturized with oil helps immensely.   

Your heart probably isn't actually racing or the pm spittle luck in.   In all likelihood is a panic or anxiety attack.   You know what used to set you off before and get all the symptoms except the passing out.   I've been told it's normal ... bit wicked understand.

If it's all too much,  contact your EP and ask for suggestions.

Good luck! 

Recovery

by judyblue - 2016-08-10 21:55:35

I too experienced a lot of frustration with my recovery. My pain did not subside. This led to a severe depression. Someone finally told me the pm could be sitting on a nerve. After 3 cardiologists I found an EP that would move it. That happened a month ago. The neuropathic pain has greatly subsided. I'm down to one pill from 4. I'm still have pain from the incision. Our recoveries are all different and for many of us we need to accept a "new normal". I wish you the best. This site was a life saver for me so keep posting. 

Judyblue