Another Newb with a story...

Hi. I'm 47, and had a Pacer put in at the end of December from Bradychardia (Which I'm pretty sure I've had for at least 20 years). Symptoms that led me to seeing a Cardiologist were light headed/dizzy, fatigue, muscle chest pains and slow heart rate. I did a stress test and took 13 minutes to achieve 150 rate and sleeping rate was low 30's. So, the Pacer was put in (Main setting not to drop below 60). It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride as they've had to adjust it multiple times after tachycardia issues that were never there before (They don't see a lot as the settings are for reading over 160, but I rarely got over 130), a trip to the ER for an 8 hour A-Fib event ending in a zap 3 weeks ago (Now on Metoprolol) and still have this feeling of a gas bubble/flip flop/palpitation (PVC???, which always preceeded a tachycardia event until the latest adjustment) under the sternum when bending over, standing from seated position or after exercise (Which they keep telling me I'm fine to do, yet almost every time I treadmill I have the palpitation issues during or when finished). I started on a C-Pap two weeks ago but am still sleeping terrible (4.5 hour nightly average) as the mask and equipment in general are taking time to get used to. I have overall felt pretty good since the last adjustment other than the palpitation issue (At least not tachy now). But over the last 3 nights have noticed when I roll over in bed my rate shoots up 20-30 beats (And had a 2 minute, 150 rate late last night). Then today, every time I stand, my rate shoots to 85 and every time I walk, my rate goes to 120 (Not over) within 20-30 steps accompanied by a less intense version of that palpitation feeling under the sternum. This is odd for 2 reasons. My rate has always struggled to go up... And why suddenly would it, especially under no real activity level? They keep telling me that other than my Bradychardia, my heart is healthy. But I never before had the issues that have presented since installing the Pacer. I'm trying to stay positive, but starting to wonder if they're missing something, and if they're ever going to get me back to normal?

Anyway... Thanks for the Soapbox. I have read a lot of valuable information here before deciding to post this. It really is a great site!

7 Comments

Thanks for sharing

by jimbeam - 2017-03-03 23:56:02

I am a bit older (51), had mine (pm+defib) put in 2015 - was in a coma for 3 weeks - tough times..

Fortunately, fully recovered now - miracle of modern medicine!

Cheers!

Thanks Iron Will

by CrockerNut - 2017-03-04 00:05:01

Thanks Iron Will... You sound like my wife (That's a compliment)! I don't do all the gadgets (pulse monitor and sleep study is all), but am definitely guilty of overthinking on this. Anxiety has become an enemy to be sure. There's been a lot over the last few months between the Pacer, sleep apnea process, carpal tunnel surgery and ear issues that also might require surgery. My stress level is at 11 to be sure. It's nice to know there are local people on here. I have little information to offer being so new, but will keep reading and seeking great advice. Your response was EXACTLY what I needed to hear! Thanks again!

c-pap issues

by dak - 2017-03-04 14:52:59

Fortunately I had my sleep study last June and got used to it well before my Pacemaker...implanted feb. 17/2017...My pacemaker is for tachydacaria (mispell)... As far as c-pap issues...during first month I changed style 3 times...until I found one that didn't feel like I was the woman in Iron Mask!! Make your supplier show you some other styles...mine trotted out the first two like they were all he had.  Luckly my sister came home with a version that worked for me and I showed it to him and sure enough he had it....Go Figure!

 

Rate Respone?

by BillH - 2017-03-04 21:15:18

Is rate response turned on or the rates too high?

 

Rate response is used to speed up the HR during activity if the heart does not do this naturally. But if it is turned up too high then you can "racing" heart rate from low leverls of activity.

 

jimbeam

by CrockerNut - 2017-03-05 15:18:12

Thanks jimbeam. I am glad to hear that you pulled through and are doing well!

dak

by CrockerNut - 2017-03-05 15:22:13

Thanks dak... I'm getting a new mask this week I hope. The nose pillow type I have makes my nose raw and sore, so hopefully this new one will do the trick. I'm also still trying to get used to having things around my head as I sleep and I might have to go to a chin strap as I find most of my events happen from the mouth opening up and the C-Pap air going in the nose and right out the mouth with my lungs getting nothing. I'm only two weeks in so I'm sure I'll get there.

BillH

by CrockerNut - 2017-03-05 15:29:37

Bill... They did have mine set up with a few different things like occasionally raising to about 73-75 for a short bit so that it didn't rest at 60 for long periods. But after a multi PVC event that recorded after being on the treadmill, they took that off so now it just won't go below 60. Sounds like my settings are about sa basic as you can get at this point as I'm not even sure there's a max setting now? I feel good with it as the very noticable PVC's and tachy events are all but gone. This latest sensation is new and sudden, but I'm really leaning on it being anxiety. 

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