Taking the fear out of what comes next

Answers

by betelayne - 2017-03-23 21:40:31

i wish I could help you but my pm is not yet 4 weeks old and I have some of the same questions.My biggest problem is my attitude.I wasn't prepared for this.It just happened .Sometimes I wake in the night and the word comes into my head and I can't sleep because I thought about it.Physically,I'm improving.I am retired so don't have to work and I am beginning to putter around the house again,I can drive now so I get outside although the weather is still cold.Now and then I feel a couple of extra heartbeats.No pain.At first I tired very easily.That has gotten better.I read everything on the Internet and find it confusing.Try not to do it.I have never been out of breath so I don't know if that is normal or not.Check it out by calling your DR's office and let them ask your DR.I was away from home so my cardiologist is 2000 miles away.My GP here doesn't think I need one here as the transmitter sends all the info to him.Well'I said I wouldn't be much help but I am glad I found this site.It helps me a lot.Take care and God Bless.   Betelayne

Hope this helps!

by Narelle - 2017-03-24 03:31:24

Hi there,  I have 3rd degree heart block - congenital, so have had pacemakers since I was 15 years old, now 57 and just had it changed yesterday.  I will try and help you too.  I used to get 1 in 4 beats from the atrium to the ventrical, but now I really dont know it looks like Im pretty much pacemaker dependent.  My atrial lead paces 80% of the time. 

1. Arrythmic Glitch, could just be your pacemaker mode switching.  If its like a k-thump feeling its more likely to be an ectopic beat.  Its like an extra heart beat that is out of rythmm and then the pacemaker kicks in back to normal rythmm.  I feel these when Im stressed, I was told normal people get them when they drink too much coffee.  

2.  I dont know what Angina pains feel like - but if they feel like a lightning strike in your pacemaker box or someone just stabbed you with hot needle - its supposedly nerve pain at the site... (I just posted a question about this)

3.  Blood flow is great, maybe its your body telling you to start moving!  I get hot at night but I think thats probably menopause.. Didnt used to happen. 

4.  All PMs are close to the surface cause they put them in a little pocket of muscle that keeps it in place..  You can see skinny peoples boxes - mine tucks in to the top of my breast, but you see the ridge and feel the connection to the wires..  as Im getting older - you know what - is dropping its getting a bit more obvious.   Im a bit worried  about this new one, seems to be stickout more but could be swelling.  It should settle into place soon.

5.  Are most people full of energy then tired and out of breath - again, is this just adjustment. -  

What happens with me is once I start moving and say walking up a hill... the rate response increases and if I stop suddenly I start puffing and chest is pounding its like my breath hasnt caught up to the rate increase, so I have to wait a bit till it drops down and regulates.   If I keep walking at a measured pace I can keep going for ever.  I get embarrased when Im walking with a friend and talking and they are going a little bit too fast for me, I puff and find it hard to catch my breath..   My advise is do everything in moderation, increase your walking or running speed gently until everything is in sync.. 

6. Some of the terms are a bit complicated - can i assume that most modern PM's (Medtronic Advisa DR MRI) are all RR and do they automatically adjust or do i have to get that set.

Your pacemaker technician would of programmed your pacemaker with a minimum and maximum rate response when you were in surgery and also sensitivity.  When you have your follow up, they will look at the history and make adjustments if necessary.  So keep a record of things your not sure about - or even a diary note of the time and date it happened and what you felt and they can look at the history and see what happened then... a run of arythmia etc.   My cardiologist was a bit concerned about a series of mode switches I had (thats when the atrium starts beating above the set limit and the pm kicks in to keep it stabilised) - I crossed referenced the dates to my diary and could see I was out dancing/partying that night etc.

7. what does the future look like for a PM Owner - will i lead a totally normal life or are there certain things i need to worry about (not magnetic and lifestyle).  

My life has been wonderful, Ive backpacked many times through Asia and India (before kids), Had 2 wonderful children now 23 and 25, travelled alot more over the last 5 years - more of Asia. just came back from 8 months independent travel in Europe, UK and a month in Morocco I basically do everything and more than most normal people.   Excercise - I prefer walking and Yoga rather than very physical activities - but if I had a rate response pacemaker when I was younger and fitter (they didnt have them in 1975), I would definately of been a lot more active at the gym.  Aerobic classes didnt work for me.  I was always told I could do anything - but squash was something that I should avoid. 

The only thing Ive ever had to worry about is the screening at the airport... Dont go through the metal detectors, I did once and a week later my pacemaker stopped.. (could of been coincidence).

Hope this helps...  

Just remember once you get used to it and are not focused on it anymore - you will forget you have one.   

The last time I was on this site was 10 years ago when I had my last pacemaker replacement...

You will be fine,  you are welcome to private message me if I have been helpful and can answer any other questions for you.

Cheers Narelle