Passing out

passing out

by Tracey_E - 2017-07-09 15:07:05

Did your doctor say that after examining you and looking at the pacer reports and doing blood work, or just after talking? If it's the latter, time to get a new doctor. Not going up high enough on exertion will make us feel bad, not pass out, and you don't need to be over 110 or even 60 to walk across the room so something else is going on.

Have you ever been evaluated for POTS? Not all doctors have a lot of experience with it and symptoms can vary widely but include sudden increases and decreases in both bp and hr. 

Have you had a tilt test to see what your bp does on change of position? The pacer won't let your heart rate get too low, but it can't control bp.

110 is a very low max! Do you know if rate response is on? 

^^^

by Wiredforlife - 2017-07-09 15:12:55

@TraceyE...

I'm stumped. I don't understand some of the terms you are using. I'm gonna research and get back to you.

Oooh!

by Wiredforlife - 2017-07-09 15:39:50

I don't have POTS. I had to see 6 cardiologist before I was referred to an EP. I've had every test you can imagine. None of the cardiologist could find anything wrong with me. Then I saw the EP. He called me on the 2nd day after I began wearing the 30 day monitor and told me too get to the ER immediately and he'd meet me there. I was in ICU for 2 days while he stabilized me enough for my first ablation and PM placement, followed by another ablation 2 days later. My EP is considered to be the 2nd best in my state. He was taught by the #1. I've always had complete faith in him...until now. I take Midodrine for low blood pressure and, until a few days ago, metoprolol for pacemaker syndrome. I may have MS but can't have an MRI to confirm. He's starting me on a new medication for the low BP this wrk. Something designed specifically for MS patients with low blood pressure and pacemakers. Can't even get this med at a pharmacy. I'll have to get it directly from him at his office. He thinks I'm becoming breathless because I need cardiac rehab but that doesn't explain the low bpm while walking. He made some adjustments to the settings. Stuff I don't understand. Changing it from DD something to V V something??? I'm not sure what that means. He also increased my low from 60 to 70. But, the pacemaker captures showed 2 ventricular flat lines. He's not sure what happened but the adjustments should take care of that. I'm completely bewildered. I can't find anything on the internet about flat lining while pacemaker dependent.

^^^

by Wiredforlife - 2017-07-09 20:35:17

@Robin1. Thanks. I'll look into a 2nd opinion, as well as the rehab.

Time out...

by The real Patch - 2017-07-10 18:08:39

I'm not even going to waste my time trying to address all the mistakes I'm seeing here. It is time to find a Cardiologist ((not an EP) and yes I know EPs are Cardiologists). You need to see a compitent doctor and please spare me he's second best, my EP was #1 and damn near killed me. Let me put it this way, if I a layperson can see a ton of red flags in what you've shared, then your doctor is either incompetent or just if too big a hurry to properly treat your condition. You need an MRI, get one, any quality hospital can perform one whether your device is MRI compatible or not. Blood pressure too low...most likely the Metoprolol. Passing out...called syncope, most likely BP is not recovering in time causing postural hypotension. and so on.

Passing out is bad

by Gotrhythm - 2017-07-11 14:15:04

The picture you paint is confusing. But the bottem line is this: if you really disagree with your doctor, or feel he's not listening to you or taking in the whole picture, you need a different doctor.

I mean no disrespect. He's probably an excellant doctor, but nobody knows everything about everything. And even the best doctors can have blind spots.

YOU are the one who is passing out, and no matter how good the doctor, YOU are the one who will live with the consequences of any mistakes he might make.

You are also the one living with the pacemaker. It behooves you to know what your settings are and what they mean. Again, if the settings aren't right for you, YOU are the one who will pay the price.

Still passing out

by Wiredforlife - 2017-09-19 12:49:50

I've lost two jobs this year already. My health is declining. I've been to the ER four times, hospitalized twice. I'm spending the day today looking for a new doctor. He hasn't returned my last nine calls.