Pacemaker and Inhaler compatibles?

Hi.  I havent posted in awhile but have a few questions in hope toget a little feedback?  I had a 2 lead pacemaker implanted in november 2016 for sss bradicardia and a-fib.  I have my 6 month check up coming in late august of this year.  My symptoms seem to be coming back like dizziness, confusion, lack of energy.  My pacemaker seems to really get set off, expecially the lower lead a lot when I bend over, like to take the clothes out of the washer...  Is this a bad angle for us pacemaer wearers to use?  Also, I am having a hard time getting a proper inhaler for COPD, that doesnt effect my heart rhythm.  I have bought a few and theyre very expensive only to find out they dont work well at all with my heartrate and pulse and would like some input if anyone else has found this problem and what they are using or an inhaler.  I know this isnt a medical sight, but a little guidance would be great since I cant keep buying them only to put them in a drawer because of the side effects it causes instead of helping my problem.  Im wondering if there are one or two that are known to be more friendly to use for us pacemaker people.  My doctor isnt much help with this question.  He just says its a question for my family doctor?  Also, from reading through these answers on and off, I now am not taking motrin any more and strictly tylenol for my arthritis.  Looks like everyone is in agreement on the sight that Motrin type of pain control isnt a good thing to take for us--thanks!  Ill watch for some responses!

4 Comments

Bending over

by Rhythmstorm - 2017-07-12 17:30:27

I have the same problem. When I bend or lean over, at times, my pacemaker takes off in high speed from 30 seconds to 3 to 4 minutes. Even when I go from a standing position to a sitting position, or even rolloing over in bed it happens, at times. After interrogation I drive home, about 45 miles and it stays in high speed the whole trip home. Don't like it at all but hopefully some adjustments will fix the problem. I have PVCs and occaisional svt that I am taking medicine for but it doesn't seem to help. Probably another med adjustment will help, I hope. I can't say anything about inhalers because I don't use them. Hope you get a positive answer and a good outcome...

Bending over

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-07-12 18:36:53

I am having same symptoms but do not understand how you know the pacemaker is doing anything good or bad?  I have never felt my pm do  anything.

Sorry, but I do not use an inhaler. I do use Flonase spray occasionally for allergies

The Affects of Inhalers

by NiceNiecey - 2017-07-13 03:31:35

Hi Bucky.

I occasionally use an inhaler for asthma relief and mine (prescription Albuterol) has always caused my heart to race a bit and I get a bit shaky - especially at the beginning of a new container or if it's been a while since I last used it.

I agree that you should check with your regular doc but I suspect it's not dangerous and something that you'll build a tolerance for.

 

Wow

by The real Patch - 2017-07-13 13:41:31

Okay, so number one, good for you. Tylenol is the only pain reliever you should be taking without a prescription. The others are a definite no no for heart patients.

 

So the problems you are having could be due to several things. First your pacer may need a adjustment to meet your specific needs. It's not uncommon to need changes in the first yeaqr especially. Second, it could be simple postural hypotension. Just means when you rise up your blood pressure does not respond quickly and as a result you get light in the loafers dizzy, and so on. You just have to learn to stand up or straighten up slowly and use care not to fall. SOme simple things can help this, but do not try without first consulting the cardiologist.

I would suggest if you have a home monitor you  do a download and ask the Cardiologist if they see anything. If you don't have one, ask for an earlier appointment with the Cardiologist.

As for inhalers, You sure you have COPD? They thought I had Asthma for 30 years only to discover it was really Congestive Heart Failure. Still, and I may be wrong, but sounds like you take over the counter inhalers for your condition. You shouldn't take any over the counter drugs, herbs, or inhalers without your Cardiologist's knowledge. They can be bad. I took Albuterol and it made me edgy but worked okay. In fact they administered it to me when I had open heart surgery.

 

You know you're wired when...

You can proudly say you’re energy efficient.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.