EP issues or PM issues?

New here, I have had my pacemaker for 4 years now. I went most of the time after, with no insurance coverage as none of my jobs offered it. I have noticed the last 7-8 months that I am becoming more and more out of breath upon exertion (to the point I gag) I am exhausted all the time, have what feels like heart flutterers, am gaining weight (I eat decent, stay active etc) and my legs are always swelling. In short, I'm miserable. I finally got insurance and my first stop was my EP.  When I described my symptoms to him, his first thought, was that I am going back into AVNRT, and ordered a stress test. The tech that ran the test was terrible to me. He told me he didnt think anything was wrong, I am just overweight and out of shape and that is why I feel like this. He repeated this over and over.  5 days later I went back to my EP for my follow up. He said the stress test was inconclusive, and said maybe my chest is the problem, maybe it is causing my rate response to kick in early (mind you my chest size has always been the same and this is a new problem). He stated that after turning it down, if it fixes my issue and I feel bad, he will move my device.  If I feel fine, it stays and if it fixes nothing I will get a holter monitor. Now I feel terrible all day, every day, I can barely walk down my clinic halls without gettind tired and even more out of breath, and I am also having the same skipped beats on occasion, but now, I have a single forceful beat when I am sleeping. So hard it wakes me up.  Any suggestions? Or anyone having similar issues?  I am so tired of feeling alone in this. 

5 Comments

get a second opinion

by Tracey_E - 2017-08-03 12:09:55

I'd get fresh eyes to look at everything. Have you had an echo to see what your heart function is? Also can't hurt to go to your GP for a full work up, don't assume it's cardiac. Weight gain could be thyroid, swelling legs are signs of decreased heart or kidney function. Regardless of what is going on, you need a doctor who listens to you and responds, not one who writes you off and leaves you feeling worse. Don't settle for that treatment, not all docs are like that. 

Blood work

by scrubtech - 2017-08-03 12:15:12

I guess I should have mentioned that I did have a full work up with my labs, everything came back pristine.  I never had an issue with my EP until the follow up on Monday, I have tried to give my body time to adjust to them turning my rate response down.....but I feel like a zombie all the time now. I am definitely doing my research on other EP's in my area. Prior to the stress test not showing anything, he talked about an echo, and a holter monitor. Now he acts like nothing is going on.  But there is no way any of this is normal. 

Thank You

by scrubtech - 2017-08-03 13:32:11

Thank you both for responding. I am looking for a new EP.  Surgery to move my pacemaker is the last thing I want.  And I dont want a physician who is just going to keep brushing me off.  I had come to terms with the permanent state of exhaustion prior to the skipped beats.  That made me know something is off. 

Robin1, I have never treated a single one of my patients like I was treated.  I worked in surgery for 7 years and am back in a clinical setting. I was in complete shock when he started going off on me.  He said I see a junctional tachycardia, but it is warranted because you're overweight. (I am not even in plus size clothes, and if I were, why is it his business to tell me that it isn't okay, and does he do this to actual plus sized patients?)  I did report him, and they were in shock, but I happen to know he has been there at leat 15 years, and will likely get a slap on the wrist.

Leads

by sgw2 - 2017-08-03 23:19:41

Could it be that your lead detached? I get forceful beats when my sinus node doesnt fire. Worth getting new eyes on your situation. Good luck

Have your thyroid checked

by BThankful - 2017-08-10 02:52:10

I am 52 and have had some similar symptoms. Turns out my thyroid was on the fritz. First it was to hyperactive, then it went hypoactive. Each came its own unique symptoms. I thought it was menopause or some new issue with my heart. I'm on thyroid meds now and it seems to be helping with most of the issues.

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