Anyone have random tachycardia episodes

Hey guys, I just got my pacemaker fit in almost 3 weeks ago and I've healed fine but I have really weird symptoms that I didn't have before. My heart rate is still a little wonky and it fluctuates between 60-90 throughout the day. Also, when I go to sleep, I end up waking up abruptly and scared because my heart rate is over 100 more like 120 and I have palpitations. I had my pacemaker interrogated three times and it's workng perfectly fine they're saying it's my own pacemaker doing this. Is this all recovery from surgery? I'm wondering if my heart rate will ever normalize once my heart is used to having a pacemaker. Also, just to add, I have a pacemaker for sinus arrests so I'm hardly ever pacing. The technician said I haven't even used my pacemaker yet.

6 Comments

healing

by Tracey_E - 2017-09-15 20:32:55

Things should level out and feel normal in a few weeks! It takes the heart some time to adjust to having wires in there. Also, we tend to be much more aware of our heart rate for a while after, things it did before but we didn't notice. This, too, goes away.

Is it happening at the same time every night? There is a setting that has it do a self check. They set it to do it at night so theoretically we'll sleep through it. It can be turned off if that's the culprit. 

Felling better

by Bela - 2017-09-15 20:38:27

I believe we all go thru the same feelings but you will feel better in a few weeks.  

Tachycardia at night.

by Selwyn - 2017-09-16 15:24:29

I expect if you were not having tachycardia at night prior to your pacemaker there is no reason to have these now. It is worth telling yourself this. 

If you wake up suddenly ( and unexpectedly) there is a tendency to have a surge of adrenalin ( ephedrine)  which results in a tachycardia. Anxiety producing similar symptoms. 

On the other hand if you are calm, asleep with sweet dreams ( whoever she may be), and you find your palpitations waking you, then you make want to consider having some monitoring, or try seperate beds! 

There can be none of us that have not experienced increased anxiety after having a pacemaker. Once healing takes place, and the fine adjustments are made, there is no reason as to why you should not resume your sporting activity.  If you search this site, you will see lots of people taking part in sporting activity. Well, I am off for a bit of ballroom dancing now.. I will just have to pace myself.  

Selwyn

Hit the reset button

by Gotrhythm - 2017-09-16 16:36:35

I agree with what everyone else has said about giving things time to settle down.

In the meantime, since you have been assured that it is your heart's own natural pacamaker that is causing the tachycardia, you might want to look at what you can do to calm down your autonomic nervous system.

Right now, your autonomic nervous system is like a smoke alarm that's too sensitive and it keeps going off every time you use the toaster. Meditation, yoga, the Serentiy Prayer, hypnosis tapes, avoiding caffiene and other stimulants and herbal teas (check that they are compatible with any medications you take.) All can help your autonomic nervous system to "reset" itself.

Ballroom dancing is also good. :-)

 

NO one addressed this...

by donr - 2017-09-17 11:35:04

..,your HR going between 60-90 during the day.  I assume that you "Monitor your HR" during the day - also that your base rate in the PM is set at 60.  As everyone above said, you are far more aware of what your heart is doing now, so react to it.  One thing you don't realize is that for most hosts the base rate set into your PM is much lower than your normal rate under the least activity.  MOF, at 60 BPM, you probably sit at that rate only while asleep or sitting very still & calm in a chair.  All you have to do is literally raise an arm & your HR increases.  Get up & walk to the kitchen, bathroom, etc & your HR will go to 90 very easily.  Maybe even over 100! Be watching a horror flick on the Boob Tube & it can jump to nearly 120 when the bad guy w/ the chainsaw surprises the sweet young couple parked on lover's lane in the dark.  That, BTW, is a result of Selwyn's ephedrine in action - just doing its job (on YOU, not the guy w/ the chainsaw)!

Donr

same girl

by katherine288 - 2017-09-21 22:21:07

I'm 17 and got my pacer implanted  just over two years ago. I've had issues with waking up due to my heart racing also. My EP said it was normal and not to be worried. I also noticed that when I would switch positions (sitting to standing, etc) my heart would pound. Like to the point that others would notice my chest pounding. I don't know your size obviously but for me, it's due to the fact that I am very tall and slim with a low BP. It happens less often then when I first got it but still occurs. 

 

(sorry i don't know if that helped at all i just signed up for this club haha)

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

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