Not being able to sleep

Jus wondering if any of you that have had a pacemaker placed if you have or had any sleeping trouble afterwards? Before the doctor caught my problem I was sleeping like a baby at night but that could have been because my heart was not getting the blood flow and not send out enough to my body. So basically what I am asking is if you have any hints or tricks to getting a good night rest? Anything over the counter given? 

Not having to go to your cardiologist to really have a good over view of options I need to look into? 

Thanks! 

JM

4 Comments

That Depends

by Grateful Heart - 2018-01-05 20:26:02

Is having a PM on your mind or do you think you are not able to sleep due to a higher and more steady heart rate?

Grateful Heart 

Essential oil diffuser helps me

by LondonAndy - 2018-01-06 05:33:45

I am not normally somebody who goes for natural therapy type things, and to be honest I am usually a bit dismissive, but I am learning not to be.  I bought a diffuser a while ago, and have been amazed at how Olbus Oil helps with a blocked nose when I have a cold, and Lavender Oil helps with sleeping.  I sometimes mix dfferent oils and that works fine too.

Sleep

by Sweetbjm - 2018-01-06 11:15:12

JM- Your situation sounds very much like my situation.  I am 8 days post PM implant and I find that I can only sleep on my back, and I do not sleep well on my back.  I'm not a big pill popper, but on two different nights I have taken an over-the-counter "sleep aid" pill and it worked great.  I didn't take one last night and got about 3 hours of sleep. Nothing else (diffuser, etc.) has helped me, yet. I can't wait to be able to sleep on my sides again where I know I will get some great sleep. 

Yeah, the first few weeks are hard

by Theknotguy - 2018-01-06 11:37:57

Yeah, the first few weeks are hard.  You have the trauma from the implant, then the changes due to the pacemaker.  Then some people are sensitive to the higher voltage they use on the pacemaker at first.  Not to mention things feel differently because you now have a consistent heartbead.  

For me, the first help was when they lowered the voltage on the pacemaker.  I'm one of those people who can sometimes feel the electrical "tickle" from the pacemaker activating the heartbeat.  Second help was when the swelling went down over the implant site.  It took me three years before I could turn to the left side because the implant site was so sensitive.  

So, eventually, things do settle down and you get back to regular sleep patterns.  

Oh, and you might want to investigate if you have sleep apnea.  Some people do, others don't but it's a question to ask. If you do, and it's been undiagnosed, sometimes the pacemaker can exacerbate the sleep apnea symptoms.  

Hope things return to normal for you soon.

 

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