Thumping feeling on exercise

CRT-D

by DampDog - 2018-02-24 14:08:48

As I understand it, with LBBB historically CRT-D devices have paced both the left and right ventricles simultaneously to “re-sync” the heart due to the delay in the activation of the left chamber. In essence they are both paced at the same time. However, Medtronic for one are now looking at doing it differently. They simply sense the right chamber and only pace the left chamber, unless the right chamber needs pacing for other reasons, bradycardia, etc.

I’m actually a volunteer in a Trial that Medtronic are currently running to see if there are benefits in syncing only the left chamber. (AdaptResponse)

US link, but the trial is also running here in the UK.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02205359

I can’t really comment on the “thumpy-feelings” other than if you’ve been used to sitting there at sub 50bpm and now the device is pacing you to a higher rate, that can feel odd for a while. Also at 3 days in you're still going to be pretty sore and tender

Baggy heart

by Beaks - 2018-02-24 17:19:01

Hey Damp dog, the thumping (or feeling) I'm getting might be like my title, the 'baggy heart' being made to work better. My EF was only 30% so there is some oversize there. I know I'm on full left pacing and the nurse said at first they may run the right the same as its just easier yet I only had 10mins with the pacing clinic before being sent home so didn't really get time to ask, plus he was ramping a test rate up to 80bpm at the time. My resting rate before PM was bottom 40's so maybe for that reason they are pulsing the right as well. The weirdest experience ive had so far is a 70bpm after eating. Like you say though, it's early days and right now I feel like I have a crimped Cornish pasty on my chest!

Good sleep

by Beaks - 2018-02-25 02:02:03

Thanks Robin, I guess the only people that really know what is going on are the ones with these boxes inside them. Like you say though I've had other weird feelings on the surface and stuff but likely just nerves twitching after having people fingering around in my chest for 3hrs. I get really good sleep atm so i wakeup fresh and calm inside, albiet just a bit sore. Just be glad to get this giant plaster off as it's causing more tightness than the surgery itself.

Early days.

by DampDog - 2018-02-25 12:58:27

"The weirdest experience ive had so far is a 70bpm after eating."

It may simply be a case that the rate response needs tweaking. I found it pretty noticable at first, even moving around to move pillows at night would be enough to up my heart rate, Eating is the same, you're moving around without even realising it. I was brady for years and just being paced at a faster rate drove me crazy until I'd become used to it. It takes a while to get your head around it and get used to how the device does it's stuff. Also it takes you're body a while to recover and get used to it. I'd take it with a large pinch of salt if anyone tells you you'll be fine in a few days. It took me months to get used to mine. 

It's tough at first, you tend to sit there feeling for any signs that the device is "doing something" but in time you don't notice it. 

Throat

by Beaks - 2018-02-25 13:10:42

So many things cropping up, I think I just need to except things are going to be different to start with. Today i thought I'd take some really deep breaths while having a short walk and got a tightness in my throat and chest, almost like a restricted feeling. I read on here it might be the way the pulsing leads work, or it the fact I just had heart surgery of sorts and I need to expect recovery to not be a couple of days. You just think the fact they only give you a few hours in hospital after surgery that it's not that serious an operation, but I guess anything involving the heart is.

take it easy

by DampDog - 2018-02-26 12:32:20

To be blunt you need to ease up a little. Everything is still going to be sore and tight from having the device implanted for a few weeks yet. Things need time to heel and it takes a while to get used to how things feel. Following my implant it must have been close to a month before all the brusing came out. When I first tried to jog again I was so sore when I finished I didn't try anagin for 2-3 weeks.

Don't let anyone kid you that it's not a serious operation. I spent close to, two week in hospital fighting an infection fowing my implant. For the majority of people things go to plan but it's still a major procedure even though it's now done routinely.

Just chill, don't push yourself too much at the begining, it will all come good as things heal.

Good luck with it all.

DD

Just Chill

by TT - 2018-02-27 15:27:35

I so agree with DD and the others....I'm 15 days from my device implantation and just trying to be chill and not worry too much has been the best thing for me (and the comments on this site). I'm usually far more active and will get back to it, but for now, some moderate walks have been good. Going to the gym this afternoon for a slow walk on the treadmill and some very light lower body weights. Slow the roll....

Just Chill +

by TT - 2018-02-27 15:38:06

And I'll add: I know everyone is different. I'm coming off 4 weeks of serious A-Fib in December, numerous cardioversions, an ablation procedure 12/20/17, the PM 02/12 (starting with open heart surgery for MV repair 05/16). I feel like me and my heart have been through it....

In agreement about giving it time

by Beaks - 2018-03-01 05:27:25

Yep you are right, straight after PM surgery isn't the right time to start an exercise regimen. 8 days out now I'm feeling much better, the tightness has pretty much gone from my shoulder, my scar has healed nicely and stitches all dissolved, less pain in my chest and hardly any heavy lung feeling. It's unimaginable how much internal bruising has likley been cause by putting in this little box and bunch of wires.

As it is, it's -5c here in the UK so I will start walking again on the weekend once the cold spell has blown through and it's warmer.

Best wishes to all!

Holding back

by High Voltage - 2018-03-01 18:57:02

Hi Beaks it sounds like your doing ok 

I’m at 2 weeks tomorrow and have been walking and taking it slower than usual but fighting the urge to do my normal “fitness walk” pace and distance.

I’ve been fine on my walks so far.The doc didn’t say I had restrictions other than lifting my arm or picking up anything over 10 lbs basically a gallon of milk.

my incision finally doesn’t hurt as much but it still is pretty sore depending on how I move around.

Keep us posted how your progressing !