Recovery Time

settings

by Tracey_E - 2018-02-25 22:27:16

With av block, our atria beats normally but the signal doesn't always get to the ventricles so the pacer makes sure the ventricles beat when the atria does. They come with an upper limit, how high the pacer will pace. A common number to start us with is 120-130. If you are athletic, this is not enough so that may be what's causing the dizziness. Count your pulse when it happens,If it's exactly 120 or 130, then it's a simple fix, they just need to turn up the upper limit. It's normal to take a few tries to get the settings fine tuned for each of us. No two are alike so they start with a good guess. They always adjust in 4-6 weeks once we've healed, the leads have settled in, and the heart has had a chance to get used to being paced. At this time, they can also adjust other settings, like upper limit. Write down when it happens, they can check the reports and confirm that's what's going on.

I would not be concerned, but I also wouldn't push it for now. If it makes you dizzy, either wait until your follow up to try it again or call and ask to be seen sooner. 

Recovery

by 12pretzels - 2018-02-26 03:09:25

You may want to check your blood pressure for the dizziness. I found out the hard way that I get dizzy when my blood pressure is high. I stayed dizzy for months after my PM was put in and didn't realize my blood pressure was causing it.

recovery

by Suhroyoh - 2018-02-26 13:55:25

I am six months post surgery, and I had the same issue you described. What TracyE said is exactly what was wrong. It took three weeks and three different settings to get my pacer to where I needed it for my particular heart rhythm. Don't hesitate to call your pacer clinic, even if you feel like you are being annoying (as I did) because they are very understanding and will be happy to get your settings right. 

I also agree with everything Robin1 said too. Anxiety is the devil in disguise! Listen to yourself, if you feel like you're "not right", get it checked out! You'll feel much better when you do.

Good luck in your recovery!

Thank you all for the advice

by Leadville Bill - 2018-02-27 23:17:54

Thank you all for the reassurance and the advice.  I believe Robin1 was right about the procedure taking a toll on my body.  Just before implanting the pacemaker they did a heart cath on me just to verify no blockage - the discomfort in the femoral artery masks any pain from the pacemaker implant.  When I think about it, some of the low energy depressed feeling I had was very similar to how I would feel the first few days after putting my body through an Ultra Run.  I just needed to know this was "normal" because the doctor was saying I would feel like a "million bucks".  Today, I really feel like I got alot of my energy back.  TraceyE's advice is also exciting knowing that my settings can be custom dialed in.  I was told that the local Metronics Tech comes in once a month and I will see him on Thursday.  Hopefully he can raise my upper heart rate and install some other parameters that will work better for me.  Again, I am happy just to be alive; running is a bonus; and this pacemaker club is invaluable!         

Hi Leadville Bill

by High Voltage - 2018-03-01 17:00:00

I had my pacemaker put in the same day as you! I can’t drive for 2 weeks so not back to work yet.Docs office said I could do walking so I started doing  little and have been increasing distance and speed everyday.So far feel fine.I used to be a runner too and played a lot of basketball so my knees are not up for the running So I  do a  brisk walking for my workout. I do push the walking hard so hope to get back to that pace(no pun intended) soon.

Now I’m to the point of worrying if ai should hold back as I guess I’m not really healed up all the way yet.My doc said all restrictions are off such as raising the arm above the shoulder at 3 weeks.

Just don’t know what level to stay at for the next week as Naturally want to do more.