Fluttering

Hi PM Members,

I was PM implanted 05/07/18.  Good days & not so good mentally.  My question is...Am I supposed to have these "fluttering" feelings in the middle between my breasts.  It makes me gasp as if I will lose my breath. Is this normal?  The first visit back to the Dr office (one week after plant) with the PM techs said I must be sensitive and if I still have it when I come back (June 14), that they would call someone in from St Jude (my brand of PM).  Thanks for any help.

2 Comments

fluttering

by EilishBow - 2018-06-04 14:16:02

Hey!

i think there is maybe a few things. When I first got my pacemaker implanted it took a long time to find the settings that worked for me. For a long while I could tell every single time when my pacemaker was doing it’s thing or not and it felt unnatural and weird. They told me I had pacemaker syndrome. The internet makes that sound scary but basically it is a broad term for any odd symptoms after having a pacemaker implanted. 

You could also be experiencing anxiety maybe, or just general stress perhaps? I’m sure ur doctors will work it out. But what is important is that ur pacemaker is working and doing it’s job! 

Eilish

Normal?

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-04 14:50:50

I don't think "Is this fluttering feeling normal" is a useful question, is this instance.

First of all let me reassure you. The feelling most likely isn't a signal that something has gone wrong, or that something dangerous is happening.

Some people are fine with the out of the box settings. Some people need their pacemaker settings tweaked to find the settings that are optimal for them.

For some people it takes a while for their hearts to adjust to being paced. Some people really feel what their heart is doing after getting a pacemaker. Some people don't. It's all normal. Nothing is either right or wrong, good or bad.

Although the fluttering feeling is unsettling, I'm sure, try to focus on the fact that it does go away. The more you can keep yourself on an even keel, the better your heart will do.

It sounds like your doctor is on top of this, and will call in a tech if setting changes are needed. Techs have more experience with fine tuning pacemakers, and can often do a better job than doctors can.

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