Is this normal?

I had a PM implanted (mode DDDR) nearly 6 weeks ago for Bradycardia with complete block, at 35 bpm.  Before this all started my normal resting heart rate was around 70 bpm, now it is at 80 or above although my IPG basic rate was set at 60.  My problem is that when I lie on my left side I feel a kind of tapping/clicking in sync with my pulse where I estimate the base of the heart is (below the breast slightly to the left).  This continues until I change position.  Since this freaks my out a bit, I simply avoid lying on my left side. What is happening and is it normal?  Does this mean my pacemaker is constantly sending an electrical impulse to the heart, but I only feel it when I lie on my left side, or is that position *causing* the PM to kick in?  I'm so confused...

4 Comments

Been there

by BobbyJohn - 2018-08-03 15:35:50

I totally understand what you are going through. Had this in the beginning and when I talked to my EP about this she acted like I was crazy. I did get and event monitor to record when I was having the sensations like you are describing. Nothing showed up abnormal on the tracing using the event recorder. However, that is an odd feeling and although it has subsided some, I still get the sensations like you are describing from time to time. The event recorder might be a good thing for you to get in order to gain piece of mind. Good luck! 

Tick tock

by AgentX86 - 2018-08-03 16:40:32

Many have reported such things. I think its generally been traced to driving the heart with a higher than normal voltage, common in the first few weeks or months. Talk with the PM tech. There may be something they can do, if not right away perhaps at your next interrogation. Sometimes it takes a while for the heart to get used to pacing.

I have an ICD and same issue...

by BOBTHOM - 2018-08-03 23:57:55

I have an ICD and have the same issue.  Doctors also told me it's in my head.  There are two possibilities, it's either lead placement - either into scar tissue or just next to it, or a device setting - for me partially due to the nightly recalibration which I finally managed to get them to turn off.  Either way, be persistant with the doctors.  If they are of no help call the device manufacturer, they should have a support line.  Mostly they will refer you back to your EP but you may get some information to help your discussions.  That's where I learned about the nightly recalibration and that it could be turned off.  Good luck getting it resolved!

Thanks

by Aviar - 2018-08-08 09:29:51

Thanks for all your suggestions.  At least I will be armed with some info when I go to see my cardiologist about the problem.  I also read in one of the manufacturer's specs that sometimes, if the voltage is too high, the electrical impulse "bleeds" over into the rib muscle causing tiny contractions.  I am also naturally thin Jdavis, so maybe not enough fatty tissue surrounding my heart to insulate it?  In any case I hope this can be resolved because I sure don't want to have to live with this for the rest of my life! It does worry me a bit that the doctors/techs seem to blame the patient with the excuse that it's all in your head and/or anxiety, when they really just don't know what to do about it.

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