Exertion problems and fatigue

Hi - very glad to find this site and just joined up.

had my first pacemaker implanted 12 years ago for SSS and a replacement in January 2017. After my second pacemaker was implanted I felt better but not as good as with the previous one. I just thought it was because I was older and had become quite unfit.

I have been riding my bike and walking a lot and taking the stairs in the last few months to improve fitness. For the last 4 to 6 months I’ve experienced light headed ness, shortness of breath and weakness and heaviness in my arms and legs upon even light exertion. Some days seem to be worse than others. This got so bad yesterday I called my doctor and he told me to go straight to the ED.

i has blood tests, X-rays and an ECG and everything checked out fine - my pacemaker was pacing fine, my blood pressure was ok and my saturation was good. So now I am on a waiting list for cardiac review.

The problem is that when I go for a cardiac review the Medtronic technicians say all is fine because the pacemaker is working.

i started some research here on this site and in a medical journal last night and saw something called “pacemaker syndrome” which causes fatigue, dizziness and hypotension ( my blood pressure gets low although I drink lots of water - last week it was 80 / 60). However I read that pacemaker syndrome is remedied with the implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker and have since read on this site that most with SSS are fitted with two leads — and I’m pretty sure I have two. So that now seems it can’t be the cause.

im seeking advice on how to approach the Medtronics technicians when I go for my review and what questions to ask and suggestions to make to them?

Thank you 

3 Comments

Self diagnosis?

by Selwyn - 2018-10-23 12:58:41

Never a good idea to self diagnose! 

There are many possible causes for your symptoms, including cardiac. Your blood pressure is rather low. 

Technicians are just that. I would present yourself to a good physician if all is fine with the pacemaker settings. 

Kind regards.

 

My experience.

by asully - 2018-10-23 14:57:51

Ask if you have dual chamber pacing.  Read and ask questions.

From my personal experience my pacemaker syndrome was fixed with dual chamber pacing, well at least significantly improved. They added a atrial lead to my first device and played with the settings a lot.  In fact I need to go in to adjust them again.  Selwyn is right, self diagnosis can be dangerous especially with symptoms that could mean a number of things.  Find a good doctor, or two if you have too.

Update

by MereKell - 2019-07-12 04:37:15

it turned out that the function for sensing movement inside my pacemaker was turned off - or rather - never turned on - so I was constantly at a resting heart rate. Felt like a million dollars after this function was turned on plus a few other tweaks to minimise battery depletion.

voila!

You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

Member Quotes

Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!