Sensitive to sensing and threshold test

Hello all after 2 years I thought that I had stopped having the anxiety and panic attacks and had finally adjusted to having a PM. Recently however I had my yearly device check and when they did the sensing and threshold tests I felt I was about to pass out. This brought back the fearful memories of going into asystole that I had in hospital before the PM was fitted under emergency. It was not helped by learning that as well as being pacemaker dependent and 100% ventricular paced I also was now being paced 14% atrial an increase from 1%-2% 2 years ago. I have now been requested to see my GP - "to explore my issues regarding anxiolytics for the experience at the time of pacemaker implant" Anyone have an idea what this may actually mean? Thanks regards Alan


4 Comments

what does it all mean

by Tracey_E - 2018-11-29 08:26:24

Sounds like your doc thinks you might be a little PTSD over getting the pacer. You aren't the first. It's up to you if you want to follow up or not. Checks are 5 minutes a year, how do you feel the other 364 11/12ths of the time?

Many of us pace 100%, that's pretty much the norm if we have av block. A lot of us also pace atrial, and it can increase over time. As long as we feel good, the numbers don't much matter. There is no ideal amount of pacing, whatever it takes is a good number. Dependent is just a word, don't give it that much power. We are dependent on computers every time we get in a car or plane and no one thinks twice and a lot more would go wrong if they malfunctioned than the pacer. First of all, pacers don't suddenly fail, but even if it did, we'd just feel bad until we could get it fixed. Dependent doesn't mean we'd die if it stopped. I know it's easier said than done, but don't overthink it. 

Same here

by MAPacer - 2018-11-29 21:19:16

I dislike this as well.  The clinicians will give me a heads up when they are about to test.  I find it helpful.  I am finding the mental part of getting my pacemaker tougher than the physical part.  

Sensitive to sensing and threshold test

by 3degree - 2018-11-30 03:43:22

Thanks for the comments.(Mapacer) - A lot of people on this site have had trouble with anxiety when first having a pacemaker or ICD. It takes a while to adjust mentally. I recognise that the tests are only once a year to put up with and are very useful to us and mostly no trouble at all - Thanks (Tracy_E) 

Regards Alan (3DEGREE)

Escape rate

by Zanneblake - 2018-12-01 00:38:24

I have the same sudden light headed feeling when they check my pm 

ask them what your escape rate is. I don’t have one so I feel faint very quickly  with check  

I have lots of anxiety after 4 months and I go back to work next week. Not looking forward to it  

Also having depression issues .  

Heart surgery is no joke as well as needing a pm as a result of complications during surgery  

all I can say is I pray and meditate to get thru the hard times  

 

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I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.