Insomnia

Two things

by Theknotguy - 2019-10-14 11:16:16

There could be two things causing problems for you.  Am not saying they are the problem, just could be. 

1) Voltage on your pacemaker is still set high and the initial shock is waking you up.  You can check with your pacemaker tech on that. 

2) Possible sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea goes hand-in-hand with heart problems and maybe your sleep apnea was masked by the slow heart rate.  

And yes, after the first three months of getting my pacemaker I was wakened frequently.  High voltage was the first problem.  Second, I was getting a lot better blood flow and wasn't as tired.  

Hope you can find something that helps.  

INSOMNIA

by Gemita - 2019-10-14 12:03:34

Hello Paloma,

I found it extremely difficult to sleep when I first got my pacemaker because I was not used to having a steady heart rate of 70 bpm at night.  I felt as though I was running a marathon.  I felt over hot and wide awake and it took around 6 months for me to feel comfortable again.  I now fall asleep much faster and stay asleep longer without the rapidly falling heart rates I used to experience just before I drifted into sleep.  Crashing heart rates used to trigger atrial ectopics and then these always deteriorated into Atrial Fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response.  I used to have many a sleepless night.

Four months is not very long and you could still be adjusting.  Did you suffer from insomnia before pacemaker ?  If not, then I would suggest you go back to your EP/Cardiologist for their advice. They may be able to refer you to a sleep consultant to get to the root of your problem if it is not pacemaker related.  Good luck

Thank you

by Paloma - 2019-10-14 12:27:55

Thank you for your help!

It´s good to know that others experienced the same.

I did have ocasional insomnia but since having my pacemaker i have it every night.

I´m able to rest only when i take a sleeping aid (previously i didn´t take any medication).

I will wait a few more weeks and hopefully my body/rhythm will adjust before contacting my cardiologist again.

Sleep post pacemaker

by Gotrhythm - 2019-10-14 14:50:42

Before I got my pacemaker, I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. so I forgot how to go through the normal stages of falling asleep felt like.

After the pacemaker I had to "learn" how to fall asleep again. Having more energry than I had had in years, I also had to relearn what normal tired and sleepy felt like.

Once figured out the problem, it didn't take long--only a a couple of months--to relearn healthy sleep habits.

Hint: it's best not to rely on sleep aids for more than a night of two. Better to get some relaxation tapes and relearn how to wind yourself down. Do be aware that it's normal to need up to 20 minutes to fall asleep.

Also, as Knotguy says, sleep apnea is pretty common among those with heart issues. It's worth asking your doctor about.

same here

by dwelch - 2019-10-14 23:00:43

I had a sleeping rate in the 30s and after the pacer I also had to learn to fall asleep again for lack of a better term. 

It is part of the process, you will adapt.  We got really used to what we had and the pacer makes it different/better and we have to get used to that.  It is all for the better.