Pain

Something's wrong here

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-06 17:30:44

Why are you being paced in the ventricles if your issue is SSS? Constant pain is not good. If they're not taking this seriously, you're right to seek other help. Ventricular pacing should not be painful (my PM is VVIR, no atrial pacing or sensing).

Pain

by Ddefalco326 - 2019-12-06 20:23:25

AgentX86, I will ask that question. The EP originally told me that he wasn’t even going to use dual leads, but then day of surgery I was informed it would be dual. When I saw the EP before surgery, he stated that he changed his mind. At that point, I didn’t question it, I figured, he knew best. At the interrogation, the tech said I was ventricular pacing at 1%, atrial was over 69%. What questions should I ask? 

Ventricular pacing

by Gemita - 2019-12-06 23:12:33

Ddefalco326,

I have dual chamber PM and am predominantly atrial paced (98%). When my pacemaker senses an atrial tachyarrhythmia like AF, Flutter, SVT, or Atrial Tachycardia it switches modes and starts pacing in the ventricles so it does not track what is going on in the atria.  My limited understanding is that this should help us to feel less symptomatic and prevent what is happening in the atria (e.g. chaotic rapid pacing) from affecting the ventricles.  You say you are only 1% paced in ventricles so this is minimal and I cannot see how it could be causing your constant chest pain if you are sensitive to ventricular pacing ? 

I can sorta understand V-pacing for AF...

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-06 23:37:04

If it really is just V-pacing (no atrial pacing at all), I can understand some discomfort as it changes modes (as I said, I'm V-only pacing 100% of the time with no problems). I can see where going in and out of AV synchronization could be uncomfortable, particularly if one is exercising at the time.

However, D Defalco said his only problem is SSS. I'd want to find out exactly what my issues are and why I'm being paced as I am.  I'm the kind of guy who wan't to understand how everything works, though.

AgentX86

by Gemita - 2019-12-07 00:51:29

Yes I agree with what you say, Denise has some unanswered questions, but if I had continuing intense chest pain I would be inclined to head to ER to try to get this under control first.  Ongoing chest pain should never be ignored.

Thank you

by Ddefalco326 - 2019-12-07 13:24:12

I so appreciate your input. I am new to all of this. I was diagnosed in August, pm in Sept. All I knew was that my hr was dropping into the 30’s quite frequently and also having Tachycardia. Was told I could wait until I started passing out, so I figured why wait. I cant wait to see the new practice as I don’t have much faith in these drs. Thank you all again.

Denise

V-pacing with SSS

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-07 14:03:48

Gemita, I agree.  I wasn't trying to downplay the pain, rather the oppostite.  Constant, or even intermittent chest pain has to be investigated ASAP.  If doctors blow you off, find another team.  Either they fix it, at least explain it, or bye-bye. If they can only explain it, find someone who can fix it.  There is no reason to live with chest pain.

Denise.  You gotta be kidding me.  Wait until you start passing out?  Really?  That doctor shold have his license yanked.  What happens if you happen to be driving or at the top of a flight of stairs?  Wake up around a tree (or a pedestrian) or looking up at your foot sticking out of your ear? I can understand why you don't have much faith in these doctors.  Trust me, good, even great, ones are out there. This is your life, we're talking about.

Pain is always real. Always. Always. Always.

by Gotrhythm - 2019-12-07 16:24:01

You started your post, "I know I'm a hypochodriac but..."

You know whether you're getting upset over a very minor pain or not. If you feel intense chest pain when you exercise, you do. And you know you do. And you know chest pain is a symptom that always needs to be taken seriously. Sometimes the cause of the pain is serious. Sometimes not. Either way, hypochondria isn't relavent.

Let;s be clear: "Hypochondria" is a label doctors (or others) throw out when a patient becomes upset that they aren't being taken seriously--or when patients--especially female patients--dare to argue with a doctor who is dismissing their symptoms.

Repeat after me: What I feel is always real. The only question is how to correctly interpret what I feel. Sometimes I can do that for myself. Sometimes I need an expert, i.e. doctor's, opinion.  Someitmes I need help knowing if I do need a doctor's opinion.

In this case, you do need a knowledgeable doctor's help. Experiencing extreme pain when being paced in the ventricle does happen--it happens to me--but you shouldn't take a tech's word for it. As Agent86X says, it's a bad sign. It shouldn't be allowed to go on.

I'm glad you are ditching this practice. You have an unusual problem and assembly line medicine is not going to work for you. You can't meekly accept whatever is said. That means you're going to need to advocate for yourself. And that means stop labeling yourself as a hypochondriac. You are as worthy of being listened to as anyone else.

Gotrhythm-Thank you

by Ddefalco326 - 2019-12-07 17:28:30

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I am listening to all of the advice that has been given. I do know the pain is real. Unfortunately, I live with chronic pain due to being hit by a car 10 yrs ago. I just didn’t expect a pacemaker to cause me more pain. Actually, I will admit that I have been in more pain and discomfort since this surgery. I thought I was supposed to feel better, but that has not happened yet. I hope to get more answers on Monday, and will see the new doctors on the 18th of Dec. thank you all

One more thing...

by Gotrhythm - 2019-12-08 15:01:57

When they say, "your pacemaker is working fine" that means the pacemaker is working as it is programmed to.

It doesn't mean the pacemaker's programming is ideal for your heart.

Here's the question to ask next:  Is there something about how my heart responds to being paced that could be causing this pain?