Dizziness

Had my PM since 2013.  Am having vicious dizzy spells.  Rare, but terrifying.  Feels like the first time I had bradycardia which brought about the implanting of the PM.

.  PM is set at 60.  Does anyone think having it set higher would be helpful?   I have to travel 200 miles each way (snow and wind in the winter) to see my EP, so don't wish to make the trip if not necessary.  I had an interrogation 2 months ago and have regular (quarterly) remote interrogations.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of dizziness?   I also have a condition known as PPPD, which is a very different kind of dizziness.

Also I have changed email providers and cannot access the one tied to this group.  Can anyone tell me how to change to my current email?  Or should I just open another account?

6 Comments

Dizzy spells and PPPD

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-18 21:14:53

From what I can find, PPPD presents itself as a non-spinning vertigo, kinda muddying the water. Now you're getting a new form of dizzy spell?  Is this spinning or non-spinning?

To answer your question, I doubt that increasing your heart rate from 60 to 70bpm will do a lot.  It's a (maximum) 16% increase in blood flow and I don't think that difference is enough to cause your symptoms.  Do you have a neurologist working on you PPPD, with you?  I think I'd go there first.

Seems

by Pacer2019 - 2019-12-19 00:58:46

Like somewhat of a common compliant on this board.

i myself experience not dizziness but light headed ness and am searching for answers .

my first thought has been my heart pumping or not pumping an adequate amount of blood.

my EP interrogated my device and said "your PM is working perfectly "

im set at 60-170...AV node quit on me.

I started thinking arteries .... this week I had a nuke stress test , echo cardiogram and a carotid artery scan ....all were said to be "excellent" - I have arterial schloris so it's always been a concern.

in the new year im still trying to get answers .... nuerological ? Have my head examined (my wife has said I need to for years ).... I tell her I agree !

 

Oximeter

by marylandpm - 2019-12-19 04:28:37

 pick up a oximeter at a drug store and see what your oxygen level is.

 

Oximiter

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-19 22:07:45

That's a good suggestion.  They're available on Amazon for as little as $10.  They're a useful thing to have around anyway.

One more thought

by Gotrhythm - 2019-12-20 15:51:29

Do you take your own blood pressure? If not, you might want to invest in a monitor when you get the pulse-ox.

Dizziness is accompanied by either high or low bp could help you pinpoint what's going on. I think it's a good iidea to check your own bp every now and then whether you are having symptoms or not.

As others have said, I doubt if raising the base setting would help. But remember when they say "your pacemaker is woriking fine" that only means the pacemaker is working as it is programmed to. 

It does not mean the pacemaker's programming is what your heart needs. It also doesn't mean your heart is responding to being paced as it should.

"Vicious dizziness" would be a hard thing to live with. I hope you can get some answers.

Dizziness

by Kimmiee2 - 2019-12-27 10:01:44

I have also been experiencing dizziness off and on daily now. I do not take any meds and bpm always seems normal for me. Thought vertigo it all symptoms do not match then PT said it’s in back of neck. It makes me feel crummy all the time 

I felt better 95 percent better before pm.

Any thoughts or anyone else experiencing this?

 Thanks 

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Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.