Still tired

bouncing back

by Tracey_E - 2020-05-02 12:19:12

It's a minor surgery, but it's still a surgery that the body needs time to recover from, plus the time before we were diagnosed. It can take some time to get our old strength back. Also, beta blockers can make us tired, but that tends to get better after a few weeks to a few months of being on them. 

Coping

by Yaz - 2020-05-02 12:25:28

Thanks Tracey, how long did it take for you to get back to normal if there is such a thing!

Coping

by AgentX86 - 2020-05-02 15:17:52

Recovery time is highly dependent on the individual, reasons for the PM and, of course, your general condition and health. If you were out of condition,  perhaps because you've needed a PM for some time, it'll take longer that someone in good shape already. The same goes for general health.  Even two similar people can vary a lot. You can't tell anything about your recovery by comparing yourself to someone else.

Some of us were being held back so much by our heart's condition that we're better almost instantaneously. Others will take longer to get the full benefit.

Thak with your EP and have them do some optimization on your PM. That might help. Also, the beta blocker may be causing you a lot of trouble. Have them try another. Some are quite sensitive to metoprolol. Some will get over it in a few weeks. Some won't. Ask.

Back to Normal - post PM install

by Montanan - 2020-05-02 20:35:31

Agree with other comments, depends on the individual and I doubt that there is any one set answer to this question.  What took quite a bit of time is getting to the point where it was clearly evident that I was in dire need of a PM.  A Complete Heart Block diagnosis will get that ball rolling quickly.  A week after I became aware of my Complete Heart Block issue, I was in the hospital getting my chrome hockey puck with wires installed.  Gotta admit, it was an interesting experience.  Only after affect I noticed was the obvious soreness of having some foreign object  inserted in an available slot directly beneath my collar bone.  I was requested to remain overnight to ensure everything was operating as intended - this included an xray or two (I don't recall the number).  I felt some soreness in the immediate area of the incision and the space that the device occupied, but within a week that disappeared.   I've been lucky in that I've not really experienced any kind of shoulder soreness in the nearly 6 years my PM has been with me but I can certainly understand the concern folks might have with any kinds of pain felt in the shoulder area.   My only suggestion would be if the soreness persists, have your cardiologist or other qualified medical person have a look.    The old saying 'better safe......' holds true. 

cheers

what's normal?

by Tracey_E - 2020-05-03 10:23:11

It's hard to say for me because I am congenital so never had a whole lot of stamina before I was paced, and the last two years before surgery I didn't do much of anything. I woke up in recovery feeling super charged. I was seriously deconditioned but still felt a million times better than before. It probably took me a good year to get in shape.