Heeeelp! Squeezing in throat...

I recieved my PM two weeks ago after a Holter test showed a sick sinus problem (Mobitz I & II). All went very well with the implant.
Prior to getting the PM, I would get a strange squeezing or pressure sensation in the hollow of my throat (just below the adams apple). I don't get pain in my chest though.
I have had 24 hr pH tests, X-rays, scopes, you name it - all negative. Of course, in readin many of the postings here, after a while they say it must be in your head, anxiety, panic, etc. And I'm open to that possibility...
But I KNOW what I feel! I also had a sporadic cough that would come on briefly; usually after doing something even slightly exerting.
After the PM, I still have this!!! It has happened about 9 times in the last two weeks since getting the PM.
Any suggestions? Any ideas? Any help?

4 Comments

Maybe PVCs

by MSPACER - 2007-05-20 05:05:54

You may be getting a lot of ventricular arrythmia. It is common with sick sinus syndrome. That could cause a funny feeling in your throat. Also, if the pacemaker is pacing you a lot in the ventricle, you are going to feel this in your throat. Ask for an interrogation of the pacemaker to see how much you are being paced in the ventricle. Ideally, it should be as little as possible. They should try to set the pacemaker to pace you as little as possible in the ventricle.

I had problems with the settings that caused tightness in my throat. The tech and doctor set the pacemaker so that I pace now less than 1% of the time in the ventricle. I have not had the tight feeling in my throat since then.

Discomfort

by SMITTY - 2007-05-20 08:05:20

Hello DWard,

First thing I have to say is that I don't buy into that "must be in your head, anxiety, panic, etc." stuff. You know what your feelings were before you got the pacmeaker and they should be better now, not the same and certainly not worse.

You have had your PM for only a couple of weeks which means, I take it, that you haven't had a checkup yet. A pacemaker is implanted usually "with factory settings." The doctor may change some of these ever so slightly to accomodate somethng special that he knows about the patient. Most of them wait until the patient has had the PM for a few weeks before making any significant changes. So, if you haven't had a checkup, I suggest that you call your doctor and simply tell him tht the PM has not made things better, or that it has made your problem worse. If you have had a checkup, then call and ask for another as something is still not right.

Your pacemaker should solve the problem for which it was implanted, no ifs ands or maybes about it.

Good luck,

Smitty

HAD THE SAME THING

by Poppabill - 2007-06-18 05:06:13

Several weeks after my PM was installed, my throat
started aching to the point that food was hard to swallow. Had my GP x-ray the throat and even do a
CAT scan. Could find nothing out of the ordinary.
He then sent me to an otolaryngologist for a barium swallow and that was negative.

Went back to the EP and they found the PM to be
somewhat overclocked and they tweaked the adjustments.
The throat pain went away a few weeks later and hasn't
returned.

Personally, I think getting the PM had a debilitating
effect on me physically and emotionally. I was not sure
the thing would work, got panicky and up tight. Anxiety
can do strange things to you.

Hang in there. The throat problems will go away.

Van

Same symptoms

by Bookmouse - 2012-08-26 05:08:28

I am having the same symptoms you describe, on and off. I get them for a few weeks, then they go away and then come back a few months later. It's quite scary and disconcerting. I think I'll make an appointment with the packing clinic! Hope you're feeling better now.

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