Question

SOB

by AgentX86 - 2020-11-23 22:51:46

Hi Maggie, welcome to the club.  You don't give us much information to go on.  Did you have a pacemaker before, replaced by the CRT or is this your first PM?  Do you know anything about your condition and why you needed a pacemaker?  I assume, since you have a CRT, that you have some sort of cardiomyopathy, perhaps heart failure? 

Your probem may just be a simple adjustment or you may have an infection or perhaps something happened during the surgery.  If you haven't called your EP, do it ASAP.  If it gets worse, head to the ER.  This may be nothing or might be a major problem (or anything between).  This is exactly the sort of thing that your medical team needs to know about.  Don't be shy about demanding attention.  If they tell you not to worry, have them explain exactly what's wrong and don't let them blow you off without a good explanation. 

Surgery and recovery

by Maggie13 - 2020-11-23 23:14:53

25 years ago I found out that I had a Left Bundle Branch Block. I was told there was no treatment so not to worry. For the last few months I have been getting really tired at work for no apparent reason. My primary care physician referred me to a cardiologist. I had an echocardiogram, stress test, ultrasound and was told that I had an ejection fraction percent of 40. I then had a heart cath (no heart disease) but told that I would need a CRT pacemaker. I had the pacemaker inserted on Friday. Since then I've just had strange sensations in my chest, obviously from the pacemaker. A little chest heaviness off and on, a full feeling in my throat, a little breathless. I'm worried. All this has happened so fast.

A little

by AgentX86 - 2020-11-23 23:22:19

If it's only a little chest heaviness and a little short of breath, there is probably inothing to worry about this early.  I thought you were talking about major SOB.  You'll likely have a lot of strange sensations for a while but if you're worried, you really have to contact your cardiologist's office.

You really should have an EP, perhaps in addition to your cardiologist.  If you're heart is in good shape (plumbing is OK) there is probably no reason to see a cardiologist.  An EP makes more sense (and EP is a cardiologist that specializes in the electrical aspects of the heart). 

CRT

by PacedNRunning - 2020-11-24 01:42:52

Maggie- CRT is to basically to get your heart out of the LBBB pattern and make your heart work more in sync.  The goal is 100% pacing even if your own heart can beat without a PM. Some people rely on the pacemaker 100% and can't beat without it. Yours is different in that the PM is there to work 100% to keep your heart in sync.  The reason I'm saying this is because it may take time to get use to pacing all the time. Your heart is working differently now than it was use to.  Paced beats are definitely stronger than non paced beats in my opinion.  In the beginning they have things dialed up a little until the leads settle and then they will turn things back after the healing process is complete. So hopefully after this you will feel it less and perhaps get use to it. I feel for you. I was super sensitive to pacing in the beginning. I didn't tolerate much at all from this thing.  After they explained to make what was going on, it was easier for me to get use to all the weird sensations PM do to us. Hang in there it will get better. 

Give it time

by Gemita - 2020-11-24 05:22:57

Maggie, you have had a procedure, you have had surgery which may have traumatised your body far more than you would have wished and your condition may have temporarily worsened as a result.  This would be my immediate thought.  I wouldn’t read much more into it than that and waste what precious energy you do have on negative thoughts.  Now you have the chance to fully recover, once the healing process is over, and improve your heart failure symptoms with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

It took me at least three months for my heart and pacemaker to co-operate.  I had a change of medication too.  Work closely with your doctors, keep records (date and time you get symptoms) so that your device technicians can quickly identify any problem areas and make any adjustments.

It goes without saying though that if at any time your symptoms are difficult to tolerate, seek immediate medical advice.  Always err on side of caution Maggie until both you and your doctors are better aware of the problem if indeed a problem exists?  New, worsening chest pain or symptoms should never be ignored.  They may want to carry out some additional checks or to do some extra monitoring of your heart to help identify any problems.  This would certainly give reassurance.

I do sincerely wish you well