CRT, bi-ventricular pacemaker

I would take the problem back to your clinic

by Gemita - 2021-01-18 09:59:31

Julie, I haven't personally experienced a pulsing feeling with my dual chamber pacemaker (and I don't have CRT) but nonetheless from a pulsing feeling to shortness of breath is clearly not acceptable and I would take the problem back to your clinic to try to get this resolved as soon as possible.  

I would ring the clinic and ask if you could get another pacemaker check.  In the clinic they can carry out more detailed range of tests to establish whether the leads are sound, are in the right position and check all your pacemaker settings thoroughly again.  For peace of mind, this is what I would do.  If all is okay but you are still getting episodes of shortness of breath they may want to do some additional monitoring to check your heart function.

It is still very early days and perhaps this will all settle without intervention, but I would not tolerate shortness of breath for too long without consulting your doctors.

On the original problem (pulsation) I have read that some patients get a "pulsation feeling" during remote monitoring.  You could ask specifically how frequently any remote monitoring is occurring, although this wouldn't explain the shortness of breath you are now experiencing.

Good luck

CRT pacemaker

by Aberdeen - 2021-01-18 11:55:05

Hi Julie,I have had a CRT pacemaker since May last year. Gemita has given you very good advice to go back to the clinic.

I have not experienced ‘pulsing ‘but I did have feelings of ‘ electric sensations ‘ at the beginning which have now passed.I found the pacemaker alleviated my shortness of breath. Good luck!

New pacemaker

by AgentX86 - 2021-01-18 13:46:57

First, I'm really surprised that you can even sleep on your left side after only five weeks.  That's amazing progress!

If he lowered the voltage and now you have SOB, you really need to get back to get it raised again and then find out what else can be done.  Having new SOB after having the pacing voltage reduced indicates, to me at least, that your heart muscle isn't able to maintain PM capture - you're missing heartbeats. This needs to be fixed, then chase down the pulsing sensation.  You can't fix the pulsing by lowering heart capaciy.

adjusting for pulsing

by Julros - 2021-01-19 23:14:05

I too have a CRT and had and still have pulsations. Do most definitely get seen, because of what AgentX86 said.  

When pacers are implanted the voltage is set higher inittially because there is swelling where the lead is poked into the heart tissue. Once healed, the swelling goes down and voltage can be decreased. This increased voltage can stimulate skeletal muscle, in my case, my pectoral muscles for about 2 months. Now a year  and a half out, if I sit with my knees drawn up, my diaphragn gets stimulated and my belly jumps.