New Pacemaker - Symptoms

headaches

by Gemita - 2022-10-07 07:49:02

CMowers, after sedation, even mild sedation during a pacemaker implant, I would expect to have a few symptoms like a headache.  I am unclear how severe your headache is but you could, if you are really concerned, ask for further investigations to be carried out, depending on the level of pressure you feel.  Only you will know how bad your pain is?

Of course after any procedure complications can occur.  What would I do if I had a severe headache following an implant procedure?  I would perhaps make sure (if this hasn't already been done) that my blood was flowing normally and that I didn't have a blood clot somewhere, restricting blood flow to the head, causing the headache.  No harm in asking and letting them rule out this unlikely event?

I hope for the very best for you

2 days out

by Persephone - 2022-10-07 09:06:47

Hi C - are you keeping up with hydration? After surgery, and actually just all the time now though it's been years, I had to remind myself to stay hydrated.

What They Said

by MinimeJer05 - 2022-10-07 13:14:35

Hello,

I was going to re-comment on what the two above me said -- both sedation/medications can cause headaches as well as lack of nutrition (water and food). I felt very groggy for a few days after my PM implant, but I also realized I wasn't thirsty, so I never drank anything and I wasn't eating normal either.

I would say, force yourself to drink even more water than normal, make sure you're eating nutritious foods and allow your mind and body to heal.

Definitely let your general doctor know if these symptoms get worse or don't go away.

Take care

Jer

Thank you

by cmowers - 2022-10-08 07:21:26

Thank you all for your comments.   Yesterday the headache subsided a little bit and I'm really hoping the trend continues.   If it weren't for the associated pressure I would have thought it was a post anesthesia symptom as well.  Not that I have any anesthesia experience prior to this.   I'm a complete newbie there.  First surgery in my life and for a PM no less.  I have been drinking a lot of water, but I've tried to be even more mindful of it after reading your comments.  I also took a short walk (@1mi) yesterday and that was great.  I could tell that I wouldn't be able to do what I could do 5 months ago, but at this point I'll take it.   
 

No "cardiac issues"

by Gotrhythm - 2022-10-08 12:24:35

Just want to clarify around one thing you allude to in your post, i.e. "their colleague insisted I do not have any caridiac issues but here I am with a pacemaker."

I too wondered how all the tests for heart problems could come up negative but still I wound up with a pacemaker.

It's like this: The heart has two systems--a circulatory system of arteries, veins, and capillaries and an electrical system. Think of it as the difference between the plumbing and the wiring in a house. Most time when people refer to "heart issues," they are talking about coronary artery disease--the heart's plumbing system. But like a house, you can have problems with the plumbing, or the wiring, or both.

Odd as it seems, it's possible to have a perfectly "healthy" heart, but stil have electrical problems that you need a pacemaker to deal with.

For now, take any good news you can get, and take comfort that whatever strange sensations you might feel, they probaly are due to your heart getting used to being paced and recovery from the pacemaker being implanted.

I'm so glad you're already feeling the improvent of having a steady heartbeat thanks to the pacemaker.