Sleep issues

Sleep

by Good Dog - 2023-01-24 20:45:19

I am sorry that I cannot provide you with a definitive answer, but I can tell you that I had a very similar problem when I first received my PM. In my case, I had a congenital 1st degree AV Block and a slow heart rate my entire life prior to getting the PM. I had worn a Holter Monitor prior to getting my PM and it revealed that My HR would drop-down to a range of between 35 bpm and 50 bpm at night. My daytime rate was often in the low 60's and even sometimes into the 50's. My initial minimum rate when I received my PM was set at 60 bpm. Back then my HR picked-up on its own with activity. My bigger problem was that it would drop a little too low when I was not active. So, after the implant  on my first visit back to the Doc I told him that I was having a lot of problems falling and stayng asleep. So he suggested that I may sleep better if he reduced my minimum rate to 50 bpm. He gave me that as an option. So I told him I'd like to try it. BINGO....my sleepless nights ended. My minimum rate has not been changed since then. That was 36 years ago.

I would suggest that you find-out what your minimum rate is set at. If it is at 60 or above, it may be something to consider. Your problem may be different than mine, so that may not be the answer. However, it is certainly something that you should explore with your Doc as a possible cause of your sleeping problems. Regardless, when you do find a solution you should come back and post it. It may help someone else.

I wish you the very best and sweet dreams in the future!

Sincerely,

Dave

sleep

by AgentX86 - 2023-01-25 00:05:29

At first I had problems with the higher rate (80bpm) necessary for the few months after my AV ablation.  It turns out that I needed it to remain at 80bpm.  I was used to 40-50bpm so I had trouble sleeping.  My EP had the sleep mode on my PM turned on so at night it's set to 50bpm. This has the obvious problems.  I haven't traveled outside the time zone but that's going to be an issue too,

Good news/bad news

Sleep Mode

by Penguin - 2023-01-25 10:38:29

I agree with everything that's been said above. 

Some Pacemakers have a 'sleep mode' setting that allows the device to pace you at a lower rate at night. As AgentX has inferred this can be problematic if say you work different shifts or travel between time zones as the device has to be programmed to fit in with when you go to bed and when you wake up.  It suits quite a regular routine best. 

If your heart rate at night is higher than it was before you had the pacemaker  (which it usually is) this could be also be the problem.  I know I felt a heightened awareness of my heart beat after receiving my PM and at night you can just lie there with thoughts racing through your head because it all feels new and strange. 

 The sleep hygiene issues that Angry Sparrow mentions would also be on my list. 

Give your clinic a call and ask about your night time settings as a start. They will be able to take a look and see if there's anything else programmed that might be causing this, so that you can begin to work out what's happening. 

Best Wishes