Still progressing well with my Pacemaker and heart block

You sound so positive and in good health

by Gemita - 2023-02-02 10:34:25

John, is that really you?  I thought you had deserted us for a better life. 

Really good to hear from you again and to know that you are doing so well and seem to have got those settings where you want them.  I know it hasn’t been easy with your autoimmune condition flaring up too and I hope this is in remission and that any meds you are on are not taking their toll on your ability to exercise? 

Anyway, thank you for the update.  I can see you are minimally paced in the Right Ventricle, so that should do no harm and as long as you have no symptoms and continue to feel energetic, it all sounds good to me.

Me?  Well doing quite well too.  Had a useful meeting with my new EP a few weeks ago and he really listened.  He wrote to my GP telling her that I had been doing some research on some of my settings and that he is prepared to look at specific settings again (turning some OFF, turning some ON and adjusting others) to try to improve my symptoms during my arrhythmias.  I now have an appointment to return to see a Cardiac Scientist in a few weeks time, who will work with me to see what can be done.  This will be the first time in my pacemaker history (since 2018) that I will receive some one to one attention settings wise.

It sounds as though for the moment John, you are where you want to be and everything is stable, including your electrical disturbances.  That is a very good sign.  Will you come back more often please to share your experience and to let us know how you are?

Overusing pacemaker

by AgentX86 - 2023-02-02 13:58:55

There is no such thing as "over-using" a pacemaker. If it's needed,  it needed. It's not clear what you mean but the battery will last 8-10 years pacing 100%. That doesn't mean it'll last 100 years at 10%. Maybe another year or two.

Yes.

by PacedNRunning - 2023-02-03 04:08:50

Yes. Enjoy the intermittent block and minimal pacing. I have exercise induced 2:1 block and now in CHB 100%. Took 2 years from implant. 

good to be back

by quikjraw - 2023-02-03 07:05:02

Thanks Gemita :) 

It has been quite a journey with my immunosuppressants (they have caused me more hassle than they have solved if I am honest - ANTI-TNF appeared to induce Lupus!).

I have currently paused all immunosuppressants for two months to see how that goes.

Good to hear you are finally making some specific progress.

Agentx86 - 

The overuse was meant in both meanings, the life of the pacemaker and the amount of beats I am using it for.

I disagree on both counts that one cannot overuse a pacemaker. Assuming quality of life is not affected using the pacemaker less may give extra life to the pacemaker and across my lifetime (I am 47) it could mean one less pacemaker implant (less risk, less cost) now image that multiplied across society.

In my own personal case I went from using the pacemaker 100% of the time to less than 10% in one day. The settings to allow full 1:1 during excerise meant that for me every beat during rest and exercise was paced. I have a long PR interval as well as heart block.

PacedNrunning

yes I have read many people on here with the same progression. Time will tell of course but I believe my heart block is in some way autoimmune so I expect it to follow the same pattern as my other autoimmune issues (joints, colon, eyes) it will flare up sometimes and other times it will be negligible. I have had joints issues for 30 years but there has not been a linear degragdation some long periods in the last 30 years I have been completely symptom free and running at a high level (for my age). Same for my eyes, fully clouded up at one point but now completely clear eyesight.