New to the club

Dizziness only

by Cleon - 2023-06-27 21:11:14

I haven't.... but did experience dizziness for two days... Cardiologist wasn't so concerned.... I had a slight raised temperature... but I took it as a response from my body to the procedure... Hope you feel much better now... 🙏

Hydrate?

by Lavender - 2023-06-27 22:08:09

Hi Mark. Welcome. Sorry you're in this position but you will adapt in time. Since your cardiologist isn't concerned, and your pacemaker is doing its job-my thoughts are about if you're getting adequate hydration. I was only woozy twice in the two years since getting my CRT-P following complete heart block. 
 

The first time, the cardiologist said that I was too hot. I didn't think it was too warm, but I was outside and actually drank a lot of water. I was told you can get ill from being too warm and drinking too much water. I've noticed that I am much more sensitive to warmth than I used to be. 
 

The second time was not drinking enough water. Once you get a pacemaker, you need much more water. I'm drinking about 10-12 glasses of water daily now. 

My other thought is about you having some anxiety/post traumatic stress type feelings(?) Anxiety can cause a hot flush feeling. 
 

I am not medical personnel, just giving my thoughts based on past personal experiences.  May God bless you and make you feel safe and well.  You're still healing, be good to yourself. Your feelings and sensations are valid and you should be listened to and reassured until this improves. 
 

Mark, if you think it's anxiety-put on headphones and lie down comfortably. Go on youtube and look up "Michael Sealey". He has many self guided meditations that you might benefit from-especially ones on healing and anxiety. Have a peaceful sleep tonight!

Welcome Mark

by Gemita - 2023-06-28 03:56:41

Hello Mark, although a pacemaker implant is usually a straightforward procedure with a relatively low risk for a complication, clearly some of us do experience post implant complications/symptoms that can be hard to diagnose.  If your difficult symptoms continue I would advise you to seek medical advice.  

Flushing can have many causes.  Have you for example changed your medication recently, do you have high blood pressure, do you have a heart rhythm disorder, or are you feeling anxious which would be understandable?  

I can experience facial flushing during a sudden onset, fast irregular arrhythmia.  During any arrhythmia, I can experience many symptoms and feel extremely poorly during and long after the episode ends.

I recall I also experienced some upper body flushing on exertion following my pacemaker implant.  This turned out to be caused by trauma/partial obstruction of a vein during lead placement.  I was lucky to develop collateral vein circulation (“backup” blood vessels in the body) which was nature's way of keeping my blood flowing.

So lots of possible causes for your flushing.  Hopefully it is nothing to worry about, but do speak to your doctors if your symptoms continue

Coping

by Mark M - 2023-06-28 07:49:14

Thanks to all for your feedback. It's comforting to hear people having similar experiences with no serious repercussions. I managed to sleep better last night. Still feel a bit off today but so far, better than yesterday. 
thanks again 

Excluding Causes / Self Care

by Penguin - 2023-06-28 07:55:30

Hi Mark, 

You could do a few things to begin to exclude some of the causes suggested above. 

1. Diary - Keep a note of the dates / times of any symptoms and ring the pacing clinic with this information so that they can check whether there is anything showing up on home monitoring at these times.  

2. Take your temperature -  Hospitals are prime places for picking up a virus, that may have nothing to do with the pacemaker at all. 

3. Check your wound - Infected wound - inflamed, pus etc.  It will still be a bit red / pink at 5 weeks. You should be able to see an infection. 

4. Change in Meds - Check any new or decreased / increased meds for side effects and interactions.  Some drugs may cause flushing as a side effect.  

5. Take your blood pressure - high BP can cause flushing.  Anxiety can push BP up.

If you can exclude some of these you may feel more confident about your doctor's opinion that there's nothing serious going on, but if it continues I would seek medical help. 

I hope you feel better soon.