Co-Vid after affects

Hi Chapter!

by Lavender - 2024-01-05 22:38:02

I'm from a big family too!  I have never had covid but I do have a CRT-P for almost two years now. 
If you haven't already seen this recent discussion of post covid issues, please copy and paste this in your browser. Others report after effects:

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/44089/covid19

May God heal you completely and quickly. Hugs!

I hope you recover soon

by Gemita - 2024-01-06 12:23:40

Chapter, your statement “pacemaker is supposed to be stopping arrhythmias” is unfortunately not the case, although a well adjusted pacemaker to suit your personal needs can certainly help to control these pests.

As you will see from a previous post which Lavender has kindly referenced, I had an episode of Covid in early 2020 before vaccination and yes I did experience many symptoms, including loss of taste, cough, high temperature, brain fog and around that time many new arrhythmias were documented, including multi focal atrial tachycardia.  I already had Atrial Fibrillation, Flutter, SVT, non sustained VT and premature atrial and ventricular ectopics, so multi focal atrial tachycardia was extremely difficult to tolerate and I became unstable.

At that time I had a telephone consult with my EP who confirmed that he was not at all surprised that I was having worsening arrhythmia symptoms due to Covid and a bacterial chest infection which was treated with antibiotics.

All I can suggest is that you speak to your doctors explaining your symptoms and either ask them to have a look at your pacemaker transmissions or ask whether you could perhaps have an external Holter monitor to monitor you for 7-10 days to see what is happening?  If you are having frequent ectopic beats, particularly ventricular ones, these can cause some unpleasant symptoms.  The Holter monitor will certainly pick up Atrial Fibrillation, even short, low to normal speed episodes if present, so it might be helpful to get monitoring done.  Are you on any medication to calm your symptoms, although I would want to know what is happening first before suppressing any symptoms.

Whatever you do, try to stay calm.  All arrhythmias thrive on stress and a weakened immune system due to infection or other illnesses, so please try to get plenty of rest, eat healthily and get some gentle exercise in the fresh air and recover your strength.  Recovering from Covid may take a long time, so please be patient

Covid at heart

by Gotrhythm - 2024-01-06 14:36:20

So sorry you have Covid--even though you've done everything reasonable to protect yourself! Bad luck.

Covid's effects on the heart are well-documented. For some people, the heart problems seem to right themselves over time. Let's keep positive thoughts that that will happen for you. Since you did get the vaccine, hopefully your infection isn't as severe as it might have been, and you have a better chance for full recovery. 

I can't offer better advice than you will get from Gemita. I just want to reinforce what she says about pacemakers. Pacemakers (unfortunately!) can't stop arrythmias. That's just not what they do. With some arrythmias, an adjustment to the pacemaker can make the arrythmia less frequent, but the pacemaker does not stop them or make them go away.

Take care of yourself. Hope you feel better soon.