Shortness of breath

Is it normal to still have breathless symptoms after PM surgery?  

Or does these symptoms ease over time?

My mum only had surgery on Friday and struggles with her breathing when going up her stairs.  
Friday evening she had NO breathlessness going up her stairs but then last night she did struggle with her breathing going up her stairs.

Will this take time to improve?

6 Comments

breathless

by new to pace.... - 2024-11-17 06:58:51

am not a doctor but this sounds like it is something else not a pacemaker issue.  As she had this before her pacemaker.  You should problably see a doctor who specialists in Lungs.

new to pace

Agreed

by piglet22 - 2024-11-17 07:28:29

It could be an underlying issue. Or simply older age.

The pacemaker will have an immediate effect where conduction has been proven and dealt with.

It could take a while for her to adapt if your mum has been struggling before. The device will not make things worse, but she can expect to feel significantly different and hopefully better.

It's certainly worth getting advice if it persists.

There might be some tweaks that could be looked at, but probably the settings she has now would have been determined by her diagnosis.

Don't worry too much. She's in the system now and you aren't on your own. It's hard to watch someone struggle. Ask your pacing team, that's what they are there for.

Thank you

by Man21 - 2024-11-17 07:31:50

Thank you!  I was just concerned when she didn't feel any symptoms going up the stairs on Friday night but did yesterday evening.

Shortness of breath

by Lurker (Doc DX) - 2024-11-17 08:40:52

I have had my PM for just over 3 1/2 years and I sometimes still run out of breath going up stairs.

The rate response on the PM needs to be turned on. Sometimes they won't won't turn it on till the 3 month mark.

Ask your EP to do it.

 

Doc DX

 

 

Not so fast

by IrishToast - 2024-11-17 09:48:09

If it's only been a couple of days, she just may need time to heal. I was quite weak and slow at first, and got out of breath easily.  Don't  ignore this, of course, but it could be all that she has gone through.

Recovery and Lungs

by Emmitt - 2024-11-18 23:50:01

First of all, recovery does take some time.  I am two months post ICD upgrade from pacemaker and still am having fatigue but at least my shortness of breath is getting better.

If she recovers and still has issues, maybe check for hyperinflated lungs.  I had/have that and my pulmonologist was able to prescribe a once per day inhaler that has made a huge impact on my life. 

Just a thought...

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