Could something be wrong?

Hi fellow pacers,

I had my first pacemaker implanted 26th Nov 07 for congential complete heart block causing low heart rate 40 bpm and have my 6 week check up on Weds (9th).

Although I'm definitely feeling a lot better and the pre-PM symptoms of fatigue, migraines, neck pressure pain, heart thumping, left-sided numbness and lightheadedness have more or less gone, I've noticed a reduction in the benefits over the past two weeks.

Basically, I don't feel as 'well' now as I did when I first had the implant, even though I've recovered from the surgery itself.

I don't think I've pulled a lead since I've been MEGA cautious regarding left arm use (thanks to all the great advice on this site) plus, when I take my own pulse it seems to be doing it should - always above the low set rate of 60bpm,

If I had pulled a lead somehow, would my pulse drop back down again?

I've noticed I feel tired again, and the left-sided pressure/pain in my neck has returned, to a lesser degree, but it's back. I've been trying to find out about pacemaker syndrome, but I thought that only happened with single lead PMs and mine's a duel lead PM. I'm not on any medication.

Has anyone else experienced feeling great post PM then feeling bad again a few weeks later?

Do you think my PM simply needs 'tweaking'?

I'd like to be prepared with questions for my appointment on Weds, so any advice or shared experiences would, as always, be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Shelly (UK)

6 Comments

Settings

by ela-girl - 2008-01-05 01:01:53

I agree with Bob. You probably just need some tweaking and it's a lot of trial and error. Most of us come out of surgery with the factory settings for the pm to make sure that it is functioning properly. The other thing to keep in mind is that even with the pm, you can still have the same symptoms you were having pre-pm. If you have noticed benefit from the pm already, I'm guessing you may just need some adjustments to your settings.

Best of luck and keep us informed!
ela-girl

Tiredness

by Tessy - 2008-01-05 02:01:16

Hi Shelley,
Sorry to hear you are not quite 100%. Have you been out yet? Sometime a bit of fresh air helps. You don't seem to have problems with the PM, but you have neck pain. Perhaps if you put a scarf around your neck and took a walk around the nearest park?

Try applying heat around the neck. I hope you will be able to get it sorted on Wednesday. I will be thinking of you.

Teresa

Ela-girl

by Pete1 - 2008-01-05 03:01:35

Ela-girl is right. I had to my PM adjusted yesterday, because my Dr found that it was not fully capturing. I felt much better after the adjustments.

Good luck at your check up and make sure you describe exactly how you feel.

Probably

by sgrozinski - 2008-01-05 04:01:37

I have had 2 adjustments to my PM that I had implanted in June '07. I have been feeling better since the 2nd ( 2 months ago ). I had to suggest to the Dr. that I thought it should be set higher ..it is now set @ 75. You will feel better once you get the proper setting for you. Good luck!
Steve

PM Problems

by BOB 1 - 2008-01-05 11:01:16

Shelly, The only way to find out if there is problem with your pacemaker or a lead is to visit your doctor. However, my guess is that there is nothing wrong that a little tweaking will not cure. Just remember the tweaking can require several visits over several months. Like it or not, and our PM experts will not tell us this, getting the best PM settings for any individual is nothing but trial and error. God luck, Bob

Thanks Guys!!

by Shelly - 2008-01-07 03:01:57

All your comments are, as always, very reassuring - cheers.

I'm sure there's nothing seriously wrong, but we all know what it's like when we have these panicky moments!

I'll see how I feel at the end of the week after I've had a thorough 'tweaking' on Weds :-)

Thanks again for being here.

Shelly (UK)

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