New kid on the block

Well, I'm not really a kid but I did have my first pacemaker implanted this week. I had been struggling with shortness of breath and extreme fatigue for months but doctors here in my hometown in Louisiana didn't give much consideration to recurring problems with a heart rate dipping into the low-mid 30's.

I went to the Texas Med Ctr in Houston and they implanted a dual chamber, rate-responsive device made by medtronics. The model name is Adapta.

I am feeling much better but have a couple of questions that I thought some of you might have experienced: First of all, although I'm already feeling a lot better and breathing better, I'm a bit weak and I'm seem to be more cold-natured. I will complain the room is cold and others will say it is just fine. Any experience with this?

Also - I'm having a bit of a problem getting comfortable for sleep. I used to sleep on the side where the device was implanted. Now sleeping on my back or the other side either causes pain at the incision site or in my back where I have had some problems due to a pinched nerve.

My pacemaker seems to be doing amazing things for me and I understand I will gradually improve in terms of being able to breath better and have more stamina.

Thanks

5 Comments

sleeping

by bowlrbob - 2007-09-24 02:09:35

I did not have the cold problem you are talking about. But as for the sleeping part after the area was well healed about 2 months i took the chance to sleep on the pacer side. I have been ever since and it has not been a bother. Sometimes i feel it or get a slight pinch but it hasn't hurt anything. So be patient and soon you will be back to normal. By the way it took me a good year and 1/2 before my body seemed to get back to what i would call normal. It sounds like you have had this for some time as did I. So you aren't suddenly OK overnight. It takes time but you will catch up. Bowlrbob

Thanks for the responses/encouragement

by trumpetplayer - 2007-09-24 05:09:55

I appreciate all of the responses and the encouragement. I am so excited about the potential for a happier and healthier life that this pacemaker provides and I'm aware that I have responsibility to protect this potential by taking care of myself, eating right, exercising.

It feels so good not to have to gasp for breath. If feels good to start feeling good!

Ahh the elusive, sweet sleep!

by ela-girl - 2007-09-24 06:09:58

Hi, trumpetplayer!

I still have problems sleeping and getting comfortable with my pacer and it has been almost 1 year since my implant. For the first 3 or 4 weeks I had to use a bunch of pillows to prop myself up just right to sleep. I could not get cozy being flat or laying on either side. I can now sleep on my pacer side, but I do get a pain/pinch feeling from time to time. I also have the same problem with stomach sleeping. It DOES get better...it just takes time which we all impatiently wait for!

As for the cold...do you take any beta-blocker medication? I am on Toprol XL and a side effect of the medication happens to be cold hands and feet. So, I struggle with this...

Sounds like you are on the road to recovery!
ela-girl

re: sleeping

by craftygirl - 2007-09-24 11:09:07

hi trumpet player
after 4 yrs I still have trouble sleeping on the side of the pm, but lucky for me I usual sleep on my stomach so its no worry other wise I don't have a problem with the pm. I wonder if bowlrbob plays bowls, I do. good luck
tr- player take care thing's will soon be right marie

Stamina will return

by suecats - 2007-09-24 12:09:00

Hi Trumpet Player,

Your body has been struggling for a while an it will take a while before you have a "normal" level of stamina back - but it will come. Exercise a bit each day and increase each week. I got a pedometer and started out on 2,000 step walks - it was really hard at first! Then increase to 2500 steps and 3,000 and so on. It did indeed take me over a year to get back the level of energy I had before my heart problems.
Good luck!

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Member Quotes

I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.