Shortness of breath

Hi,

I'm new to this site and I've found it quite informative. I've had my PM for three weeks and I haven't had many problems. The main one being shortness of breath. They made adjustments two weeks ago and it's not as bad, but while laying in bed last night I had some problems breathing properly. I have the PM for atrial fib. I did have the av nodal ablation. I've always been very symptomatic with it. Has anyone else had similar problems? After six ablations, I was hoping that this would be the ticket.


2 Comments

Afib & shortness of breath

by Vai - 2008-01-14 11:01:15

Hi,
Your shortness of breath could be due to the continuing atrial fibrillation. It sounds like your 6 ablations did not eliminate or reduce the afib episodes. The av node ablation severes the conductivity of the storm of electrical activity during afib to the ventricles. The PM protects you when you are fibrillating in the atrium by regulating the ventricular heart beat. The PM does not eliminate the afib although in some new models the PM have some functions that intervenes and attempts to electrically stabilize the atrium during an afib episode (mine has these capabilities and the EP just turned them ON after about 1+ year of observations).
In order to manage the afib, your EP could have prescribed some medication like betablockers to slow down your heart rate to manage the afib, and some blood thinners to protect you from blood clots from the afib that can potentially lead to a stroke. If you do not need meds, then your EP must have other reasons for it.

Ask your Dr.

by bambi - 2008-01-14 11:01:17

It's impossible to figure out what's going on with symptoms like yours, because it could mean many things. There are a few suggestions I have.
1. Call your Dr.'s office and say you would like the device interrogated. Don't ask, state that you are concerned and want to rule out any problems. "When can I come in?"
2. If after your pacemaker is checked out, and everything's ok, ask them if they would make adjustments to lessen your symptoms. YOU have to live with this in your body for the long haul! Be very descriptive of how you feel lying down, or standing, or exercising. Just saying I'm short of breath is apt to make them overlook this symptom. I know when I said that every time I turned over I was short of breath and my heart accelerated uncomfortably, they were clearer on what to do.
3. Be patient. With your pacemaker so new, your ablations, and your body and heart adjusting, it can take up to a year or two to actually get the settings right for you. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there!
Bambi

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