feeling out of sorts

Hi,
I had a medtronic pacemaker/difibulator placed on 2-28-08.I am at home now but have no appeitite,have feelings of my passing out as I did last week,,and some dizzy spells.My question is
this normal and are my feelings of anxiety also normal.I know a lot has happened to me over the last week but i would just like to hear from a fellow patient if this is normal,does it get better?By the way,my appetite is a bit better this morning but I would still like to hear from you guys.THANKS

5 Comments

feedback

by Mary Thompson - 2008-03-06 01:03:01

I had some weird side effects when my pacemaker was new and it just needed to be adjusted a few times and then all was well. My body went from lacking heart beats to catching up with my pacemaker and everything had to adjust. No appetite and tiredness may be from the anthesia and pain meds when they put it in. Good luck and keep asking questions.

jj's mom

Not feeling well, anxiety

by gmnordy - 2008-03-06 02:03:07

When I got mine in 03, I did not feel very well for about 2 weeks, I was dizzy all the time and felt like I was going really fast. Before my PM, my heart rate never went over 50. After PM, they had me set at 70 so I felt like I was racing all the time. It took a few sessions at the EPs to get it right. I had the rate changed many times to see how I felt. I finally got used to 70. As for the anxiety, I still have some but I think because I have other issues. Give yourself some time. Good luck!
Debbi

Its normal

by hotform - 2008-03-06 09:03:42

Its very normal to feel the way you do.
I think most people feel the same way after being implanted. A lot of it probably does have to do with your high anxiety level and if your like me, your constant thinking and rethinking of your situation.
It does get much better, so try to relax and find other things to think about and do. It took me about 3 months before I found I wasn't thinking about it all the time. Now I pretty much live a normal life and a lot of people I work with have no idea that I have anything wrong with me. I work, run, ride a motorcycle, and live life to the fullest every day. Rick

There is light...

by sistermary7 - 2008-03-06 10:03:54

Hi jsmith,
I got my pm on feb 08 and felt the same way you did. That is the first time I wrote in to this web site for help because I was scared to death. I think feeling really bad for about 4 weeks after this surgery is more common than people think. I am sure the doctor told you "once you get your pacemaker you will feel so much better" they just don't tell you it may take you quiet a while.I too had a lot of dizziness and feeling like I was going to pass out and with that my anxiety level went sky high. With the support of others on this site, I learned not to rush or push myself for healing. My body had to adjust on it's own time and now 4 weeks later I am doing much better, not perfect ,but better. Driving for the first time alone was hair raising for me. I had to decide if my pm was having problems or if my anxiety level was just really high therefore making me feel really bad and dizzy. I turned up the radio, opened a window, drove in the slow lane and took a cleansing breath and began to pray , all helped, which told me a lot of what I was feeling was anxiety. Having a pm does not stop the hormones( that effect our hearts) that are released during the "fight or flight" response or when something makes you feel anxious. The various hormones still can make your heart try to race or try to slow you down which in turn kicks your pm in to do what it needs to do for you. I told my friend when mine kicks in it feels like I am being slammed from 5th gear to 1st gear and thats when I get dizziness and shortness of breath, then in a few seconds to a couple of minutes I am ok. You will probably have quiet a few days ahead when have to just sit down where ever you are , including the floor, to catch your breath and let the dizziness pass. While that is happening to you,feel what your heart and pm are doing. You will learn what triggers your heart( to do what ever yours does) and know it will pass and that you are going to be ok. If in about 3 to 4 weeks your are not feeling better, call your doctor and let him know what all your signs and symptoms are , be specific, including your blood pressure. He may try to adjust your pm, you may feel better with an adjustment or you may feel like you are happy with where you are. Hope this helps a little , sorry this is so long. please feel free to contact me on the private message pg if you need further support.
sistermary7

ps don't forget. no lifting your arm over your head or lifing over 5 - 10 pounds for the full 6 - 8 weeks after your placement. This to can make you feel bad and trigger shortness of breath and dizziness.

Settings

by ela-girl - 2008-03-06 12:03:17

Hi, jsmith.

It also may be that you need some of your settings tweaked on your unit. Most of us come out of pm surgery having factory settings on our units to ensure that the units are functioning properly. Usually at your first follow-up appointment, your doctor or rep or tech will adjust your settings more to you and your condition. And remember...this can be a bit of trial and error for the first few times so be patient! You are also just out of surgery and regardless what our doctors tell us about pm surgery, it does take your body some time to heal and adjust. So, go easy on yourself if you are feeling out of whack for a few weeks or a few months. It DOES get better! It just takes time.

You also don't say why you had the pm/ICD placed...remember that you can still have some of your old symptoms return even after having the unit in place. The pm/ICD can only do so much. So be vigilant about your health and how you're feeling. Don't be afraid to contact your doctor or nurse if you have issues.

Keep us posted-
ela-girl

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