Sleeping problems ~ settings?

Hello, I am new to this site and just registered. I received my dual chamber pacemaker 3 weeks ago. My heart health problems are "new" in the past few months, my heart block developed suddenly along with syncope symptoms. The recovery time seems dreadfully long, but I believe my recovery is halted somewhat because I am having trouble sleeping. Prior to receiving my pacemaker I rarely had sleepless nights. I have enjoyed being able to sleep well and wake refreshed. I imagine part of my trouble is being uncomfortable and not being able to sleep on my side, but I seem to feel just a tiny bit jittery sometimes... and can't quite relax. I have been reading on the site that some of you have sleeping settings as well as waking settings? I would be interested in knowing more.

I have found the lack of information provided by the doctors somewhat disconcerting. They seem to brush off my concern about the pacemaker and just say "go live your life". Are there any good books for the lay person out there that are available? As a retired educator I am most interested in what to expect with this new piece of equipment in my body!

Thank you in advance.

4 Comments

Welcome to our family

by kaka - 2008-03-21 01:03:02

Welcome to our family(I wish it was the millionaire club instead of the PM club).I have my new little buddy for 7 months now and I have no problem sleeping on my left side. For the first 4 or 5 weeks I had a very difficult time sleeping,mainly because of the discomfort and I guess I was also very anxious.I did try Lunista and believe it or not it took me almost 3 hrs to fall asleep.The Dr has me on Lexapro for the anxiety and I sleep much,much,much better(and a great side effect is wonderful dreams....it's like going to the movies every night).

Hang in there things will get better...and baby yourself..you deserve it.

Kaka

Sleep Mode

by susanspurs - 2008-03-21 01:03:27

Thanks CathrynB, your posting was really helpful to me. I keep reading about the different settings and I really don't think my cardiologist or PM technician would talk about these with me. It was really hard to get them to talk about the rate response switch - and I wouldn't have known anything at all without this club. I thought six weeks ago that I had a PM fitted and it was either on (inside me) or off (taken out). They told be absolutely nothing and as I had it done almost immediately after the 24hr ECG, I had no time to do any research or know what questions to ask. It was hard enough just getting my head round that I had to have a PM! Obviously one doesn't expect them to go off and recite all the technical details but a comforting word that settings can be adjusted, if necessary, would be good. I understood that this was a simple procedure and that I would be back to normal in a few days!

I think I am now depressed about the whole thing and that isn't helping my recovery. And a good night's sleep would be wonderful.

Sue

Thank you!

by Swedeheart - 2008-03-21 01:03:57

Thank you everyone for the comments and information. This is very helpful. I had no idea there was a "sleep mode" and I will ask about it at my next checkup. If I continue to have problems before then I will simply phone and discuss this. I know that one simply doesn't heal well if you aren't getting rest!

This seems to be a very informative and helpful site, the FAQ have helpful information as well. One question, is everyone who registers a pacemaker patient?

I will look forward to seeing how others have done with their sleeping...

Thank you for the prompt responses so far.

Welcome

by NH - 2008-03-21 11:03:07

Welcome to the PM club. You will find support here. I had trouble sleeping with my first PM, but it got better after about a month. I sleep fine now.

Just wanted to welcome you and say HI!

Take care,
NH

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Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.