new member
hi there, i'm a new member and have just got out of the hospital. i've already had a defib. because of congestive heart failure (which fired once, no fun) but my heart rate was becoming too slow, in the 40's. so now i 'm fixed with a new model defib/pacemaker. what i was wondering if it's common the symptoms which i am experiencing
often, it feels like my heart is pounding right out of my chest.
the ticking/pumping is so strong a times it actualy wakes me up at night, especially if i roll on my left side.
and also, it feels as if it's always going on, constantly.
are these common experiences or do i have to get it tweaked a bit better? or is this something i have to get used to??
give me some advice you pros
thanks
david
5 Comments
re: Heart Pounding
by jenh - 2008-05-05 01:05:30
Hi David, I think the answer to your question of whether this is a common experience or if you need to get your pacemaker adjusted is -- it could easily be either. You say that you "just got out of the hospital," so it sounds like the pacemaker is still very new for you. I know that after each pacemaker I've had (I'm on #4 at age 35), I feel it ALOT in the beginning, especially at night, but it tends to ease up after a few weeks. I've also pretty much retrained myself to sleep on my back since sleeping on my side is not really comfortable anymore. So you may want to give it a week or two and see if you get used to the sensation and stop noticing it. However, if it doesn't go away, or is really bothersome, you should see your doctor about an adjustment. It may be that your voltage it set too high and giving you too much of a shock each beat. I did actually have to have that done a number of years ago.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.
Jen
re: heart pounding
by rajendran - 2008-05-05 07:05:01
Hellow David,
Don'tbother about the heart pounding feeling. I got my pacemaker implated during july, 2004. Still at times I have the feeling heart pounding at times. It's very difficult to sleep even at the initial days. Now, I am used to it. It would be very heavy, you can realise the beat throughout your body. So, nothing to bother about that. Like jen, if it hurts you, even after a month as advised by Jen, please meet the Doctor. Cheer up boy.
Good luck.
Heart Beat
by Serenitymickey - 2008-05-06 12:05:46
I have had my pacemaker/defibular for about 1 1/2 years ...the first 2 months it was like my body and I were just fighting each other. Couldn't get comfortable no matter how I layed. I could hear what was going on inside and that drove me nuts.When I finally would get up I felted as though I had been in a fight. Long before my implant I could never sleep on my left side..couldn't breathe right...my doctor said with your heart muscle so weak I understand why you can not sleep on the left side. Sounded odd but okay. So once my implant was complete..I was glad I had already been sleeping on my right side.
I finally got myself a hospital bed and 1 adivan a day...things started to fall in place....I was able to get more sleep and my implant and I made peace. Thought it would never get to that point.I said it was about 2 months before I got some peace....I should have talked to my doctor sooner....I just kept blaming myself that I could not get use to it all....I was ashamed of myself for that....I now know not to blame myself and not ask the doctor any questions....that was my biggest mistake......David it is great we have this site for support and your never alone....yet as everyone has said to you...just call the doctor when your that worried....hearing a kind voice from the doctor telling you not to worry..makes things so much better for the day.Oh I still get scared at times..just like I am going to travel this summer...but I already feel better talking to you all and my doctor....how lucky we are to have this site...take care..and remember your not alone. Have a great day.
I just got mine adjusted
by mandogrl - 2008-05-09 12:05:02
after 9 months. Odds are they will make you wait a while to see how it is when it settles down. Mine was waking me up sometimes, but it really increased (waking me up lots) after I started exercising. Maybe my resting pulse got lower? anyway, they can adjust them.
Good luck, it gets better!
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hello david
by NJEMT1968 - 2008-05-04 11:05:33
Sometimes I feel if my heart is beating out of my chest too. Sometimes it is just paced beats, other times it is palpatations or pvc's. Talk to your doctor...