Pacemaker

Hi. I had went for my first pacemaker check and doctor appt. and "everything was fine". I still have the weird kinda heartbeat throb that comes on my the center to mid part of my stomach - sometimes in my lower throat. This is what I was getting before the pacemaker and would last for a few seconds. Now, it only lasts a second or two and I know that's probably when my pacemaker kicks in. It's only been 1 1/2 weeks since my implantation. I hear that you will feel better and probably better than you did before - more energy, etc. I feel the same - no more energy then before.

Is this just because it's so recent for me? When will I start to feel like I have "more energy"? Also, I hear a lot about people saying that the pacemaker may have to have the settings changed. Am I at that point yet? Or didn't I give it enough time yet??

5 Comments

when's your next check?

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-24 07:08:22

It takes 4-6 weeks to get back to your old self, for your body to recover from the surgery and your heart to get used to beating normally again.

When do you go again for another check? If it's a week or two, just wait and mention it then. If it's longer, I'd ask to be seen sooner. They may say everything is fine. From their perspective fine = the pm is functioning properly, your leads are in position and it's keeping you alive. That's not the same thing as you feeling 100%. It's up to you to tell them when you don't feel right, they usually can't tell just by looking at the report unless it's something really obvious. When we talk about getting reprogrammed, it's usually fine tuning little things that aren't immediately obvious. Tell them what you're doing when you get the funny feeling. Tell them what you are doing when you get tired.

Pacemaker

by sonkitty - 2008-08-24 07:08:29

I don't get the pacemaker checked again until I get the phone set-up thingie done, which I don't have an exact time/date of. My next doctor's appt. is in 3 weeks. Actually I'm doing nothing when I feel the pulse/beat in my chest. It might be that that is the time I do feel it 'cause I'm realized and can sense it more. As for getting tired, I really haven't done too much to get tired from. I just don't have the umpf yet to want to venture our for my usually daily walk. I'm definitely going to try tomorrow and see if I get tired from it.

probably just the surgery

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-24 08:08:40

It sounds like normal recovery time from the surgery. A little walk tomorrow is a great idea. Try to move every day at least a little bit. If you don't see a gradual increase in stamina, mention it at your next appointment. I'm no doctor, but it sounds pretty normal to me so far.

Your PM and adjustment time....

by maryanne - 2008-08-24 10:08:56

There is a lot of things to adjust to after gettng a PM. I wish this site existed when I had my first PM 24 years ago. I just took everything as being normal......I didn't know what to expect....no one talked about it....I felt like a ninny asking this and that.....heck I didn't know....all I knew was that I had this foreign object in my body that was suppose to make me feel better.

It took me months to adjust....mind you my circumstances were a little different.....I was pregnant with my first child at the time and didn't know it.....so my body was going through a lot of changes....now 24 years later and I am on my 4th PM...I still wonder sometimes about things that I feel. Hence, I go to my PM clinic every 6 months...have things checked out.

For you it is so early. First you need ot recover from your surgery....it does take 4 -6 weeks for the muscle to heal....so you might be feeling some of those twangs.....but with all that has been said...if you get increased shortness of breath...nausea, feel faint.....go to your doctor immediately, you may need to have changes made to your PM settings....everyone is different....we are all set differently to meet our lifestyles.....so if you feel things aren't settling in well enough for you....go to where you have your PM adjusted and tell them how you are feeling .....they can adjust thing for you......


Welcome to the club....and good health to you!!!!!

Pacemaker Updates

by sonkitty - 2008-08-25 12:08:36

Thanks for the info. I hear it from everyone saying that it takes time, and I just have to make that statement sink in! Thursday will only be 2 weeks. I did go for a walk today and felt okay with it. Didn't do my usual long walk - just still a little cautious about something happening I guess.

I still do get that 'catch your breath' heartbeat in my throat chest area. The feeling I was getting before the pacemaker. I can feel the pacemaker kick in sometimes at that point - sometimes a click in that area. Doctor said it was because of me only having the one lead. Nothing unusual, but still unnerving.

Would changing the setting on it make me stop feeling that heartbeat feeling subside? I don't know if that's something I'll always have or the setting change would help.

Anyone else get that feeling? That's what I was getting really frequently, with dizziness, prior to getting the pacemaker.

Thanks for any help.

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

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