Lightheaded then nausea

I have had my pacemaker for exactly 2 months. Before the pacemaker I had bouts of syncope and my cardiologist (after several tests) said I had complete heart block. This past week I have had 2 episodes of something that felt similar to the syncope, but instead of fainting I get sick to my stomach. I was wondering if anyone had similar situation after having their pacemaker put in? do you think it is heart related?
scared!

7 Comments

Yes

by boatman50 - 2008-09-25 10:09:23

Ever since I got my pm 2 years ago, I have had the same feelings. The cardiologist just wanted to give me more and more medicine until I said no and he sent me to an EP. He was great and diagnosed it as vasalvagal syncope. He raised my lower pm rate to 70 bpm and advised me to drink more sports drinks like Propel to stay well hydrated. It has helped very much, and even though I still get them the episodes are fewer and farther between.

dizziness?

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-25 12:09:09

Lightheaded, maybe. Nausea, not usually cardiac. Were you doing something active or just sitting around? It's worth getting the pm checked. Sometimes the settings that they start with need to be tweaked, especially if you're active and otherwise healthy. We make the pm work harder than someone with a laundry list of other health problems who will never get back to full activity.

I have CHB also and am on my 4th pm. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask!

working doesn't mean right!

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-25 12:09:33

Don't be shy, be a nag!! :o) When they say it's working, they mean it's not showing any irregular episodes and it's taking care of your CHB. Some offices get used to patients who will never be completely well again so they aren't listening to you closely. Others never have younger, active patients and they're not sure what to do with us. Tell them what you're doing when you have the episodes. If it's exercise related, ask for a stress test. I've had several problems that were diagnosed that way. Good luck!

not uncommon and dizziness

by bchis23 - 2008-09-25 12:09:40

Thank you for your comments. I have gone in to have my PM checked three times due to the lightheadedness and each time they hook me up and say it's working fine. So I guess if this is normal I need to tell them it needs adjusting. The call has been made!

Im Dumb

by walkerd - 2008-09-28 07:09:08

Please tell me what is an EP? Im new to this game all i have ever seen is my cardioligist, surgeon, and my family doc. please i have asked before what is ep.

dave

Should be Fine

by harrisonb - 2008-09-28 12:09:56

When i first got mine in, I felt weird all the time for a while. I think your body will adjust and you should feel normal again, as I don't think it is heart releated, but rather your body getting used to the surgery.

ep

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-01 10:10:22

ep = electrophysiologist. It's a cardiologist that specializes in electrical problems.

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

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