Just got my PM, need info please

Hi All, I was just sent home from the hospital today and not yet sure about living with this PM. About 1 hr ago I had a slight burning in my heart area. Am I supposed to feel anything with the PM? I’ve had A-Fib for a few years and had an ablation in Sept and it didn’t help much. Since the ablation my heart stops for 3 or 4 sec at a time, a few times a day. So I’m on more meds and a PM and not sure what I’m up against. Should I feel the PM working on my heart? I still had the irregular heart rate both during and after the burning in the chest.

4 Comments

no

by Tracey_E - 2008-12-09 10:12:31

As Smitty said, you should not feel it working, though there are people who say they do. It is very likely that your settings need adjusted. They usually send us home with standard settings, which are not always right for everyone. It may take a few tries to get it right.

A pm will pick up lost beats, it will keep your heart from stopping. It can not slow your heart down or correct an irregular beat.

PM Info

by SMITTY - 2008-12-09 10:12:39

Hello,

Welcome,

Your pacemaker should always be a silent partner. You should never feel anything from it when it is doing its job.

That is not to say your PM is, or is not, the cause of what you are feeling. I would, however, be surprised if it is. But the one thing I have learned about pacemakers is to never say never. If the burning sensation continues check with your doctor.

As for the irregular heart beat after you got the pacemaker, it is a little too early to say what benefit you may get along that line, but I've had my PM 8+ years and I had an irregular heart beat at times before I got it and I still have it. In fact the PM has been no benefit what so ever for that. Again though, this early in the game for you, I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about these things.

Good luck,

Smitty

Give it a few days.

by ElectricFrank - 2008-12-09 11:12:40

Keep in mind you have had surgery both in placing leads in your heart and implanting the pacemaker in your chest. If you were out during the procedure or were given one the of amnesia drugs, you have no idea how they treated your body during the surgery. I was totally awake during mine and at one point someone on the surgical team had their elbow planted firmly between my ribs as an arm rest. I complained and they offered to give me a "something so I wouldn't notice it". I suggested it would be better if they just moved. I had a sore spot between my ribs from the abuse. No telling what they will do if you are out. We have had reports here of sore necks, frozen shoulders,etc.

The main thing you should notice is that you are no longer having 4 second pauses in your HR. The pacer should handle that. Some kinds of irregular beats like PVC's can't be helped by the pacer, but generally aren't a serious issue. Allow a week or so for the surgery to heal. The pocket they make in your chest wall is a bit brutal..kind of like tearing the skin off a chicken breast. It takes time to heal.

frank

Thanks

by ronbabsh - 2008-12-10 05:12:34

I appreciate everyone’s response, I don’t know much about pacemakers and you all have been very helpful. I never thought much about a PM until my Dr called me at work just a few days ago and told me I need one right away. This didn’t leave me much time to investigate anything. But I did find this site and I’m glad I did. Does anyone know if there is a link between A-Fib and Essential tremors? I started have both at about the same time and the meds are the same for both problems. It just seem odd that both are treated the same way and started at the same time. But neither of my Dr’s think they are relaled, I’m not so sure. Thanks again for being here to help.

Ron

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