Oxygen to Brain

Know this sounds silly but am a tad concerned. I have always had my brain to rely on .. my whole life. Straight A's, magna cum laude, my own business where I have done business nationally and internationally, paper at conferences, 3 time author ... blah blah bah. Since my pm implant day after Thanksgiving I have had, for me, what I consider a slow recovery. Am much better but feel as if my energy is coming back very slowly. BUT .. I have no desire to use my brain .. I bought 5 books to read and can't seem to focus on any of them. I have documents to review for a client and I can not seem to get into them. I have tax info I could get together - no desire. I just can not get into details. My acupuncturist said "the brain and heart are intertwined" - that the pacemaker is keeping me alive but that I probably am not getting enough oxygen to my brain. Has anybody else had this experience? Any input? I will NOT give up but this is a shock not to have my brain !!!!!

18 Comments

I can relate!

by candi51 - 2009-01-05 08:01:58

I have had the same problem for sure! When I was on a higher dose of beta blockers I could care less about anything. My flower beds were full of weeds, projects left undone, didn't want to cook, and couldn't concentrate on reading anything or doing bookwork.
They have lowered my Beta Blockers now and it's better but it is still there for sure. I have a huge $$ landscape design project on my desk that I just can't get motivated to draw- ugh.
Are you on beta blockers?
Best Wishes-
Candi

soo true!

by meg22 - 2009-01-05 09:01:05

I had my implant in April and the same thing occured. I couldn't concentrate or read a book to save my life. I think it does have something to do with the oxygen to the brain. After tweaking my meds with some persistance on my part I am finally coming around.

give it time

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-05 09:01:16

Your sharpness should come back gradually along with your energy! Your energy is just now coming back, the rest will follow.

I've never heard of the pacemaker depriving the brain in any way. Did she explain how it's happening?

I have an amazing chiropractor in NPB who works with a naturalist to come up with solutions to things like this. They're a little offbeat, but they've never steered me wrong.

Beta Blockers

by ppt - 2009-01-05 09:01:47

Yes - I am on Lopressor - 25mg twice a day. My blood pressure is the best it has been in 3 years. Is that a high dosge? middle of the road dosage? low dosage?

WOW

by ppt - 2009-01-05 10:01:36

Thx - I felt so silly posting this. I do not feel silly any more :-) I feel like it is something I can address with Drs ...thx TraceyE - but for now I will stick with my acupuncturist and he is also into Herbal supplements - he helped my stress level sooooo much - I'll give it time. It is just so good to know others have experienced the same thing and it is real - I am not being a jerk !! meg22 - how did you survive April through now ??? I can't imagine struggling with this that long. I would have been (and will be if it takes that long for me) a basket case !!! Congrats to you for your patience !!!!

Supply and Demand

by maryanne - 2009-01-05 10:01:37

We must remember to looks at our bodies as a whole...if our hearts aren't functioning effectively as a pump then it is not pumping good oxygenated blood to our brain. Decreased oxygen to the brain can cause lethargy, syncope, and other neurological events...there are many reason for this to happen two such reasons can drugs and decreased cardiac output.

Drugs affect our thought process....cardiac drugs specifically can affect our cardiac output as well as our moods. Along with moods these drugs can affect our, BP, sex drive, diet, blood sugars...the list could go on. Beta blockers are a kicker for affecting moods...now combined that with our ticker not functioning at it's peak is a double whammy....

Also, research is out there that talks about the depression and mood changes that happen as a result of cardiac manipulation...whether that be as simple as a PM implant or as complicated as open heart....it's facing our mortality....how fragile life can be.

I am sure with time and adjustments to your medications and to having your PM that you will be right back at it....you come across as someone who won't let to much keep them down....don't be hard on yourself....something I often say to myself is...this too shall passks.....best of luck...

apologies

by Angelie - 2009-01-06 01:01:15

Sorry for the misunderstanding. You'll find here that the majority of folks geniunely care about every person posting here. I know I was just concerned about you possibly not getting the best cardiac care.
I do know from experience how posts can be misunderstood. Typing lends itself to misunderstandings naturally since we're not able to hear, or see emotion. Also, I can speak for myself that although this is a very serious site and we all here have serious health issues, I do try to keep things as light as I can. Issues here can get so depressing that it's nice sometimes to spice things up with a little humor. That too, can be mistaken.
I do hope you get to feeling more like your normal self. I really do think you would get a kick out of Nintendo DS Lite's Brain Age 1 and 2. These games are filled with all sorts of puzzles, and brain teasers to help keep your mind sharp. (Sudoko, reading, writing, arrhythmatic, etc.) and it keeps track of your progress in graph format.

all the facts?

by winesap - 2009-01-06 01:01:51

I too rely on my brain - I'm a practicing scientist. The PM actually had the opposite impact on me - the lack of long pauses increased my mental acuity. You did not say if you are taking cardio meds - some like beta blockers can be real downers. You indicate you are taking herbs - just another name for natural drugs. I'm not certain that medical science fully understands the interaction of all herbal and prescribed medication. Be sure your cardiologist and herbalist know everything you are taking and do some investigation on your own to see if there are potential interactions. See if there are medications that you can safely stop taking and see if your symptoms go away. Some medication has a long half life so it might take a couple weeks to feel the affect. Become an active partner in your treatment ...

Active Partner

by ppt - 2009-01-06 03:01:06

Angelie - Thx for the apology. Greatly appreciated.

winesap - Agree 100% in becoming an active partner. Thx for the support. The cardiologist knows the herbs I am taking. I really am a good kid - so sorry my posting seemed to upset some folks:-( Tomorrow I should know more - as I get pacemaker checkup - 1st since the implant. I have a ton of questions...

cabg Patch - I am a bit stunned by your response.

Brain Age

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-06 03:01:37

Angelie has a great idea with that one! It's a fun game and I can feel my mind kicking into gear as I play it. Until my 10 yr old kicks my butt, then I don't feel quite so sharp, lol. But it's still fun!

Good luck with your checkup tomorrow!

hmmmmm

by Angelie - 2009-01-06 10:01:12

I think if you weren't able to use your brain would you be able to type on this message board?
There's a new game series from Nintendo called Brain Age. This game might be a benefit to you.
I would say that I have to agree with Patch on this one. Using an acupuncturist is one thing, but depending on them for solid cardiac diagnosis is a bad idea. I went to one and he stated that my Ying and Yang was off balance, and he sent me on my way to drink this God awful tea with bits of grass, roots, and twigs.
I have SERIOUS heart arrhythmias and although herbalists and acupuncturists might help soothe certain symtoms, I would NOT lean entirely on their medical advice or lack of.
Are you able to understand this if you're not able to use your brain? You might see this as a bit sarcastic, but I have to admit it's a bit silly. I think someone of your demeanor would know how to articulate things better. I've never heard of anyone with a lack of desire to use their brain. I thought using one's brain is pretty much an involuntary task. It sounds more like to me that with your lack of desire to do the things in which you once enjoyed before your pacemaker implant, that perhaps you might be depressed.
Please keep us informed of your progress. Maybe your brain function will return to you and you'll be back to your normal self soon.
Wishing for a speedy recovery,
Angelie

OXY TO THE BRAIN

by Jonn - 2009-01-06 10:01:47

Hi PPT-listen my friend sadly your acupuncturist is not your cardiologist or regular MD. I can't give you an answer because I am not an MD. I had a pm implanted in December 2007 and I know it was hard for me to focus on anything after that event but the event itself and how I was going to live and what was going to happen to my family. So reading reports, books and things like that -was the furthest thing from my mind. My immediate concern was my condition and my family. And that concern my friend lasted for a very long time after the implant...... Now I neither graduated magna cum laude and hard to admit it I came nowhere close, nor was I an author-but I was a successful engineer and when this life changing event hit me it made me focus on what were the real priorities in my life and what was not. Put the primary focus on you and your family. And by the way lose the acupuncturist as a consult.
Good luck and happy new year,
Jonn

Misunderstaning

by ppt - 2009-01-06 12:01:14

Think there is a misunderstanding. I rely on my cardiologist for my cardiac care. The acupuncturist and the herbs I use as a "supplement" - not primary at all. I am an original Bostonian - very conservative - and I first went to acupuncturist at advice of Dr to try and see if it would help relive stress. It helped. So I continue ... and it continues to help. You guys sure misunderstood.

PPT - I totally agree with you

by Jade - 2009-01-07 01:01:49

I understand how you feel; previously you enjoyed challenging mental tasks, now what you feel like is more along the line of a couch potato.

There is a connection between the brain and heart. Every time you stand up, the brain sends a message to your heart to pump harder. The heart must beat harder so the blood that goes to your lower limbs will travel back around. You aren't suppose to notice it, but you will if it doesn't work right- it can be neurocardigenic syncope. This is why I have a PM.

Neurocardigenic syncope is a faulty communication from the brain to the heart doesn't let the blood circulate correctly and my heart rate drops and sometimes I would pass out. My heart stopped for 18 sec on the last tilt table.

After PM, the first things I noticed was my brain felt 'alert'. I was getting more oxygen. This tapered off and I feel like a couch potato or like my brain is sludge.

How you are feeling sounds like neurocadigenic syncope. Your acupunturist, for not being a medical Dr. nailed it VERY WELL!! They have read and understand the brain-heart connection and the Parasympathic and sympathic systems. A lack of oxygen can very well cause you to act like a couch potato- or that you are not motivated to use your brain.

I am disappointed in the reactions, I have only been on this site since Dec and I have never seen the responses so vicious!! You know the people going to accupunture and using herbal remedies are more aware, as individuals, with the innerworkings of the human body. Your post was NOT INTERPRETED as replacing a cardiologist with a witch doctor! lol

I came to this site for 'front line information'; or first hand experience; not a Jerry Springer show! But this too is an education in the temperment and accepting nature of other people.
Best wishes and read about mitochondrial malfunction.

I know how you feel

by markjbaker - 2009-01-07 04:01:26

I had a Cardiac arrest last summer and now have an ICD and I'm taking beta blockers. I find I am slower, physically and mentally. Doctors (my EP and occy) agreed that the beta blocker (Bisoprolol) was slowing me down so we halved the dose and I feel brighter. Another cardiologist suggested it could take a year to get back to normal.

I don't believe in acupuncture, in that there is no scientific basis for it; I don't believe in the traditional explanation for why it works. But the mind is connected to the body in ways we don't understand and the placebo effect is very powerful, so if it works for you, good for you. Herbal medicines can actually contain powerful active ingredients, equally they can contain nothing active at all. Either way I don't think they are a god idea, at best they are a waste of money, at worst they could be harmful.

There is a lot of evidence that people with cardiac problems suffer depression and/or anxiety and it is worth talking to a professional about it, maybe your concentration and motivation deficit is due to depression and you can get help for it.

In my small experience I would bet that the beta blocker is causing your problem. The best thing to do is to talk to your cardiologist about changing to a different beta blocker or modifying the does, but don't change it without talking to him.

besides the beta blockers...

by PreciousDays - 2009-01-08 12:01:22

I, too, have spent my life primarily living in my head - far more connected to my brain than my body some would say.

After the pacer/ICD implant - bleah..... totally unable to concentrate - disinterested in pretty much everything.

The beta blocker dose was adjusted and then changed - but without much improvement -

In my case it turned out to be the beginning of a profound depression - who knew? (who cared?) Once that was effectively dealt with the ability and desire to concentrate returned - Good luck - PD

Apologies for being late responding

by ppt - 2009-01-16 03:01:01

Thx to all who commented. Please let me reiterate that my cardiologist is my primary care taker of my heart and all related to it. The acupuncture and the herbs have helped my stress - the stress I have been under for the past 3 years has been unbelievable...I wish I had learned to say "no" earlier in my life. A difficult client with an impossible project and we (the whole team) pulled a rabbit out of a hat - but at my expense. The cardiologist knows what I am taking as supplements and has not issue with them. I have been switched from Lopressor to Enalapril and it seems to be improving . I too have thought about depression - but having been there before (bad postpartum) I know that what I am feeling is not depression. I love my days - the weather is beautiful, my son and wife and grandson (3 yrs old) are in Florida for the season, she just announced she is pregnant again (I can not WAHOOOO yet because she is high risk - so we walk on tip toes for a few months), I have worked outside everyday now - and today babysat my grandson for 3 hours while his Mom was at the Drs etc.. We dug in the grden, we bulldozed weeds, we read books sitting on the lawn ... I could not ask for anything more. :-))))))))

ppt

by jessie - 2009-02-27 11:02:47

it took me 3 months to recover and then i was good. i was so tired every day i slept in the p.m. and then at night. gradually i felt better. the point is everyone is different and yes for 4 months i was not putting out to my organs the oxygen required to keep all healthy. i have pictures form that time and i look like any sec cardiac arrest. i didn't know this i was so weak and fainting and i just didn't care. so i really understand. take care jessie

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