I've had my PM for about a year and a half and can't understand why I'm so lax.
I have no energy and thought the PM would do the trick.
I fall asleep in my chair while watching TV and while I want to plan to get out of the house and go to line dancing lessons, my energy is soooo low. I haven't the drive to move out of my own way.
My sugar level is OK .
Does anyone have any ideas as to what is going on?

 

 

Hi.

I am in the same boat as you and have been since I've had my pacer since late 2004. I am currently under the care of an EP who is trying to get to the bottom of my issues which are:

extreme fatigue
brain fog most days
can sleep 12-16 hrs/day (but don't allow myself to)
shortness of breath
headaches
achey legs
edema in both legs (more in the left leg)
lightheadedness/dizziness
heart that thumps & pounds (not fast, just really hard)

The first thing that comes to my mind is: Are you on any medications because some can cause fatigue, especially Beta Blockers.

I don't have an answer for you (or me) yet....I am currently wearing yet another Loop/Event Recorder for as long as it takes for my EP to get some good evidence before he decides or makes the decision that I do have Junctional Rhythm for sure. I was even thinking I may have Pacemaker Syndrome as an ER doctor thought I did plus another Cardiologist I saw about 2 years ago brought up that possibility too.

Perhaps you should consult with your family doctor and/ or cardiologist as it could be that it is not pacemaker related. Were you always exhausted prior to the pacemaker? And you didn't state why you had the pacemaker. And have you had your pacemaker checked lately? Do you have a good Ejection Fraction? Have you ever been seen by an EP?

Your lack of energy could be coming from anywhere. Have you had your blood "done" lately?

I really think you need to talk to your doctor about this as why wait around hoping like heck it will get better on its own? Life is too short.

However, I have read and was told that 30% of people feel wonderful after having their pacemakers and the rest of us don't. Bottom line: at least our hearts are still ticking. :)

Take care.
Pookie

 

I just got my blood work report back yesterday and everything is fine.
I'm not a hypochondriac either.
I do take Lexapro and Lisinopril that should interfere at all.
I never heard of pacemaker Syndrome . Will look this up for myself and see what this is all about.
Thank you for replying so soon.

 

Hi,
After 2 1/2 yrs. of sob and fatigue so bad I had to rest long periods everyday, I found out that my EP had not turned on the rapid rate response in my PM. He turned it on last week and I feel like a new person. I take lots of meds including 2 types of blockers.
Don't let up on the Docs.
Jack

 

7 months post PM. Feel like crap most days. Better than I was 3 months ago though