I have had my pacemaker about 5 weeks now and have had problems with the atrial lead stimulating my diaphram. The pacemaker rep's have made adjustments to it 3 times to try to keep it from stimulating my diaphragm. Each time it seemed to make to me feel worse. Is this all in my head that I would not feel as well as I did in the first 1-2 weeks before they made any adjustments? Before adjustments I did not notice my heart rate increasing but now I do. I do have tachy-brady sydrome (SSS) but was hoping if my bradycardia was controlled it might improve my tachy episodes. Any advice would help.

 

 

Your pacemaker can correct the bradycardia, but is not likely to help the tacky-brady directly. This is usually treated with an antiarrhythmic medication. These meds slow the heart rate to a point the arrhythmia stops and the pacemaker then brings the heart rate back to the low set point on the PM with out the arrhythmia. Works for some and no to well for some. Also the meds used can have undesirable effects for SOME people.

Neither is likely to help the diaphragm stimulation. Usually the only way to help this is through pacemaker settings adjustments or relocating the lead that is letting the impulse from the PM get to the phrenic nerve which causes the diaphragm stimulation.

 

Let them know you're feeling worse since they made the changes! It could be that the first settings are going to work best, it could be that the lead has moved a bit and is causing more problems. Either way, they need to know what's happening.

 

Well, I finally got to see my EP specialist. I was very impressed with him. He told me that I needed to have my leads replaced and repositioned to help get rid of the diaphragm stimulation. He was very good about listening to my concerns and did not make me feel like I was crazy. He also explained that I would be completely asleep during the procedure. I was awake on the previous two and did not want to go through that again. I really wish I had gone to an EP specialist to place the PM in the first place. He explained how he would be doing some mapping in order to get the best location and results. Keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Hopefully, third time will be the charm!