Hi, I am a 45 year old female I had a PM implanted 6/30/10 after a trip to the ER thinking I was either having a heart attack or a panic attack ( I just didn't feel normal) They decide to keep me overnight to monitor me and then the nurse wouldn't let me sleep because my heart rate went to 30 and my BP was around 90/45. After staying up all night I was sent to do a stress test on tread mill of course I didn't reach 200, I was sooo sleepy. Then they did an Echo and some other test and decided I had Brady Cardia I needed a pacemaker. Well since then I've still felt anxious and jittery in my stomach and ringing in my ears!
I went to GP he put me on an antidepressant Celexa 20mg.. I only took one pill and I felt like I was on LSD or something, and he took me off cholesterol med (SimvaStatin) I had only taken for a month (trying to control with diet)
I am just wondering if any one else has any simular experience? I just want to feel normal again ! I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. only meds I'm on now is Levothyroxine 100mcg I had my thyroid removed in 2004.

 

 

Ask about a lighter short term med like Xanax the effects are shorter lasting unless you have a serious problem and need antidepressant meds.
Ringing in the ears can be caused by many things, I know as mine have ringed since 1985. Celexa will do nothing for that.
Feeling anxious and "jittery in my stomach" is a form of a panick attack which cost me lots of $$$$ to learn.
Xanax is the pill of choice for panic attacks.
Ask about 1mg twice a day.
When you get used to your new buddy in your mind, I got a feeling you will be okay.
The above is not medical advice.

 

First off I don't understand them doing a treadmill test when you have a HR of 30. If they wanted to verify atrial and ventricular response to exercise all they need to do was have you get up and walk around bit.

Also, keeping you awake is ridiculous. If your HR keeps going down the monitor will tell them, and there is nothing you can do about it. I had my HR down to 26 the night before implant and just got a good nights sleep. I felt lousy, but otherwise was doing OK.

As for the way you are feeling you may have had some sort of virus that brought on the original episode and you are still recovering. Or as you have mentioned it could be anxiety/panic. My preference is to stay off as much med as possible.

I agree with the other suggestions that things will likely settle down when you get used to having you pacer. You had a bit of a surprise when you suddenly had this all happen. And the response of the ER didn't help.

best wishes,

frank

 

I agree I think I will need time to adjust and accept that I have a pacemaker, and like it or not I suppose it keeps my heart beating at least 60 bpm. Hopefully I will get used to it. I just feel like I'm kinda amped up but kinda tired at the same time. It's comforting to me to have had you comment so soon.

Thank You,
Cindy

 

Hi for about the last week I have been feeling the same way. I have had my pm since 8-9-10. I ended up in er thus past week only for them to tell me that it was an anxiety attack and they gave me vestaril for that but I haven't taken any to see if it helps as I don't like taking meds I have never taken before. I have had these attacks before the pm but these seek to come on differently as like you said you just feel nervous and jittery un chest and stomach.