I'm 52 years old and had my PM implanted one month ago. I"m constantly checking my heart rate and worried that something will go wrong. I have an upset part of most days. I have had one or dizzy spells. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

 

The "shock" (pun intended) will wear off. It took me about 6 months to stop freaking out and stressing. What you have to realize is that you are more safe now then you were for the months leading up to the surgery.

You know what is going on, your doctors know what is going on. It's all good. Or as good as it can be. Sit back relax and realize that you are in control of it, it is not in control of you.

Best of luck, many happy years of pacing ahead of you. The best benefit is when you travel and NEVER have to wait in line with all those poor saps that have to go through the metal detector.

You get express check now!

 

Hi linsj,
Welcome to Pacemaker Club! Like most things having to do with pacemakers, each person's experience is unique. Some people experience debilitating and long-lasting anxiety after getting a PM, some people sail through as if they in fact had "minor" surgery with little or no stress, and everything in between. If you use the "search" feature (top right hand corner in the gray band) and type in the words "anxiety" or "stress" to find previous postings on this topic, you'll find the full range of experiences and solutions to the problem. In any case, you should not feel that you're in any way unusual for being stressed out and anxious.

Having said that, I completely agree with stillshocked that you are more safe now than you were for the months leading up to the surgery. Checking your pulse is mostly a useless exercise, because there are sometimes weak beats you cannot feel with your fingers, and the checking will make you think your pulse is lower than it really is, or that you're skipping beats or something. Having a dizzy spell is not unusual at all, though it can be disconcerting. It's likely that your PM still needs fine-tuning to have the best settings for you to feel good. We all come out of the hospital with "factory settings" that are not what will work best for us in the long run. When you go for follow-up appointments you should tell your doctor ANY symptoms or issues you have and request adjustments. You may need the lower beats-per-minute setting increased (if you are still feeling lethargic) or decreased (if you are feeling like your heart is beating too fast or too heavily); you may need the voltage reduced (if you are feeling a fluttering or tickling feeling in your throat or chest wall); you may need the upper beats-per-minute setting increased or reduced; you may need the Rate Response Mode turned on or off. In short, there are many settings that can affect how you feel, and you should learn what they are and how they can improve your life, so you can ask your doctor questions. Again, try the "search" feature here and type in "settings" and see what you'll learn -- it's amazing the wealth of information that is available here.

I'm 51 years old, got my PM 16 months ago, had a few dizzy spells in the months after, and now everything is great and my life is back to normal, including lots of outdoor activities like running, kayaking, hiking and bicycling. You're going through the hardest part of this now, and things will improve -- really! Hang in there and try to breathe deeply and get outside for a walk every day. You will be fine. Learn a lot and ask lots of questions, both here and at your doctor's office.

Take care, CathrynB

 

Hello,

Welcome to the club! I am on day 71 since implant, and it took me a full 2 months before my "weird feelings" began to really subside. I am 60. My pacemaker was implanted because of heart block. I have had dizzy spells, queazy stomach, light headedness, essentially a lot of the same symptoms I had before my pacemaker. I am sure my anxiety about it all didn't help matters, but I also believe we have to give our bodies time to adjust to this new "partner" we have in life.

The settings you will eventually have changed I am sure will help you feel better, but they likely won't be done before your leads have firmly set.

You aren't alone, it is "normal" the stuff you are feeling for many of us. The thing is many doctors play down the whole recovery time and recovery issues so we just aren't prepared for them. I got the idea from my doctors I would feel much better immediately! This just wasn't the case.

I still have odd days when I feel some of the symptoms and I imagine it will take a good year before they go away. They may not go away at all, I do not know. But, I no longer fear of passing out unexpectedly.

My doctor gave me some medication (Ativan) for my anxiety prior to my pacemaker (I knew in advance) and it really helped me. I have used it sometimes since implant when I feel really "jumpy". You might ask your doctor about something to help with the anxiety.

Good luck. Give yourself time. I realize it is difficult to continue to be patient. I know I am eager to be able to get on with life and not wait any longer!

Swedeheart

 

First off, welcome to the club.

Anxiety is normal for some after getting a pacemaker. I too take Ativan when needed. I also kept checking my pulse in my neck for months and months after I got my pacemaker...got to be a bad habit.

My question is this: were you ever dizzy before the pacemaker?

Also, check your meds...they might be the culprit for your dizziness.

Also, so a "search" up in the upper right top corner, main page, and you can research a lot of information on this wonderful site.

Hope you get your answers...

Pookie

 

I had my PM in January of this year and like yourself I was checking my heart rate every five minutes. Now, I only ever check it once at night before sleep. My anxiety is getting better and I am sure yours will too. As most of the more educated pacers will tell you, learn to trust the pacemaker, it is a friend not an enemy.

Take care