underlying rhythm

Well I am very disappointed today. I had my pacer interrogated very thoroughly today to try and find out why I have this "shocking" feeling. Found absolutely nothing, which I guess makes me happy to know it isnt my pacemaker but frustrated as dont know the cause of it. Anyways, if you recall I had a complete AV node ablation last June. Well up until today I had had junctional escape rhythm at a rate of 35-45 as seen when they tested my pacemaker. Well today I had absolutely squat... nada.... nil... zippo. He tested it twice, and made me so sick from the pause but there was nothing. My cardiologist told me this would likely happen at some point. But POOOOOOHHHHH only 9 months later? At 31 years old that is just disappointing. I guess I can truely say that my heart is on life support now cause one hiccup and I would go meet the good Lord. If you are a heart blocker or AV node ablatee (hahaha that was funny) what is your experience with your underlying rate? Has it ever come back?

5 Comments

underlying rate

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-03 08:03:07

That really sucks!! Good thing pm's don't hiccup very often.

I'm congenital complete av block. I was in the mid 20's the day I got my first pm and my underlying rate was always around there every time we checked. Last month when I got my new battery? 62 and I was in 2nd degree block. Go figure. I was still pacing 100% of the time, tho. Who knows what will happen next week or next month? Nothing is impossible.

DONT PANIC

by pete - 2010-03-04 03:03:58

You are worrying to much about the lack of residual pacing (rescue rhythym). It is often the case after an AV node ablation.What did you expect? The doctors should be able to handle this. I am more or less in the same position AV node ablation and 100 dependant , no residual pacing. I would personally be much more concerned about the "shocking" episodes. Cheers Peter

Hey there

by Angelie - 2010-03-04 11:03:49

I'm 34 years old and my underlying rhythm is junctional, but I consider that a blessing since before my 5 ablations I used to be tachy with flutter and fib. It's so much easier to treat slow rhythms than it is to treat fast ones.
I am sorry that you don't have any underlying rhythm anymore, and I know that must be a shock, but it's a good thing that you have your pacer to do the job.
I'm 100% atrial paced and I can do anything if I want to. I'm going to start training for another 5K soon. Don't let your titanium bling drag you down, but know you can always vent here if you need to. That's what this place is all about......SUPPORT. We all can use some from time to time, and a lot of understand what you're going through.

Angelie

underlying rate

by sam78 - 2010-03-04 12:03:02

I mean I know that my circumstances will not change. I know that I will now always be 100% dependant on my pacemaker.. but dang a little safety net would be nice huh.

Welcome to the modern world

by ElectricFrank - 2010-03-06 01:03:27

Not only are you dependent on your pacemaker but:

If you fly on any modern jet you are 100% dependent on the flight computer. If it quits you are toast.

As is evidenced by the Toyota recalls any modern auto is 100% computer dependent. Turning off the engine even requires the cooperation of the comupter. In the next few years the steering and brakes will also be totally electronic.

I could go on but you get the drift.

frank

You know you're wired when...

You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

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