I think my mom is worse!

My mom is 56 years old and had a pacemaker/defibrilator inserted about 3 weeks ago.  She has about 15% use of her heart and congestive heart failure.After the surgery, the doctor said she should feel a little better, but actually I think she is worse.  She can not walk very far, she can't sleep, everything tires her out from making dinner to just walking up-stairs to bed.She used to watch my 4 year old son, but now doesn't seem very interested.Just wondering if this is a depression phase or if she just isn't completely healed yet?The doctor said she didn't have any restrictions, but not to strain herself.I don't know where to turn for advice.Any ideas??Thanks in advance!!

6 Comments

What medications is she taking

by johnb10000 - 2009-07-15 10:07:06

What medications is your mom taking? The combination of medications I am currently taking make me tired and I can't walk very far either. I have an ablation scheduled tomorrow and if it works then I can reduce or eliminate most of my medications.

Other people on the forum had improvement when they changed the pacemaker settings.

Mom Worse

by SMITTY - 2009-07-15 10:07:34

Hello,

I'm guessing that this is your first visit to the Pacemaker Culb, so let me say welcome.

I'm in total agreement with JohnB about the medications, for what that is worth. But I have been on some medications for my heart disease that caused depression and made me as tired all the time as if I had just run in a marathon. I too have lost all interest in things that used to be very special to me because of medications

Pacemakers do not automatically come with the settings that are right for a particular person. It sometimes takes 1 to 3 or 4 tries to get it tuned the way it should be. One thing for certian, she should not feel worse after she gets the pacemaker, especially if the doctor says she has no restrictions. That usually means the surgery has healed.

So bug that doctor to find out what is wrong and if you are not successful with him don't hesitate to try another doctor, if at all possible. Many of us have learned the hard way that if we don't, in effect, make a nuisance of ourselves we did not get help we need. MY opinion is that for some doctors it is out of sight, out of mind.

I wish her the best,

Smitty

Tell her to hang on in there!!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-07-16 03:07:26

Hi! I was an emergency case and had no idea there was anything wrong with me. After i got my pm i felt absolutely dreadful for a couple of months or so, out of breath, depressed, could hardly walk without being soooooooooo out of breath. Then............suddenly just started to feel better. I'm the same age as your mum and am now back hiking, dancing, etc. So, as I said, tell her to hang on in there, but do try to do some walking every day, so she doesnt lose her muscle.

HH

ditto

by Tracey_E - 2009-07-16 07:07:28

What Smitty said! She needs some more time to heal. It could be depression, it could be the meds, it could be her settings. I'd stay on top of the doctors and get them to look into it.

Depression

by dward - 2009-07-16 11:07:00

While John B. and Smitty are absolutely correct about the PM settings - depression is fairly common in Cardio' patients. The fact you mentioned it is interesting, because you would be one of the best people to notice.
This is something you may want to talk to her Doctor about.

All the best...

Thank you!!

by timsueshd - 2009-07-16 11:07:43

Thank you for your input, it really helps. Especially because the people I know who have had pacemakers put in haven't really experienced any problems.

I have a call into her Cardiologist and she has an appointment with her General doctor on Monday (which I will be going to).

I just want her to feel better and get back to normal, somewhat!

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.