Weakness and fatigue

I have had my Medtronic PM since January/2010. It took me several months to gain my strength back, especially in my legs. Have had feelings of "heaviness" in my lower extremities. For the past 4 months I have been doing pretty well. Seem to be getting used to my PM and getting my energy back. Last evening while at a dinner, I came very close to passing out. I had told my husband earlier that I was feeling pretty tired and had no energy. After I got my wits back, I took my pulse and it was 52. When this happened I was told I turned white and broke out in a sweat all over. My rate is set at 50-130 so I am guessing that my heart rate took a nosedive. This is the first time that this has happened. I have had my pulse go down to about 56 with no effects. My husband took me to the ER and the Dr there ran bloodwork, EKG, and CAT scan of my head. All tests were normal so I was sent home and told to contact my Cardio Dr. Monday. I am curious to see what the interrigation will reveal. Surely this will have recorded as an "event". Today I am still feeling weak, legs a bit wobbly. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone? Kind of scary. I was thinking I was fixed!!! Thanks Jeane/Texas

8 Comments

Maybe this will help

by 8thID - 2010-09-19 02:09:29

I'm new to the club--I have an ICD which was placed on 7/27/10. I had something similar happen just about 2 days before my first 2 week check-up. I felt AWFUL--shortness of breath, no energy, etc. This went on for 2 days and my pulse never went above 52. During my check-up they found the reason--I was, and had been, in complete heart block. They adjusted one setting right then, and I felt like I could run a marathon immediately. So, maybe there is some sort of block going on in there that could be sorted out immediately when you see your Dr. I hope it all works out well for you. Take Care!

Jeff

I feel You Doubts

by New Me - 2010-09-19 02:09:42

Having had my Medtronic PM a little less then three weeks, same effects occur with me. Days since some have great strength, some days when walking stopping many times as before inplantation. Cause that brought this man made peice into my body was A-Fib diagnosed months ago, wearing an ECG showed after episodes heart would stop for up to seven seconds. HR goes from 60-112 at times, cold sweats, etc as you. Told by the nurse during a call that I should go to my primary doctor for that and without being given any true answers told to make an appt with the doctor, did so gave him all my concerns to be told, good on the HR, nothing about the cold sweats though now thankful someone else states the same, though not wishing them on anyone sorry, but now at least I know its not in my mind. Asked the doc what rate the PM was set only to be told, he did not remember, so I asked in none medical but direct question, so this it just to keep the heart beating not the rate, yes...well..my thoughts are doctors are medical people book smart not understanding emotional effects of the surgery, not understanding one who has never thought need of a battery and wires placed, time will help I am told, acceptance..its not a fix just a method to help Jeane

Wait Until You See Doctor

by J.B. - 2010-09-19 04:09:16

If your heart rate had dropped below 50 the pacemaker would have kicked in and kept it there and you would never known it happened.

My guess is your problem did not involve your pacemaker. There are many things going on in our heart and failure of any of them can cause us to feel poorly. As for finding out what happened when you get a pacemaker checkup, what the pacemaker has recorded may not tell anything about why you felt bad. Pacemakers do not record low heart rate. They record high rates and will also tell you if you experienced an episode of A-fib or V-fib. Either of these can upset the heart rhythm to the point not enough blood is being pumped and can make you feel bad to the point of passing out. Most pacemakers will record A-fib or V-fib attacks and tell how long they occurred.

You said "I was thinking I was fixed." A pacemaker stops low heart rate, nothing else. With 3rd degree block you heart would probably need the help of a pacemaker to keep your heart rate from going to low from time to time.

So wait until you describe your symptoms to the doctor and see what he says happened.

RE: weakness and Fatigue

by jm - 2010-09-19 04:09:21

Thank y'all so much for taking the time to respond! It makes it so much easier when you realize there are other folks out there with the same issues. I was diagnosed with 3rd degree heart block which is why I have the pacemaker. I am wondering if my heart rate did indeed drop to 50 which is the low setting and then my PM kicked in....I would have thought it would not have taken so long to recover. Guess I will find out tomorrow. Thanks again!

Sudden HR drop

by ElectricFrank - 2010-09-19 05:09:09

It isn't just a matter of how low your HR went. A sudden drop can also cause an episode of feeling light headed. There is a feature in the Medtronic pacers called Rate Drop which senses a fast drop and quickly takes over and keeps it from happening. You may need to have it turned on.

By the way the doc not knowing what your setting are is a good reason to ask (or insist) for a copy of the pre and post programming report at each interrogation. I always carry a copy of most recent with me when I'm traveling as well.

frank

May not be related but sharing...

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-09-19 06:09:42

Hi Jeane,
I had a similar situation as you described. My situation occurred when my HR reached to upper limit and the PM then pushed my HR down rapidly causing me to feel light headed, and my legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs, got very hot and by BP went sky high. Do you know if your HR was high prior to the symptoms you had? I discussed with my EP and he said that will happen when your HR reaches the upper setting and it will respond by pushing your HR down to the lower setting. Since my HR normally runs high it didn't take much for the PM to push me back down leaving me feeling aweful. He did change my upper settings and that helped except for I now go into tachycardia much more frequently. Guess it's a trade off. Hope that may help.

Heidi

Try 60

by Duke60 - 2010-09-20 02:09:44

Ask them to set you at 60.
Since you state 56 you feel fine, but at 52 not.

setting

by Finn - 2010-09-20 09:09:01

My st jude pacemaker is set at 70 for a low limit and i feel great. previous to the pm being installed my hr was in the 30's and 40's. It took me a little while to get used to the setting, i am a 50 yr old male. good luck

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Member Quotes

A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.