Why am I not feeling better!

It has been 2 months since my implant and other than the actual fainting part, I have seen no change in my condition. I still have episodes almost weekly and sometimes several times a day where I get dizzy and feel like I am going to pass out. My doctor is telling me that he thinks it is just post tramatic stress from almost dying and having to have emergency surgery to install the pacemaker. I think it is BUNK! This is the same man who told me that the several similar episodes before having to be rushed in to have the pacemaker installed were inner ear infections or vertigo and treated for that! Something still is not right, but no one is listening,,,just like before!

3 Comments

New To This

by SMITTY - 2010-05-07 02:05:45


Hello Bess,

I take it you may be a new member, so welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

I'm sorry you are not feeling better, but you are not the first to find that to be their experience after getting a pacemaker. There are several possibilities of which I can think.

a - Pacemaker settings are not right for you. This happens frequently, and is relatively easy to correct PROVIDED you can get the doctor to agree changes are needed. Too often the doctor has already taken his best shot and to keep from trying to do something when he doesn't know what is needed puts him in the misdiagnoses is category. A good way to know if this is happening is listen or watch for such statements as "your pacemaker is working fine" or "the pacemaker is not the cause of the problem."

b - Misdiagnosis. You would not be the first to have that happen. Of course hell will freeze over before the doctor admits that.

c - The doctor had run out of ideas how to help the patient and the patient had at least one symptom that a pacemaker would help so it is a case of "let's try this." Since pacemaker implant surgery is considered simple surgery, it seems that some doctors look upon a pacemaker the same as they would a medication they think may help. They do this with out thinking that stopping some medication that is not doing any good is infinitely more easy than removing a pacemaker.

Now, what are your options? For me the first thing that comes to mind is be sure the doctor knows about your problem, If telling the Dr about your problem does not get the results you need, try for a second opinion. If that is not feasible become the squeaking wheel that gets the grease. Some doctors take the attitude of our of sight out of mind. A loudly squeaking wheel prevents you from becoming part of that group.

Good luck,

Smitty



what Smitty said!

by Tracey_E - 2010-05-07 09:05:11

Smitty said it perfectly. A pm is not a treatment for vertigo or inner ear infections. Those will make you dizzy but neither one causes fainting. The first thing I would do is get another opinion, preferably from an electrophysiologist, someone who specializes in electrical problems of the heart. An ep is in the best position to evaluate your condition and decide how to fix it. Good luck!

I agree

by rvrs7081 - 2010-05-11 05:05:08

with Smitty. When a doctor doesn't listen, change doctors. Mine didn't listen and told me to go on with my 6 month vacation of travel after an ekg. Less than 48 hours after he told me I was fine, I got the pm emergency surgery. I have vertigo and know the difference. I will always squeak my wheels now. You are important enough to speak up. There really are good caring doctors. My cardiologist asks me for ANY questions and encourages me to ask them at every visit. Good luck.

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.