pounding feelings

Had my new battery implanted 3/24 and woke up with my chest moving up and down like a beating elephant's heart. The dr. told me it was not my heart chambers. My pacer was changed with a new battery and another line. He said the line he just put in followed a large vein but it was rather long. The feeling I'm having they refer to is like hiccups. Not so. For me it was like my heart pounding out of my body. I'm satisfied it is not my heart. I was told they may have to tweak my pacer to rid it of this situation (not uncommon). I was told the line has a little more slack in it due to the vein it was inserted through.
I'm hopeful this is not an issue I should be leary of.
Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, mme

5 Comments

hiccups

by Hot Heart - 2010-03-26 04:03:30

my doc told me that if i ever experienced hiccups i should let him know, dont know if he meant immediately or not. Perhaps someone will come in soon who knows a bit more than me.

Good luck

HH

Hiccups

by ElectricFrank - 2010-03-27 01:03:09

The main cause of hiccups with a pacemaker is that it is stimulating the diaphragm. This can be a sign that a lead has come loose, which is why they want you to let him know.

To give you that much pounding and motion it would take more than a tweak to the pacer to deal with it. Could be a bad lead. Just be sure they solve the problem and don't try to make some sort of work around to avoid fixing a lead. The best idea is to ask for a copy of the pre and post programming report. They are more likely to do the job right if they know you have a record of what was done.

frank

I've been there

by cruz - 2010-04-10 12:04:33

Almost immediately after PM installed (5 wks ago) in hospital, the hiccups started. They are more than a normal hiccup and can be seen from across the room. The nurse was initially alarmed, but after a phone call, a tech showed up with equipment and "tweaked" the setting and the problem went away. They told me to call if I had any problems and I continued to intermittently have the hiccups. Most frequently, it would be when I got in a certain position (on my side) or right after a meal. I went back to the EP and their tech who does the adjustments said that it's the lead touching a nerve. He said he can turn the setting down, but needs it at a certain rate for it to do it's job. Incidentally, they had a difficult time getting a vein for the lead and they told me that the lead is not perfectly positioned. I've just always assumed that had something to do with it. I still occasionally have the hiccups but I've been told it's not a problem other than an annoyance to me and to call and they will check and adjust if it continues. It's less frequent, but now I become concerned if the day goes by and no hiccups because it makes me think the lead has come loose. Call the EP's office. I know that it is more than a little annoying and can be scary.
Good luck,
CC

Not hiccups but spasms

by summachick7 - 2010-04-23 04:04:47

I have been experiencing something to the effect of what you guys are mentioning. It feels almost like palpatations or a spasm and it only happens occasionally (usually at night) and more so when I lay on my left side. It wakes me up out of a sound sleep. I know I should just get it checked out..but I wanted to make sure I wasnt crazy first!

thumping

by susan-59 - 2010-05-25 11:05:48

I've been having the same pounding/thumping/spasm-ing feelings, including being able to see the movement of my chest from across the room. Finally my card. saw it yesterday and reset me. He said that if that didn't work he'd have to put in a new lead. I was thumping again by the time I got home from his office. I am tired of being tired. I'd appreciate any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

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