Pacemaker nightmare

Two weeks ago, I had my 15 yr old pacemaker replaced by a Medtronic model 5024M-58. I have not had a moment of peace since its insertion.
I immediately got severe indigestion which the Dr attributed to the strong antibiotic. I also felt a pain in my upper chest resonating to my jaw. After a week the "indigestion" abated but the problem with the pain in my upper chest/jaw persisted.
I also developed a sense that an electric impulse was radiating accross the top of my chest. I developed shortness of breath, rapid heart beat, and dizziness. I cannot tolerate the least physical exertion.

The pacemaker was tested and pronounced OK. I had a stress test/blood test/ and nothing unusual was discovered. I just completed 24hrs on a heart monitor and will return it tomorrow 5/10/10.

Noone will listen to me. The bottom line: I went into the hospital healthy and two weeks later I am almost a invalid! Has anyhone out there experienced this problem?

1 Comments

Time to be assertive

by ElectricFrank - 2010-05-10 02:05:39

Since things were going fine until the replacement and you know you are feeling things that shouldn't be there, something is wrong.

Let them know you expect them to find and fix the problem and don't be put off.

One other suggestion is to ask for (demand if necessary) a copy of the pacemaker pre and post programming report. Sometimes a busy doc will program the pacer to try to get around a lead problem by going to unipolar mode or turning the voltage way up. Either can give you that sensation of being shocked. If he/she knows you have a copy of the report it can be a motivator. They don't like to have some of their methods documented in writing.

best of luck,

frank

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