Just shoot me now.......

and get it over with......LOL.

When I was implanted with this wonderful pacer of mine 8/08, I was set to pace at 60bpm. In April '09, I couldn't tolerate the rate of 60 anymore as it put me into an accelerated junctional escape rhythm with AV dissociation. The reps were called in and we turned my rate up to 70bpm.

Fast forward 4 months, and I am back at square one. Now I can't tolerate my low rate at 70 and my cardiologist is going to suggest to my EP to have my rate turned up to 75bpm in hopes that doing so will over-ride the junctional rhythm.

I'm in limbo at the moment while my docs come up with a plan. Meanwhile, I'm just peachy living like someone's using my breastbone as a trampoline. (just them doing so....makes me tired and short of breath- so tell 'em to stop, will ya)

It's questionable, my attendance at the Tampa event. I do hope that I can make it, but everything is all up in the air right now, and I've still got to get shoes. LOL.....Honestly, I'll be heartbroken if I don't get to go; that once again my health will have gotten in the way of my dreams......

Always a bummer when you're forced to put life on hold. The sad thing is that LIFE doesn't hold for you.....always revolving, always ticking away with or without your participation.

4 Comments

have that rhythm, too

by golden_snitch - 2009-09-10 02:09:35

Hi Angelie!

I have that accelerated junctional or av-nodal rhythm with av-dissociation, too. Can't stand it! My lower rate is set at 70bpm, too, and 65bpm when I rest. I'm on Amiodarone at the moment, and this accelerated av-nodal rhythm is one reason for it (I have some additional atrial arrhythmia). Nothing really helped. It was very difficult to slow it down. But the Amiodarone now works for me. If you are not on any meds, you could try a low dosage of betablockers to slow the rhythm down. Probably that works out for you.

Best wishes
Inga

me too

by djhman - 2009-09-10 11:09:00

I couldn't take beta blockers (they gave me chest pressure) but have been on Digoxin for 3 years now and it helps. I have to have my low rate at 90 to override it. Tried to lower the rate and it didn't work. The only problem with it is I'll go thru batteries faster. My first one lasted 4 years but this time they put in a bigger one with a longer battery life. My other option would be to increase the Digoxin but I'd rather keep it lower now just in case I'll need higher doses later.

basic rate / rest rate

by golden_snitch - 2009-09-11 01:09:20

Hi Angelie!

Well, some pacers have a basic and a rest rate, or for daytime and nighttime. The first one (medtronic kappa 401sr) I had had the daytime/nighttime setting, but that wasn't always helpful because every day at 11:30 p.m. the lower rate would go down from 70 to 65 (if you want to party, you can imagine that this is not exactly what you want). My new pacer (sorin reply dr) has this basic/rest rate setting. I don't know how exactly it works, but the pacer does "know" when I'm resting (lying down, sleeping), and then the rate goes down to 65. I don't think that happens during daytime at all, at last I have never been aware of this switch to the lower rate, but it does go down when I sleep (can see that on holter monitors). My accelerated av-nodal rhythm was mostly during daytime so it's ok to have a lower minimum rate at night.

As for the battery: mine didn't deplete any faster because of the lower rate of 70/65 bpm. When they took my first pacer out - I needed an upgrade to a dual-chamber pacer - I have had for six years and there were about 2.5.-3.0 years of battery life left. I have had my new pacer for roughly a year now, and the battery status is still very, very good, and actually not much lower than in the beginning.

Best wishes,
Inga

accelerated junctional rhythm

by Angelie - 2009-09-11 09:09:44

this rhythm is not particularly fast, actually the opposite. Junctional rhythm is usually very slow from 40-60 beats per minute. Mine is accelerated because it's higher than 60bpm at a rate of about 70.
It's not the same as tachycardia.
Snitch,
I don't understand how your lower rate can be 70 AND 65, as it's usually only one set lower rate.

I was mainly wondering what the average low setting is. Wondering how many people out there are set at above 70. I know my battery will deplete itself faster, but that's of no concern to me at all. I'm just a little concerned about my heart rate NEVER going below 75 or possibly 80. That to me, doesn't sound good either.

You know you're wired when...

You’re officially battery-operated.

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I’m healthy as a horse because of the pacemaker.