Got my settings bumped up!

Hi. I got my pm on 5/3/2010. As I started to heal, I wanted to just get back to my normal, active life. My doctor said, "Be active. Your pacemaker has to get to know you". Well, I really tried all summer long. I had such episodes of breathlessness; and wondered if the hot, humid summer were to blame. After 3 calls to the nurse, she finally called and said I was scheduled to have a breathing test. They never told me the results of that test, rather they called again to say my doctor had ordered a stress test! Ok. The tech told me they were going to try to get my heart rate up to 146 b.p.m. while on the treadmill. I said, "Fine; I know I'm in good hands here, let's put the pedal to the metal and see what's going on". After 10 minutes, at a near-run (3.2 m.p.h.) I asked her if we were near our target rate. She said she couldn't get my heart to go over 114 b.p.m. Wow! I was scheduled for a revisit and then my doctor said, "Because you're so young, your settings were too low". I'm 54 years old; that's not youngish, yet I'm always the youngest patient in his waiting room. I've always been a very hard worker and a physically active person. He reset my pm four days ago and it has been nice to not get out of breath walking from my car into church! I took a short walk when I got home, just to try it out and I think this is going to be a big improvement. I'm hoping that my mood lifts now, with this improvement and I can be more physically active like I used to be.

4 Comments

Excellent news!!!!!!

by Pookie - 2010-10-19 11:10:38

Hi.

I'm always so happy to see when a member has received good news and their lives are about to improve.

May I ask you what your setting were and what are they set to now?????

I had my settings adjusted about 7 months ago, (and I go back in on this Thursday) and ONE little setting adjustment gave me some of my life back. I still have a a ways to go, but I will get there!!!!

We have computers in our chests, sophiscated ones at that, and it really boils down to how well trained and updated our PM techs are ..that's my opinion.

My walking has improved too....it's the little things that we once took for granted...now that we can do them again, doesn't it feel AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

Take care,
Pookie

I don't know my setting numbers

by Meema417 - 2010-10-20 08:10:59

My doctor doesn't seem to give me information like other members have so readily. I don't know any of my settings, I don't know the percentage of time I'm pacing or any of the other technical things members discuss. I have a St. Jude PM Clinic tomorrow and I know he wants to see me then, because he told the nurse last week when I was there to get the settings changed. It's probably just his style; but I will ask. I'm going to get out and take a long walk on the trails today, so I can really report back to him how much improved I am while walking up hills. If the breathlessness continues, his next guess is that I have a partial blockage and that would indicate the need for a heart catheterization. God, I hope not! Right now, I need to get my anxiety under control, to rule that out as part of my breathlessness. I am so thankful I found this website. The wonderful members here answered so many of my questions after my pm was implanted. I've put all members on my prayer list--I don't know any of you, but you are all so precious to me. Thank you, one and all!

Conservative settings

by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-20 12:10:01

Most docs have little experience dealing with patients in good cardiac health that need pacemakers. They assume the need for a pacer is an indication that other problems are present so use very conservative settings.

I bypassed the stress test and simply insisted that my upper limit be set to 150. That didn't mean I planned on running my HR up to 150, I just wanted the pacemaker out of my way so I could determine my level for myself. This is no different than before I needed the pacer.

I'm 80yrs and my calculated upper limit is 140 with target exercise rate of 120. A week ago I hiked around at 8,000' with my daughter and family and had my HR up around 130-135 for a good hour. No ill effects or problems other than sore muscles the next day.

The treadmill test isn't a bad idea as it gives you confidence in your capabilities. It's also a good way to treat doctor anxiety!! LOL

frank

frank

Sounds familiar

by i_nurse99 - 2010-10-28 11:10:24

Meema417 your experience sounds alot like mine. My pacemaker was implanted in June 2009 and at my 6 week interrogation I complained of shortness of breath with minimal activity. I am 50 years old and have asthma, so I was told I need a pulmonary workup so after going through all kinds of tests some of which were not pleasant; pulmonary told me they couldn't find any reason for my shortness of breath. I had trouble getting results of my pacemaker checks and they wouldn't tell me anything about the pacemaker checks. In August 2010 I got my letter that I had an appointment to come to the office, I though I was to see the doctor and have my pacemaker checked...wrong. I didn't get to see the doctor and the pacemaker tech was on his cell phone during the entire appointment. When I saw my pulmonologist a week later he scheduled me a consult with a cardiologist in his clinic. I saw that cardiologist yesterday and I came away with a much better understanding of how my pacemaker works and what it can do. They adjusted the settings and I feel so much better today, no shortness of breath. I don't want to run a marathon but I do want to be able to do things that all my 50 year old friends can do. I joined curves a month ago because they was telling me I was deconditioned and needed to get some exercise. Today I had my best day ever at curves.

You know you're wired when...

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This is my second Christmas with my pacemaker and I am so happy to be with my family.