Post PM Symptoms

I developed symptoms, shortness of breath, fatigue, and synocope(s) while on a trip to Italy. This was my first experience of symptoms. Otherwise being a health 55 year old man, who exercised regularly, and has normal BP and HR.

I was diagnosed with SSS and received my PM three weeks ago. I returned to work, and have expereinced some of the
symptoms, pre PM implant,(ie., shortness of breath, and pronounced heart beats after modest activity, after walking up stairs). The symptoms start in the A.M. after I get ready for work, and continue off and on throughout the day.

I was wondering if others have experienced this and is this to
be expected?

By the way, I find this web site and the people who contribute to it, to be a great resource. The information, and support are really helpful.

7 Comments

Hi Beachboy

by Pookie - 2010-07-17 09:07:36

Hi & Welcome.

I too had SOB (shortness of breath), a bit of fatigue (which I thought was just my getting older) and I started to have what I call lightheadedness right before I had to have my pacemaker. But none of these symptoms were bothersome or regular....not by a long shot.

Then one day I thought I was having a heart attack (at the age of 42) and went to the ER. After several tests and being referred to a Cardiologist - a pacemaker was suggested.

I got my pacer in November of 2004. Since then my SOB, fatigue and my lightheadedness (which turned into complete 100% dizziness) all got WORSE after having my pacer.

However - it's all in the settings for the most part. Sometimes it will take several or numerous trips to have your pacemaker adjusted to YOUR needs. It has taken me since November 2 of 2004 up to 4 months ago to finally feel almost okay...(I have numerous other medical issues). And I live in Canada where and I only get to have my pacemaker "interrogated" every 6 months so that is why it took SO long for ME to get where I am today.

Apparently when most of us initially get our pacers, we are sent home with default settings until we have our first "interrogation" with a Pacemaker Tech & usually a Cardiologist (or sometimes even an EP may be present; all of this can be different depending on where we live I've learned). This period is for 2 reasons as far as I have come to learn: to give your heart and body some time to heal after the surgery and to give the leads (wires) a chance to attach where they are supposed to. Then, after that, when you get your first interrogation appt, they will ask you a lot of questions, mostly how you feel....based on your answers, they will probably make adjustments to your settings.

The biggest mistake I made was thinking that I was going to have to live the rest of my life feeling like crap because this was just the way it was going to be after having a pacer. I couldn't be more wrong and now I could kick myself because I should have been more "demanding" and had them tinker with the settings more.

However, in the long run...it was this website that gave me the knowledge of exactly what questions to ask when I did have my interrogations.

So, you are really just in the intial stages of the healing process and even though your scar may look healed, you have a lot of healing going on inside of you. Be a bit more patient, but also be prepared with lots of questions when you get to your first appointment.

And just remember: if you are not feeling as good as you think you should - as my mother always said: get on the horn (phone) and let those doctors know how you feel because if you don't let them know they will assume you are okay.

I've also learned that the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Take care, and remember - we are all here to help and support you in any way that we can:)

Pookie

Hi Beach Boy

by Beach Boy - 2010-07-17 09:07:58

Your comments and insights were great, and very welcomed. Its wonderful to be able to hear from others
and share in their experiences and wisdom.

I will follow up on your advise regarding the squeaky wheel; and contact my cardiologist.

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me Too

by richan - 2010-07-17 10:07:48

Hi Beach Boy,
Pookie is on target. I did experience the dizzy and shortness of breath a little bit before getting my PM back in mid 2005. It took several visits over about a year to get mine tuned-up to meet my "requirements" - like Pookie I kept after them until the got me tuned as much as they could.
I had my second PM placed back in January 2010 - still after them for more tuning.
I have had more dizzy and "brown-outs" kinds of episodes and ended up in the hospital because I went beyond a brown-out and thought I was leaning against a brick wall waiting for the dark to go away. Anyhow, I apparently did a face plant on the brickwall and found myself on the side walk. That vaso-vegal syncope really is something else. So, I'm taking Midodrine to keep the bottom from falling out of my BP.
Since then, I have had only a few brown outs (no black outs). My doc is still working my my dosage. I am doing a lot better now. I have to hydrate a lot - both water and electrolytes. This hot weather isn't helping very much.
I am getting thru my swim workouts OK now.
Keep at it. These little gizmos are great to have - just need a bit of adjusting.

Peace,
Richan

Beach Boy

by ccallahan - 2010-07-18 03:07:03

I too had the same. My doctor had to boost my PM a little to get the right pace set. I had a low heart rate which was not pushing the blood well enough through my body. I have Autonomea/POTS. They were able to get me to quit hitting the ground when this happened but not the dizziness. They should be able to tweak you a little and get it adjusted right. It may take a few times and interrogations but they should be able to get you dialed in. It may take a little time.

Rev Chuck

Thank you

by Beach Boy - 2010-07-18 08:07:18

Hi Richan,

Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
I found both your comment and Pookie's to be of great help and comfort.

Having the support of others and adjusting to living with
a pm is invaluable.

Regards,

Beach Boy

Advise

by Beach Boy - 2010-07-18 09:07:23

Rev Chuck

Thanks very much for the encouraging words and insights.

Its great to recieve such wonderful support

Beach Boy

its me with the same old story

by Hot Heart - 2010-07-21 06:07:09

I must be soooooooooo boring by now because I say it over and over again, but, I felt awful post op, then one day they switched my rate response on and I became 15 again! lol

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

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