New Guy

So I just got a new Sorin Reply pacemaker 2 weeks ago for HR dipping in the 20's during sleep and some 7 second pauses. It all started when I started really "getting in shape". Exercise will kill ya.

For the most part, I feel pretty good. A whole lot better in the morning. Big difference between 20 BPM and 50. Haven't totally coped though. I feel like I'm too young for this. I know some people have them younger. Most people have them when they're older. But I felt like I wanted to rip it out of my chest a few times.

I got the okay to start running again and so I did. Ran a measly 5K and HR was ticking around 130 an hour or so after race was done. Could barely climb the stairs without getting out of breath. I feel like I've started down a slippery slope. Maybe I should quit running and get fat again? Maybe I need to be on a sedative? Trying not to be "that guy".

Peace.

7 Comments

Exercise

by ElectricFrank - 2010-11-08 11:11:07

You have it figured out. Change your life style to no exercise and watch TV with a beer. You'll be in top shape in no time. LOL.

best,

frank

Slow up...

by Creaky - 2010-11-08 11:11:44

Just slow up and give it time. Dial back on the distance for a few weeks. If you can't function or feel really bad you may want to call your doc and get checked out sooner than the usual 6 weeks.
I found that when I pushed 130 too soon I felt weird and had irregular beats.
You will likely need adjustments at your 6 week. Check out all the recent postings. There are quite few addressing this.
Harry

Yeah, just take it slower

by Meema417 - 2010-11-09 02:11:09

Hi new guy, You're amazing to want to run a 5K within 2 weeks of being implanted! I too think you might be "pushing it" as in too much, too soon. I understand that you don't want to sit around--me neither. Why not try some walks first, before you get back into running? Start out nice and slow, oxygenate yourself as you go and then you can pick up the pace as you tolerate it. I'm on my second adjustment of settings, and after 6 months of my pacemaker keeping my HR down; I feel that we're finally getting it right! I just hated to keep calling my doctor about breathless and chest pressure. I don't want to feel neurotic, but now I'm glad I kept at it. I'm usually one to just shut up and deal with whatever it is that's going on. Now, when I go out for a walk, I initially feel the chest pressure and a little breathlessness, but I'm almost convinced it's a fear of it happening; because it goes away after I walk for awhile. Hang in there & it will come!

patience

by Tracey_E - 2010-11-09 07:11:45

You are not headed down a slipper slope, you've hit the bottom and started your way back up again. Two weeks is not a lot of time! Give it a few more weeks before you start pushing it. You're fortunate that you are young and otherwise healthy, it means you will bounce back that much faster but we can't get back to everything we want over night. It's a minor surgery, but it's still a trauma and takes some time for our bodies to heal.

When you go for your next check, ask about your upper limit. Sometimes they don't set it high enough for someone young and active and it needs to be adjusted, that could also cause you to feel that way but many drs don't like to adjust it until after we've healed so they start us off too low on purpose.

But really, I think you're just doing too much too fast. I say that as someone who always pushes the envelope and overdoes it, sitting still is not my forte so I totally understand your frustration. btw, I'm on my 4th pm now, got my first one at 27. I'm 44 now, healthy and active. Have a beer and watch some tv with me and Frank for a bit. You'll get back to where you were before, probably with more energy than ever.

Now I'm Soarin'

by zedajaweeya - 2010-11-09 11:11:16

I'm beside myself. You guys are great. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I think someone said once, "Encouragement is just letting off a little esteem" Could have that wrong but it sounds good. I think you're all correct and I probably need to just take it nice and easy. By the way. . .there's a cold Sam Adams next to me.

Curtis. . .good luck tomorrow. I think the Dr's will want to do an ablation on me next. I don't know if that's what you're having but I'm eager to hear all about it. I would want to do it too after getting the bill for my PPM and I was the Doc. 30 Gees? Geez!

It might sound silly but, don't forget to breathe.

Thanks again. Seriously. From the bottom of my artificially stimulated heart.

same as

by curtislea - 2010-11-09 11:11:28

Hi i had my first pm fitted when i was 32 and the second when i was 33 i am now 35 and tomorrow i go for another heart op for SVT i totally understand where you are coming from as i didnt totally understand why it had happened to me at such a young age, I do believe they should offer some form of counselling and lots of advice as i didnt know what i should be doing and when and reading all the stuff on the internet just confuses things, As this site proves it does pay to take the advice from others in the same situation, Its been 3 years since my first op and even now i have down days about it but thats just me feeling sorry for myself , Take every day as it comes and take them slowly you will get through it and realize that you now have a better quality of life, keep smiling

Creaky's comment..

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-11-09 12:11:45

I agree, try not to get frustrated just what Creaky said, cut back for a few weeks until you can get your settings adjusted. I also had the same issue, as soon as I reached 130, the PM would push my rate down to 70 during a Cardio workout and I would feel awful! As Creaky said their are a lot of postings regarding settings. ElectricFrank and others helped me understand settings and as I became more informed I was able to work with my PM rep to get to the right settings.

EF, funny response!

Welcome to the group,
Heidi

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