Breathless--tired

PM inserted Aug 2010. For past 2 months have experienced periodic breathless--with minor/no exertion. Am also experiencing tiredness. Cardiologist thinks that pm "ramping" settings may need to be adjusted. What are ramping settings? Any other thoughts to share with Medtronic rep during visit next month?
Thanks.

4 Comments

Meds?

by JAE3 - 2011-03-03 10:03:21

Hi - are you on any medications? I had the same problem when I was put on Sotolol. Dr. changed me back to Digixon and it was a 100% improvement in my tiredness and out-of-breath times.

Thanks

by bigmike777 - 2011-03-04 10:03:14

I appreciate the comments and provide the following info: I'm on "loads" of meds for diabetes type 11, hypertension, cholesterol, and hypothyroidism. Stopped smoking in 1989.

Diagnosed with sleep apnea about a year ago and now were cpap mask each night.
I will have stress/echocardiagarm test on 3/17.
For Pookie--hope your search for answers goes well. "keep on keeping on" is a good rule for all of us to follow.

2 things come to mind

by Pookie - 2011-03-04 12:03:33

well actually 3:

1) meds (as mentioned above)

2) sleep apnea as I've read & was told by my EP that 60% of pacemaker patients MAY develop sleep apnea over time

I had the home sleep apnea test done (I wore a contraption on my head & face for approximately 8 hrs while I slept) and the results were that my oxygen saturation is going down to 87.5% at night - I saw a Specialist just today and he is going to get me the "real" overnight Sleep Apnea Test done IN the hospital, (which is usually a 2 yr waiting list) but he marked it as "urgent"...so I'm kind of nervous - he also mentioned that some meds will make your oxygen saturation decline, especially narcotics, which I am on for another medical issue.

3) something may not be set correctly in your settings, probably in the Rate Response

One other thought --- how's your blood pressure?

Oh, another thought -- ask for a Pulmonary Stress Test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh, one more - ask for a Pulmonary Function Test.

And last but not least - if you smoke, that could be the culprit.

That was way more than 2 ....LOL

I know how you feel, I am profoundly exhausted all of the time and with ANY activity (even sweeping the floor) I get so lightheaded and dizzy and short of breath that I could just scream!!!!!!!! Everything I do is such a battle, but I keep on keeping on:)

But I know now that at least I am on the right road of getting a solution as I have had all of the tests that I've mentioned above.

Good luck,
Pookie

Another Advice

by belljason92 - 2011-03-14 06:03:50

It is best to get yourself checked at a good cardiovascular center. They are able to consider all the factors affecting the body, together. I would recommend the Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to be the best. They are very well equipped and run all the required tests within their cardiovascular center.

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