Severe pain in arm at PM side...

So the doctor explained a few things today. Not sure it was exactly what I wanted to hear. I just started off with this few seconds in the day where I would gasp for air as if knocked out of me, then the dizzyness, sweating occurs. Then my arm started to swell up and turn pale with pins and needles. I got such a fright. Was sure it is another heart attack. Got bloodworks and sonar.. Turned out to be vasoconstriction. I am still not sure about the gasping for air episode. The PM seems to be just fine, but then the veins are irritated by it. The dr says it's severe pure autonomic failure. Anyone have this. The PM is my second device and I have to go for the third. Thank God for Medtronic. If not for them I'd be six feet under. At the rate they plant devices in me I'll be strapping my cellphone to my ankles to avoid interferences... :)

2 Comments

hmm....

by Pookie - 2010-12-12 08:12:58

could it be when this happens to you, that you start to panic a bit - hence the gasp for air???? but you did say that the gasping starts first.

could it be you are experiencing some anxiety and these events could be a panic attack.

I'm grasping at straws.

If it continues...I'd be asking for a Holter Monitor to see what your heart is doing during these episodes, then I'd be asked to be seen by a Neurologist.

take care,
Pookie

might be just that...

by Mindover - 2010-12-13 02:12:17

I think I might have panicked a little ;) I guess I was hoping for better news as to what the doctor told me. I've lost the use to my adrenal glands, pancreas, bowel and bladder. And when my heart started bugging I was convinced that it was a panic attack at first. So after my heart stopped beating last month and I woke up with a pacemaker, I knew it was something more than just that. Funny how doctors will wait until the end to tell you what is wrong, and they can't do anything about it. He gave me a paper for organ donation, I never knew that a pacemaker can be donated along with the other organs. The neurologist explained that the anatomy of my heart is perfect, it is just not getting the message from the autonomic nervous system to work. And apparently so with all the other organs. I'm not even sure if my body would recognize a panic attack as I don't have the nerve for it. haha... my arm seems better, thank goodness, vasoconstriction seems to be part of the nerve's job. The dr seems a bit in a panic with this gasping thing. Say the diaphram might be getting affected. At least there is a device to stimulate this too. I just wish I knew someone with this condition.

You know you're wired when...

You have a shocking personality.

Member Quotes

I'm 44, active and have had my device for two years. I love it as I can run again and enjoy working out without feeling like I'm an old man.