lightheaded

Hi everyone.  This is my 1st posting.  I had a PM installed 5 days ago and went to my cardiologist today for a check up. Everything was fine and we spoke about getting everything adjusted in a few weeks. After I left I went to the grocery store with my daughter and when in the frozen food aisle I felt a little tingle in my chest and a little lightheaded. I leaned a little on the shopping cart.  My daughter said my face went to bright red and then pale and then pink.  I felt really weird so went outside, where I think I got a little panic attack. I calmed down and called the Dr. and he said that if it happened again to call him. He was a little concerned, bbut not enough to send me to the ER.  After that I felt better and was wondering if any one has had this happen to them. He did mention that when they fine tune it it could get better.  I have SSS and they put in a Medtronics adddr01 with the rate response turned on. Feel like more energy since put in 5 days ago and sleep well. Just worried about the lightheaded feeling. Thanks

4 Comments

Unfamiliar feelings

by ElectricFrank - 2011-02-01 01:02:33

Welcome to the forum. Be sure to check in often.

One common experience with a new pacer is to feel new sensations. In your case with the rate response turned ON and not yet adjusted to your body, just a quick movement can cause your HR to go up. It's a strange experience the anxiety that results can cause that light headed feeling.

One of the best ways to deal with it is to take a few deep slow breaths, which can break the anxiety. If you continue to feel light headed though, then a trip to the docs or ER is the prudent thing to do.

best,

frank

Im with Frank

by walkerd - 2011-02-01 06:02:32

I can tell you I had to have mine adusted 3 or 4 times before it was right or as good as could be expected. My advice is to write down what you were doing when the lightheadnesses happens or anything else like short of breath anything thats abnormal, its easier when you go to the Docs to remember when its wrote down. I know when I would go with questions for the Doctor I remembered on my way home, but hey Im always in a brain fog lol. Try to stay calm I know thats easier said than done sometimes when your scared of a feeling your getting that youve never had before, call the office of your doctor and tell them what is going on to put your mind at ease, and dont feel like your being a pain in thier arses your not if I worried about that when I had mine put in I would have been a nervous wreck, they are there for you and you pay them and nothing is to little to call and get an answer when it affects your heart. Just my two cents worth. Good luck.

dave

Strange feelings

by donr - 2011-02-01 07:02:06

Don’t be alarmed, but be curious. You’re gonna have them as you & your new friend learn to live together.

I started out w/ SSS & had a PM planted. I have evolved into a myriad of other problems, all of which have been taken care of - all of which involved different "Funny" feelings. You need to find someone at your cardio’s practice that you can call w/ questions immediately after they occur. That will relieve the anxiety of their occurrence.

There are many settings in your PM that can be adjusted to help you. Sometimes I swear that the initial settings they give you are determined in a pub at the dartboard after a round of ale!

One setting is called ADL - Activities of Daily Living. It is a delay for the PM after it senses a sudden increase in heart rate. Keeps it from speeding itself up because of temporary increases in the rate of your sinus node. Let me give you a for instance based on my experience about two weeks after I had mine placed.

Wife & I were at the tailgate of our pickup, loading laundry. She dropped a can of soda on the ground & it started rolling away downhill. I took off running to get it. About passed out after six or seven strides. Called Cardio’s head nurse, went in to see her & she checked out the PM. Nothing wrong w/ either me or the PM. Explained the ADL to me & shortened it up (w/ boss’ approval, of course).

Significance? You can now run a marathon, but you cannot run the 100 meter dash!  At least not without funny feelings.

That being said - when you have funny feelings/ incidents, call & ask ASAP; but learn to NOT get excited or anxious. Also - ignore that elephant sitting in the corner.

Good Luck.

Don

Thanks

by sallybags@email.com - 2011-02-01 08:02:48

Thanks for the input. really glad I found this site. Sitting at home reading a lot of the comments on the site. Will be going back on Thursday to see cardiologist that implanted my friend,and have my journal with me. Health and happiness to all.

You know you're wired when...

The dog’s invisible fence prevents you from leaving the backyard.

Member Quotes

I am very lucky to have my device.