dizzy and palpitations

Hi there.
I had a new pacemaker box put in on the 23/2/2011 and I have had some dizzy spells and palpitations. I returned to the clinic for a pacemaker check and they couldnt find anything wrong. Has anyone else had these symptoms after a box change?

9 Comments

Dizzy and Palpitations

by SMITTY - 2011-03-20 01:03:33

Hi Shelee,

"They couldn't find anything wrong." I see that statement more often here than any other when people have a PM and are having a problem, but can get nothing done about it. I heard it so many times during the first several years I had a PM and I thought I was the only one hearing it until I found this site. I had decided that "there is nothing wrong with your PM, or your PM is working fine was a new medical term for "beats hell out of me and good luck to you."

Now I'll quit being snotty and make a comment or two about your situation. I have no idea on the dizzy spells. Did you have them before you got our PM? On that you and I know something is wrong and your Dr is probably the only one that can help you. They could possibly be associated with the palpitations, but again that is one for the Dr.

I do have a GUESS as to why you may be having palpitations. It has been my experience during the 29 years since my heart disease was diagnosed, and from what I have seen many others say here, that anytime we have any procedure that involves the heart, palpitations, PVCs or skip beats are likely to follow. I have had bypass surgery, gotten 4 stents and 2 pacemakers over the years and I don't think there has been a single time when an irregular heart beat did not follow. It has usually started several days after the procedure and has lasted from a few weeks to a few months. I have had various medications prescribed and so far as I can recall I got no relief from them. The palpitations would get less and less frequent and one day I would realize I was very seldom having one.

So, I know you are not alone with your palpitations and I also know I have no suggestions for getting rid of them. Your dizzy spell are another story. Unless these cease very soon you should be pounding on your Dr door until you get relief from them. That or get you a different Dr as they can be dangerous for you.

I wish you the best,

Smitty

Suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2011-03-20 07:03:16

Ask the clinic if your replacement pacer is programmed to the same settings as the old one. If it was working well other than battery depletion their is no reason not to use the same settings.

The pacemakers come from the factory with default settings that are intended to be safe, but not optimum for everyone. If these are left in place in the replacement you may not feel well.

I made it clear on my replacement that I wanted the settings carried over into the new one and was assured that they would be. However, I quickly found that the upper limit had been lowered from 150 to 130 by the programming computer based on my age. I was limited in my exercise level until I called their attention to it. After setting it to 150 all was well again.

I'm not saying you problem is the upper limit. It could be any of a number of settings. There is no reason why a replacement pacer without lead change should cause the problems you describe.

good luck,

frank

Dizzy

by drashmore - 2011-03-20 07:03:47

Do they have you on any meds? They've tried an Ace inhibitor and a beta blocker on me and both of them made me dizzy. But I also have dizzy apells as a results of an inner ear problem. This only occurs when I go from laying flat to sitting up. I had this probelm before my PM.

Debbie

Dizzy

by shelee - 2011-03-21 05:03:07

Hi Frank,
they did say that the PM had been set on the previous settings. They did tweak it when I went back to the clinic and set something on auto, but it has happened twice since. I cannot understand why it is not happening all the time. I can go 3 days in between episodes.
Shelee

Another question

by ElectricFrank - 2011-03-22 01:03:21

Are you having dizzy spells as in having the room spin or is it light headed like things getting sparkly or near passing out?

Like Debbie mentioned you can have an inner ear problem that makes you dizzy, and the anxiety triggers palpitations. It can come and go.

I've found that drinking plenty of water pretty much cures my vertigo (dizziness).

Just another thought.

frank

vertigo

by shelee - 2011-03-22 05:03:46

I am lightheaded, the room doesn't spin. The last 3 attacks have been when I am laying down in the night. I have just made another appointment at the pacemaker clinic.

Shelee

Dizzy here as well

by KIRWEN1004 - 2011-03-22 09:03:59

I am dealing with dizzy spells (more lightheaded than anything else) as well. The first day it happened I thought it may be allergy related as I have always gotten dizzy early in the allergy season.

But it went away for three days and it started up again. I felt fine and then out of no where I feel dizzy/lightheaded for a while. My pulse rate is normal and steady.

Friday it will be a month since I got my PM.

Last night I could not sleep because I felt claustrophobic so I am exhausted.

I'm hoping I can make it until Monday when I have my follow up appointment with my doctor.

Good Luck. Hope they can figure something out for you.

Kirs

Kirs

by shelee - 2011-03-25 06:03:41

Hi,
I went for yet another PM check yesterday, and they still say that there is nothing wrong with the settings. I asked them if I need to see cardiologist as I have also had a mitral valve replacement. They said that this was not indicated and to see my GP to try and determine if there is any other cause. I have had a valve check recently and that was fine.
My friend asked me 'do you think it could be panic attacks' and has now got me thinking, even though I do not feel stressed at all.

still dizzy

by shelee - 2011-03-30 04:03:32

Hi,
still having dizzy spells mainly during the night. ended up in A&E this week because for the first time I felt like I was just going to pass out. Pulse was racing but dont know if that was anxiety. Got to A&E and hey presto it had all resolved. In there 5 hrs to be told you need to see your cardiologist. Easier said than done. Been all round the houses and then finally got an appointment on Tuesday next week.Lets hope they can shed some light because it is interfering with work now ,and appears to be happening more frequently.
Fed up
Shelee

You know you're wired when...

You are always wired and full of energy.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.