Does anyone feel a shortness of breathe

I had my PM installed 2 wks ago after heart failure. I have been feeling light headed and dizzy so they realigned the settings. Now I feel a shortness of breathe. Has anyone else had this sensation? I think I was better off with the original settings. Is it common to go back often until it is set up properly?

6 Comments

:PM Settings Need Changing

by SMITTY - 2011-07-18 05:07:51


Hello Ann,

Some people get a pacemaker and the initial settings are perfect. For some of us it takes several tries. So to answer your question "Is it common to go back often until it is set up properly?" yes and if you have a Dr that will listen you are fortunate. Many of us have Drs that after a follow-up visit or two start telling there is nothing wrong our PM even though we know it is not true.

So keep going back until you get what you were promised and if that means putting the Drs telephone on speed dial, do that.

Good luck,

Smitty

Ann

by walkerd - 2011-07-19 07:07:19

Mine was adjusted 4times before I didnt have excessive dizzyness and light headness or brain fog like I like to call it and shortness of breath. Depending on your condition you may have some of the above anyways but shouldnt be to the degree where you cant or dont want to do anything. Tell your doc.

Dave

normal

by Tracey_E - 2011-07-19 08:07:52

It's perfectly normal to take a few tries (or more!) to get the settings right for you. If you don't feel good, call and ask to be seen sooner than your next scheduled appointment. They make the changes in small increments so if one doesn't work, it's easy to backtrack and try something else.

shortness of breath

by Pookie - 2011-07-21 03:07:21

I too went through shortness of breath for a very long time and felt as though I had NO energy.

This is what finally helped me: The PM Tech and my EP decided to turn OFF my Optimization (which is part of the Rate Response) on my Medtronic Enpulse.

It worked for me:)

Pookie

And yes......

by Pookie - 2011-07-21 03:07:26

sometimes it can take numerous appointments until they finally get your settings adjusted to fit YOUR needs.

and sometimes they just have to throw away the book and try different things (settings) because we are all different and what works for one may not work for another.

the thing to remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease and NEVER give up hope (or pestering them).

Take care,
Pookie

Shortness of breath

by jazz1502 - 2011-07-21 03:07:32

I've only had my ICD for 7 weeks but have been experiencing shortness of breath and PVCs which feel like thumps when the heart adds a beat to synchronize the 2 chambers. I've been back to the CT several times and since my doctor wasn't available to answer my questions I went to see another EP and CT. Some doctors are too aloof to provide patients with answers so sometimes it's necessary to "dump" them and find someone else. The adjustments will eventually help with shortness of breath. I understand it can take several months until the EF increases and the heart rate improves.

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