NCP
It has been quite some time since I have been on this site. I am so discouraged to know that there is nothing that can help. I have a metronic pacemaker and have so many heart rate drops (it drops 40-50 beats in a second) I have what I call them "my spells" every 4-5 weeks when these severe drops occur. I am extremely tired 2 days before and have mild drops (get sweaty and slightly lightheaded) . They severe "spells" start in the early morning (3-4 am) once they start they continue to occur every hour for an 18-24 hour period. During this time I feel like I am going to die- my BP also drops. I have been on all types of medications, increased my salt intake, drink plenty of water - even used those uncomfortable socks to help with the BP drops. My cardiologist said there is nothing more that can be done since it is a neurological disorder. I have searched the web for answers - no help. ANYONE SUFFER FROM THIS? - I NEED TO FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS THIS CONDITION. SO DISCOURAGED KATHY22
9 Comments
Medtronic pacemakers
by sherida - 2010-03-13 06:03:12
In order to prevent ratedrops, the so called 'flywheel' function can be activated in Medtronic pacemakers. When your heartrate drops suddenly, the pacemaker won't allow that and will gradually decrease pacing rate instead of dropping your frequency from (let's say) 120bpm to 60 ppm. Make sure the 'flywheel' is activated! Ask your technician about that.
I have this problem
by bowlrbob - 2010-03-13 07:03:38
I have the same thing I have about 1000 episodes during a 6 month period. I have a Medtronic EnPulse Dr. Implanted in 2005. My EP turned on the rate drop response.
When my HR drops the pm kicks my HR up to 100 bpm for 2 minutes. Then it slowly goes back to its normal setting. This has worked perfectly for me for 4 years now. I don't even know when it happens anymore. Ask you EP or Dr. about this feature. It is awesome. Bowlrbob
drops
by Tracey_E - 2010-03-13 09:03:52
I've never had the bp drops, but I had hr drops like you described. They were able to program my pm so it couldn't drop off so quickly, it's called rate drop response. I don't know if all pm's have it but it's worth asking if yours does.
If it's neurological, have you tried a neurologist?
Good luck!!
2 comments....
by Pookie - 2010-03-13 10:03:36
first hello.
1) my cardiologist and Pacemaker Tech both told me I do not have the Rate Drop Response on my pacemaker and I have a Medtronic Enpulse. I'll ask again the next time I have an interrogation because each time I get a different tech and/or an EP and/or Cardiologist.
2) I have Neurocardiogenic Syncope...and I don't know if that is what you may have or are referring to. I also have Autonomic Neuropathy which was discovered by a Neurologist at the Mayo clinic .... my autonomic problem is unfixable...I have to live with low blood pressure that plummets for no reason, a flat heart rate, and my body does not sweat over 25% of it's surface which is totally abnormal. I also get very lightheaded on a daily basis. I'm also extremely tired all of the time. The list is endless and very frustrating.
So...perhaps you should see a Neurologist if you haven't already done so. Have you ever had the tilt table test and the sweat test done? If not, ask for it.
I can get all the proper names of the tests I had if you want...just send me a private message.
I certainly understand what you are going thru.
Pookie
NCS
by kathy22 - 2010-03-14 10:03:37
I have responded to all of you coments twice this morning and and enter the correct code shown and I get a message that the code is incorrect. I will try again later. Just going to use this code to see if this goes through Kathy22
NCS
by kathy22 - 2010-03-14 11:03:13
It went through - Will try again I have a Medtronic Adapta DR pacemaker and the 'episodes last between 1-2 minutes. I come close to fainting and the pacemaker kicks inand bring the rate to 100bpm the goes back to the normal rate.' I have never heard of a "flywheel" function and not sure if I have that feature but will certainly call about it tomorrow. I am going to do some research on the Medtronic EnPulse to see if there are features that mine does not have - I am going to ask my cardiologist -
What test is given to diagnose Autonomic Neuropathy? I often thought about going to the Mayo Clinic but my dr assures me that there is nothing more that can be done and I just have to live with it - At least I am not working anymore so I can rest when I have the spells. Thanks to all of you for your comments. Hope this goes through - I think since my other posts addressed all of you individually- it may be the reason it diddn't go through Kathy22
Adapta DR
by sherida - 2010-03-15 08:03:46
Dear Kathy22
About your episodes and near fainting: I read you have an Adapta DR pacemaker. It might be in AAIR+ modus, that alows to 'miss' a heartbeat twice but not consecutive, in order to decrease ventricilar pacing. Most of the people with sinusnode dysfunction and normal AV conduction are doing very well with these settings. When frequent AV-block occurs, this AAIR+ modus might cause 'near fainting experiences', because it is a beat to beat switch. So in AV-block modus should be programmed DDD(R) instead of AAIR+.
So far for the pacemaker.....
all the best!
Sherida
I know
by whrlgrl2 - 2010-05-20 12:05:35
Dear Kathy,
Can I just say that i completley understand what you are going through. I have the same symptoms or i use to before they put in the pacemaker. Its called vasovagal syncope. Not sure why you pacemaker isnt stopping it, but have you thought about the fact that you said it all happens in the same time period after the same amount of weeks between each episode. It may have something to do with your menstraul cycle. I use to get the same way. However the rate drops can be fix easily if you have an adapta dr pace maker. Just have your cardio guy go in and adjust the settings. You should have a high heart rate and a low heart rate setting this being raised for the low should help control the spells better. The way it works is if its set higher then where you drop when you pass out it will stop it before you get to that point. Also if he isnt willing to fix this problem you may want to find a new doctor! I hope this will help God knows when i got my pacemaker put in i was doing the same things you explained but almost everyday, i didn't ever have a break in the episodes, and two hours after inplantation i felt like a different person. So good luck and if you need some one who understands let me know. Cause i do!
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Heart Rate & BP Drop
by SMITTY - 2010-03-13 03:03:47
Hello Kathy22,
I want to ask a question. When your heart rate drops 40 to 50 beats how long does it stay at the low rate? If the pacemaker can not bring it back up in a few seconds then I have to say your PM needs to be looked at. And by a different doctor.
You say you have a Medtronic pacemaker. How long have you had it and do you know what model you have?
If your heart rate does stay at the low rate very long I think I can see why your BP will drop. To me it is because of the very low blood from your heart. I'm no Dr, but if I had a pump that was pumping a fluid at a constant rate and pressure and the speed of that pump suddenly dropped a significant amount then there could be corresponding drop in flow rate and pressure. So to me if the heart rate drops it could result in a BP drop for some amount of time.
Good luck,
Smitty