feeling my pacer a lot

Hey everyone, I'm fairly new here, have had my pacer just over two weeks. I feel it a lot more than I thought I would. Sometimes a little shock type feeling, sometimes my heart feels like its beating up in my throat for a beat or two, like when you're really nervous or scared. It's very strange to be so aware of my heart, and it can be kind of uncomfortable. So I have two questions:
Is this a normal sensation? And is it something you get used to?

It's a fairly disconcerting feeling, but I'm also probably thinking about it all the time right now which can't possibly help.

I would appreciate some imput!


Thanks,
Katie

6 Comments

May be

by Zia - 2012-04-01 06:04:52

It sounds a little like the phenomenon where something you never thought about suddenly becomes the center of attention, like when I bought a green car every other car I saw was green. On the other hand, if it's bothersome to you, a call to your care provider might be reassuring just now.

Best of luck with your new best friend.

Not normal

by Rodlyn - 2012-04-01 07:04:20

I have had my Pacer for 17 years now. Was 37 y/o at initial implant. It is not normal to feel it pacing and you can have your EP MD turn down the sensitivity. I am on my third Pacer now and always have to go in for fine tuning at first. My Pacer tech gets annoyed sometimes but I don't care, she doesn't have to live with it. I understand how you feel. I can't stand feeling it pace. I TOTALLY disagree with the comment above. It is not 'IN YOUR HEAD' because you are focusing on it. You feel it because it is uncomfortable!!!

Remember, you are the only one who knows what you feel. Be persistant and good luck!!!

New Pacemaker & Problems

by SMITTY - 2012-04-01 08:04:48


Hi Katie,

To answer your question "Is this a normal sensation?" the answer is absolutely no. Your PM's job is to replace heart beats your heart's natural PM is not causing or to speed up your rate and it should do that as silently and unfelt as the heart's natural PM does. The only time you should ever feel your PM is when you run hand across the implant site.

Now or you the catch is you have had your PM only two weeks. When you got the PM it came with some of the settings programmed into at the factory. Your dr, using his best guesses and what he knew about your needs changed some of them. It is not uncommon for some those settings to require more changes. So contact your dr and tell him what is going on and if he is a conscientious dr he will have you come for a checkup and make changes in the settings. Even then things make not be perfect and it will take more than one attempt to get it right. Two to three trys at the beginning is not uncommon.

Just remember, that PM should get your attention no more than your heart's natural PM and if it doesn't call the dr. You might even consider taking a copy of what you have told us to the dr so that you don't to talking to him and decide to leave out something because you decide it not all that important. In fact if necessary (which is rare) put the Drs number on your speed dial. You have to remember the dr will have no way of knowing things are not perfect unless you tell him.

Good luck to you,

Smitty

New Pacer

by Cheryl B - 2012-04-01 09:04:37

Hi Katie:
Welcome to the wonderful world of pacemakers, ICDs, and whatever else anyone talks about here.
As far as the above posts, I agree with all of them. You're focused on this bump in your chest, and what if it stops, and you also should be talking to doctor to have settings adjusted, and it might take a couple of attempts to get it "right," but don't give up. I had to stay in the hospital a couple days after I first got my ICD, and at one of the setting appointments, I had two doctors -- yes, I said two -- trying to get my settings just right. It seemed like when I laid on my left side that I could feel my heart beating, but not on my right. So they tried and tried, but couldn't get it to go away completely. But the next day a tech doing another "check" of my buddy turned something down, and that took it away somewhat. I can still feel it, but not so much that I can't live with it. As far as feeling your heartbeat in your throat, I get that, too, once in a while. Usually it's when I've been really moving faster than normal or sometimes just for no reason. I told my doctors -- all 3 of them -- and they were not concerned because all my tests were good. I was worried about Afib, but they reassured me I was ok. So now when it happens I just keep moving and try to ignore it. I hope we've helped you. Remember, don't be afraid to ask, ask, ask your docs and your techs and nurses any question you want. Don't think it's silly because it's not. I usually start writing my questions out about a few weeks or so before I go in for an appointment so I won't forget something.
Just so you know, I've received more help from this site than anywhere else, so don't be afraid to ask us, too.

Cheryl B.

Once

by Peg541 - 2012-04-01 11:04:09

Recently I had episodes of irregular ventricular beats that gathered up in my throat. I went in and they saw that the two leads were firing at the same time. One little change and it was gone. Easy peasy.
Mine is only 2 months old and I assume a learning curve is in order. Feels great though.

Life with a Pacemaker

by bjbumblebee - 2012-04-02 12:04:02

I have had a pacemaker for over 30 years and have experienced so many different sensations and symptoms. I am so intune to my body that I know almost immediately when something is wrong. I have had the beats felt in my throat, most of the time it has been PVCs and rarely anything significant. However, you should always have it checked. Over time you will get use to the different sensations and will know when to see you doctor and when to take a deep breath and relax. I find that I have developed generalized anxiety over the years because of all the sensations and worrying that something is wrong. I know approximately my heart rate at any given time without even taking my pulse I am so aware of my body. Welcome to the life with a pacemaker. I just had 3 leads extracted and 2 new leads and a new generator implanted 3 weeks ago and had a great recovery and feeling great.

Bonnie

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