Not sure if this is right

Hello everyone. Newby here. I am 35 years old and just had my pace maker put in on April 9. As all of you know this was a complete shock to me and my family. I only had one fainting spell but this was enough for my wife to make me go get checked out due to her being the one who found me on the floor in the bathroom. Anyway they were able to get me to have another episode on the tilt table and conclude that I had Sick Sinus Syndrome and Brady (low heart rate) with heart rate in the lower 40-50s. Anyway since I got my pacemaker only a week ago today, I have a few questions about the way I am feeling. I feel fine except for dizzy spells mainly when I am sitting. Also I am having some numbness in my right arm. These spells are not continuous. When I left the hospital they set the pacemaker to just 55. Could this be the problem? Anyway, I am kind of freaked out about this and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jessie

5 Comments

Hi Jessie

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2012-04-16 04:04:50

Have you called your doctor to let them know how you are feeling? Is your PM on the left or right side? I would definitely put in a phone call. May be nothing but worth having it looked into.
As far as your settings, you mentioned it was set for 55. I would think that is the lower threshold where the pacer will kick in if your HR falls below that rate. Did they say what your upper tracking rate is? Maybe 55 is too low for you?
Have you checked your BP when you are feeling dizzy, or on any meds that would cause your BP to lower?
Just a few thoughts from my pea brain that came to mind after reading your post. There's no reason to just live with the symptoms causing you to stress. Make a call :)

Lowered my meds

by Electrified - 2012-04-16 04:04:57

I have left bundle branch block, SSS, and brady. Got my PM one month ago (a Medtronic Consulta set at 60). Had very similar conditions after implant. Am on diuretic and found that after implant I had no water retention. I reasoned that the sick feeling and faint spells I experienced might be due to the diuretic leaching electrolytes. I reasoned that my heart was now more efficient and I might not need as much diuretic. So I cut my diuretic to every other day and supplemented my need for electrolyte balance with Emergen-C, an over the counter supplement. It worked. I’m doing fine now. Check with your doctor, you might have a similar problem.

dizziness & numbness in arm

by Pookie - 2012-04-18 03:04:21

I'm going to assume you had your pacemaker implanted on the right side since you are having some numbness in that arm. Please call your doctor or cardiologist, or whomever takes care of you now that you have a pacer. It could be as simple as a pinched nerve but it's best to get it checked.

Dizziness while sitting??? Hmmm. Usually a lot of us get the dizzy spells or lightheadedness when doing some type of activity.....with that being said, we are all different but the main thing is you really should not let this go and call and ask to be seen earlier rather than later. It too could be just a simple adjustment to a particular setting as we all walk out of hospital with default settings which are no good for the average person.

Are you on any new medications that might cause you to have dizziness? Are you keeping hydrated? Are you eating like you did prior to your surgery? Sometimes even stress or anxiety can cause us to become dizzy. Is your blood pressure low?

I guess the big question is this: were you dizzy before the pacemaker? If not, then it has to be the device.

Don't give up hope, you will find an answer if you "push" the doctors a bit. Don't accept the one liner they usually give which is: "Well it can't be the pacemaker because it is working just fine." Sure it's working!!!!!! but perhaps the settings have to be fine-tuned for YOUR particular needs.

Keep us posted.

Pookie

And one more thing.......

by Pookie - 2012-04-18 03:04:42

don't freak out. You will be just fine. I know it's a lot to handle mentally and it's all new to you, but give yourself some time to heal. Rest is key. Take it day by day and don't overdo it.

And remember: you have a HUGE support system now which is all of us:)

Take care,
Pookie

Doctor Visit

by jwayne - 2012-04-18 11:04:38

Thanks everyone. Went yesterday to get a check up to see how i am healing up. Anyway after telling them the problem I was having they went ahead and checked everything out. (Got on to me for not letting them know sooner) Said that I have been pacing about 20% of the time with it set at 55 bpm which tells me I really really needed this. Anyway they decided to increase to 60 bpm and I fell much better. Its amazing that only 5 bmp makes that much difference. Anyway i do not take any meds and the pacemaker is a St. Judes if that makes a difference.

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.