4 days post dual procedure

Hi all-- Considering I had back-to-back days of sedation and incisions to reattach the strayed lead from the first day, I'm feeling pretty good, "lucky" it happened while still in the hospital. I know I'll be seeing the nurse for the first post-op check in a few days, so have been preparing questions. The only thing I'm wondering about at the moment is this harder pounding heartbeat I have intermittently throughout the day, just gets distracting and annoying, sometimes with a bit of tightness/aching feeling. Beats sometimes jump up to over 110 for no physical activity... I'm guessing that's all part of the adjustment processes, just wondering if there is anything in particular I should research or ask about in this regard before the appointment?  Thanks much!


3 Comments

Post surgery

by Bela - 2017-05-09 23:10:55

Had the same pounding heart rhythm very scary.  However with tweaking of the PM that has subsided.

good luck

 

 

 

 

pounding

by dwelch - 2017-05-09 23:38:24

Probably just adjustment period, is this your first pacer?  You will need to get used to a newer/smoother heart anyway.   Ask here as well as certainly ask the doc/nurse, bring your list in, ask for your copy of the printout, look at it and ask questions.  If they dont want to answer them find a new doc...

 

I am on number five, about two weeks ago, actually right at two weeks ago...was some new/strange pounding the first day or two, subsided, my settings are the same as before and i have had one for 30 years so the new stuff was a long time ago.  

 

It settles in, the leads form scar tissue, that affects the resistance of the lead but that settles down, and the pacers are so much more adjustable and in some cases automatically adjust, so they will get that dialed in the first few months to year, much of it they can do with the EKG, but some of it you may need to provide feedback.

Post surgery

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-05-10 07:15:07

Glad to hear the lead placement is taken care of.  Nothing worse than a dangling lead ( like a dangling participle, lol)

Do bring your list of questions to your follow up appt. and talk about the pounding feeling.

PMs today have many adjustments and optional features. As an example, after 1 year I began passing out again,  It was due to a fast drop in my heart rate after bending over. I needed Rate Drop Response feature to be turned on.  This prevents the rapid drops in heart rate. Because I knew about the feature from reading the online PM manuals I saw this as an improvement instead of a problem (no mental stress).  With this adjustment I am back to normal activities.

Having a PM allows a normal lifestyle but the PM may need a few adjustments to get you there. The good news is that as our body changes the PM can be adjusted.

Looking forward to reading that you feel better.

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.