1 week post op and really distressed

Hello Everyone :) I really need need your help or suggestions.

I am 64 female and live in Australia. For the last year I have been feeling quite unwell and was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome bradycardia. I would feel great for weeks and then have a month or two month episode where I could not get out of bed as I felt dizzy, my heart rate would race, I could not eat as I felt dizzy and very cold after a meal. I lost a lot of weight because of this too.

I was admitted into hospital last week and my heart rate would go up and down from 35 to 80.

It was suggested that the solution would be to have a pm fitted. I had a biotronik implanted exactly one week ago.

My doctor said that I would be up and about within a few days but I feel very dizzy, breathlessness, my heart rate races (but not alarmingly), and sometimes I feel pressure around my head.

Lastly I feel sharp stabbing pains in my back opposite to where the pm is.This lasts only for moments.

I am in tears all the time as everyone keeps telling me I am fine and that I need to adjust to the pm. That everyone else is up and about playing tennis within a few weeks!

I am relying on my husband to hold me around so I can get to the bathroom, etc.

Can anyone relate to any of the above? How long should I wait to I start to be really worried that I will  not get better? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?

9 Comments

New to Pacemaker

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-05-19 06:37:49

Sometimes adjustments to the PM are needed.  I would get an appt to have the PM monitored.

Also there may be PM features that are not turned on that you may need.

Once adjustments are made and you start feeling better your confidence level will increase and anxiety decrease.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

DISTRESSED

by BOBJ - 2017-05-19 14:50:09

Which side is you pm on? Normal left side or right?

Also, it did take a little time for the head pressure to go away. This actually may be due to the better response of your heart.

It can take time and also they might need to make adjustments.

 

go back

by Tracey_E - 2017-05-19 15:11:38

What you are describing is not at all normal and you should be seen by your doctor. 

The pacemaker can only help the bradycardia (slow rate due to SSS). It doesn't do anything for racing. The heart can go as fast as it wants on its own and the pacer will just watch. Did they put you on meds for the racing after the pacemaker? Often they won't do them before pacing because they don't want to make the slow periods slower. If you are on new meds, it can take weeks, even months, to adapt. 

I'm no doctor and you shouldn't rely on google, but look up POTS. It's notoriously tricky to diagnose and treat, and many doctors aren't adept at dealing with it. It's worth a discussion with your doctor. 

9th day post op

by Voulio - 2017-05-21 02:05:43

Thank you all - I had a good 8th day where I thought I was turning a corner.

Today though I had two very big dizzy spells and then fine for the rest of the day.

I am defintely going to see the doctor again this week as I am most concerned with the dizzyness.

Has anyone else experienced this still after the surgery?

yes

by Tracey_E - 2017-05-21 10:29:20

I had dizzy spells after. They adjusted my settings and it went away. It can take a few tries to fine tune it so don't be shy about calling again if it's still not right after one. 

Go back to the doctor

by Gotrhythm - 2017-05-21 14:54:44

I'm reading "How to Survive Your Doctor's Care." She emphasizes that aftercare IS PART of surgery. Though everyone hopes you'll just go home and be fine, if you are having problems, the surgeon wants to know. And  they can't know if you don't tell them.

If you're so dizzy you need help walking to the bathroom, you need to be seen.

 

See a doctor

by Bostonbionic - 2017-05-21 16:23:38

Hi

Last year I had a pm implanted like you for bradycardia. I started getting dizzy spells after and episodes of fast heart beats. I had my auto checks turned off and my delay in pm changed to kick in at the last moment for my heart so my heart worked itself. However my spaced out feeling continued and would coenside with fast heart beats or missed ones. I had a vestibular problem labyrinthitis which can effect the vagus nerve that controls the heart rate. Leading to palpatations etc. I'm still getting over the vestibular problem although I'm better I realised it wasn't all the pm fault. If you are dizzy there must be something else going on. Consider anxiety can be make it worse. Try to control your breathing slow in for 5 counts and 3  out. As already stated by Tracy the pm won't increase heart rate. You might need medication to control your dizziness go and see your doctor. If your worried about your pm go and get it checked with a 24 hr monitor. 

Liz uk

2 weeks post op now

by Voulio - 2017-05-27 02:02:57

Hello Everyone!!

Two weeks now post op and thank you so much for your messages - this forum is such a life line.

In general I feel better. Still having dizzy spells but very brief. The most distressing part is that I went shopping today and had a very strong dizzy sensation..more like a black out. Everyone came to the rescue in the shop and as I was disorientated for 15 mintues. After that complelty okay.

I'm seeing the cardiologist on Tuesday and will insist on having an adjustment. He brushed me off last time but reading all the valuable feedback on the site, I see that it is vital that I push for adjustment.

I have been speaking with friends and family and so many people have gone through pm implant or know someone who has that I spoke to about my expeirence.

Some important points:

1) Adjustment is crucial

2) Important not to lie down as much as possible as the fluids in the ears do get effected and this can cause dizzyness

3) A great exercise is stand and look into the horizon for 10minutes a day. Work up to doing this 10 times a day

4) Feeling cold after eating is because the body is exhausted and blood/energy is rushing to the stomach to digest

All pain in my back has gone. My surgery incision is going great.

I would have been on cloud 9 if I didn't have the blackout sensation today. Any thoughts guys?

POTS

by sgw2 - 2017-06-19 00:32:43

Hello,

I just joined because it looks like a PM is in my near future. After reading through your messages i agree with TraceyE. Get checked for POTS and NMH(Nuerally mediated hypotension). I have both and a Tilt Table Test is what will be done to diagnose it. Best of luck!

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

I feel so blessed to have this little gem implanted in me. When I think of the alternative it is quite overwhelming sometimes.