Feeling Yuck!

In two days, it will be my seventh anniversary with my little friend. The relationship has been pretty good until the last month. For a while now, I had been experiencing shortness of breath and brief (a few seconds) episodes of severe general weakness. My heartbeat was all over the place. In late March, my cardiologist put me on Atenolol, figuring that it would take care of the tachycardia while my pacemaker would handle the bradycardia.

That didn't work out so well. In the past, I could swim 1,500 metres without a problem. With the medication, I couldn't do 100 without stopping. On top of that, it did not seem to solve my problem as my symptoms continued. I got my cardiologist to take me off Atenolol. He told me to call him back in a couple of weeks.

My energy has come back - doing well in the pool, but the underlying problem is not resolved. I feel like an old man (and I am only 65 years old and usually in good shape). I can't walk at a normal pace without getting out of breath and I keep feeling that I will wind up kissing the floor. This is now frequent, pretty much a daily occurence. Sitting, or horizontal (like in the pool), I am fine. When I am standing or walking, that's another question.

I am scheduled for the routine pacemaker clinic next week. I am curious as to what the event recorder will show. In the meantime, this is beginning to concern me somewhat. Any thoughts?


2 Comments

Medication

by gleesue - 2017-05-24 16:23:04

Many of the drugs used to fight arrythmias have a lot of side affects and some can really slow you down. My EP recommended an old drug called Flecainide. Sure it has potential side affects, but it doesn't slow you down like many of the others. I work our 5-6 days a week, love long distance kayaking. I hike, play golf, tennis, coach soccer etc. Most people can't believe I'm 70.

If you need a medication ask about Flecainide. This is a good drug for active people. I don't know why I don't see more people using it.  Also, you might try taking Magnesium. I take 250mg a day.

Jerry

Pacemaker adjustments

by bhdavis - 2017-05-25 08:37:36

Your cardiologist may be able to adjust the maximum rate your pacemaker will push your heart to on the high end during exercise.  There is also likely some adjustment in the ramp up curve to reach that rate.

Your exercise symptoms are similar to what I experienced when I first started running after getting the pacemaker.  The adjustment they made a 12 weeks out that made the max rate kick in quicker made a huge difference.

BH

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

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