Pacemakers

Earlier this month I was told that my 9 year old battery was running down and that I had 3 to 5 months left on it. I assume I am now at ERI stage and pm limited to 65 BPM. I am continually tired, slightly giddy and a little breathless. Is this usual? If so is there any way to alleviate this?

G

1 Comments

perfectly normal

by dwelch - 2018-06-25 15:26:30

Yep there are phases to pacemakers as a patient, the implant the recovery the first year visits to tune it the long stretch, then the watching for the battery to get low then the replacement.  And sometimes, sounds like from my doc, going to be a requirement, but either way you get into that safety mode at 65BPM.  You just have to ride it out, dont climb stairs take the elevator, give up on sports for a few weeks your pacer is preventing your body from working normaly as far as increased activity but at the same time it is keeping you alive and you should be thankful.  Hopefully the surgery is only a few days/weeks away, if not take this couch potato time to make some calls see if you cant get in early, most of the folks you are talking to dont know what it feels like to be locked at 65BPM.  

But yes being locked at 65BPM you are tired, easily exausted, have no energy, need to be careful exerting yourself, dont want to pass out, etc.  Its a tough few weeks, followed by a tough few weeks of recovery but this is only every 7-11 years give or take then we can be in the home stretch for the rest of it.

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.