Can't Sleep

Hello

by Christmmpace - 2007-04-02 02:04:10

Hello David,

What's keeping you up I don't really know, but I know for some reason or another after I got my PM it was like I was feeling every heart beat. My heart would race and race but never gets to the finish line. I had to go on Toprol to lower my heart rate. It took me about one year to finally get use to the whole pacemaker thing. I was a big cry bady but some how I got passed it and life became normal again. Hang in there buddy you're going to be just fine. God bless you and a little praying doesn't hurt anyone. Be safe and take care.

Christmmpace

Don't worry

by bionic_laura - 2007-04-02 05:04:31

I had this problem too after my pacemaker was installed. It was set so my heart rate didn't fall below 60bpm for the first couple of months until it settled in. When it is adjusted ask them to switch on the sleep settings. They did this for me and when I am inactive at night my heart rate can drop and now I sleep fine.

Bionic Laura

Hi :)

by tricky45 - 2007-04-02 08:04:19

If this is your first pacemaker it may just be that your body is adjusting to having a consistent heart rate and that you are more concious of it at the moment, It will probably settle down with time but if it keeps it up for more than a couple of weeks I would go back and mention it to your doc.
Take care

Can't sleep either!

by colleenjohnson - 2007-04-02 09:04:37

I have had my ICD/PM since Sept/05, and I will be honest with you that I haven't had a good solid nights sleep since! I know this dont sound good, but the way I am handling it is not good either. Ever Since I had this installed I have been taking Gravol every night. First it started with the meds making me nausated and then I realized they help me fall asleep. I am not telling you to do the same. Go to your doctor, and demand that you be heard with this problem Hopefully your Dr. will help you, because my doctor told me this would soon pass....I am still waiting. All the Best! Colleen

It's early yet!

by ela-girl - 2007-04-03 01:04:04

Hi,David-

It took me until the 4th week after having my pm fitted to be able to sleep fairly comfortably. Like a previous poster stated, I felt like I was feeling my heartbeat all the time. I was very conscious of it because, well, it was something very new in my chest! It was hard not to be aware of it! And it was keeping my heart at a healthy rate that it wasn't used to being at. I was also a bit sore from the surgery and not being able to move around like normal. I was so careful not to overdo it (which helped me to heal faster and not have common post-surgery problems). And I always slept with my arm immobilizer on at night for weeks. To this day I don't sleep the same way I did before my pm. Some positions aren't as comfortable for me now. I can't say that I sleep any better or any worse now that I'm pretty healed than I did before my pm (had my pm fitted in 10/06).

Personally, I believe it will get better for you. But if it doesn't, you have to be your own best advocate and defintiely speak with your doc. Give it some time even though I know it's hard!

Sweat dreams and happy pacing-
ela-girl

Insomnia & irritability

by DriverMama - 2019-10-15 12:08:26

Can not easily fall asleep nor stay asleep since pacemaker surgery 1/29/19 due to a-fib.

Post implant surgery diagnosed with Tachy-Brady Syndrome and Sick Sinus Syndrome

Before Surgery, my daytime pulse was in the 50’s

Now, even at night, my pulse is a minimum of 70 resulting in insomnia & irritability.

I tried extending my daily swimming from 30 to 60 minutes, with very minimal relief. 

My poor husband does not know what he’s “done wrong”.

His comment prompted me to come here looking for an answer. 

THANK YOU!

I have notified my electrophysiologist of my symptoms.

I’m hoping for a rate adjustment, at least at night, for more comfort with our daily living.