chest/back pain after rate increase

Hi Everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has had anything like this happen to them.
I was having a lot of problems last week starting with blacking out, then having palpataions, dizzines, breathlessness,etc., and everyone was so helpful with all of their comments, so hoping to get some help here with this.
When I went to see my EP he figured out it was my pacer from all of my symptoms, so he couldn't see anything, but knowing my history and Junctional rhythms that I was experiencing, he increased my rates from 60 to 70 at night and 80 to 90 during the day.
Since Friday, I started having more Junctional rhythms, and last night (Sat) my upper back started hurting, was up a lot last night with chest and back pain, and now I'm constatnly feeling my hart rate because it's so fast. I feel better than I did before he turned up my pacer, but these symptoms as kind of worrying me, I'm assuming it's my pacer, just hoping it's not causimg any damage to anything because it's turned up so high. It's also painful to take a deep breath, where before it wasn't. Thanks for reading this, and any comments you have would be greatly appreciate:) Karri

3 Comments

You need to get checked

by tsimbrow - 2010-12-19 08:12:54

Hi Karri,
AS a nurse and as a patient, you need to get these symptoms looked at right away. It could be your pacer, but it doesn't sound normal at all. I have had junctional rhythms and although I don't have a pacemaker right now, I do remember what it felt like and I still get the junctional rhythms, but they can't do anything for it, but from what I'm reading this sounds like you need to be checked ASAP. the pain sounds suspicoius as well as having more junctional rhythms and I'm very concerened about you. The rhythms could be OK, but the pain is not and the symptoms of passing out and such are not good either. Please get checked ASAP. I'm really worried about you and let me know what is going on.
Taryn

Still doesn't sound right....

by Pookie - 2010-12-19 10:12:24

You need a 2nd opinion right away. Sorry to be blunt, but your story isn't sitting nicely with me.....meaning I don't think your doctor has done near what he/she should have.

With my NON-medical background....I truly believe you need (for starters) a simple chest Xray to see if your leads are in place. And if I were you, I'd also be asking for a heart ultrasound/echo.

Call back immediately and get back in and ask if the leads are functioning properly...I think on the report, the word you should be looking for is Impedence...that shows you how much voltage it takes for your pacemaker to pace your heart...if there is a significant jump in the numbers from the last time you were interrogated to just days ago - that would signal to me that there is something wrong with the leads, but Frank is SO much better explaining this than I.

And I truly believe that pacing at 90 is kind of on the high side. I've never heard anyone on this site to be paced that high....

Is there any way you can be seen by another EP?????

Don't wait, call first thing Monday morning and demand to be seen immediately.

Perhaps I'm being a little over dramatic, but this just does not sound right to me. You can't continue to live this way. And if it were me and no one would listen to me - I'd call 9-1-1 and tell them you are experiencing chest pain, you'll be in the hospital so fast, and perhaps a new set of eyes will be able to check you out if you know what I mean.

Take charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pookie

I agree

by tsimbrow - 2010-12-20 07:12:43

Hi Karri,
I agree with Pookie, didn't want to be an alarmist, but as a nurse, this just sounds too concerning not to tell you that I'm very concerned. This sounds like a lead problem or the beginnings of a new problem and either way you need to be checked ASAP and please promise me to go to the ER. Like Pookie said, sometimes a fresh set of eyes are good to see the big picture and hopefully find out what is causing all of this distress.
Taryn

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