Trouble Sleeping

Hi,
I have had my pacemaker 5 years next month. My question is does anyone else have a problem with sleeping? My pacemaker setting is to go no lower than 60. I have read that a person's heart rate drops while they are sleeping. Since mine can't I don't stay asleep for very long. I probably wake up 8 or more times during the night. Does anyone else have this problem. My thyroid doctor wants me to have a sleep study, but I think it is because of my pacemaker setting. I don't want to have the sleep study and waste time and money if my heart rate is the cause.

Judi

4 Comments

sleep study

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-16 10:05:39

Get the sleep study. There is a suspicion that there is a link between heart problems and sleep apnea.

Many, many things can cause sleeplessness. Caffeine, vitamin deficiencies, stress, medications, the list is endless. Odds are it's not your heart.

A hr of 60 is really not very fast. Even if it drops while asleep, it shouldn't drop below 60. You can tell from your interrogation report how often you're hitting the lower limit. If you're not hitting it at all, it's not the culprit keeping you awake. Ask if they'll turn it down to 50 if you're curious. But I'd still get the sleep study!

Sleep

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-16 11:05:25

Judi,
What wakes you up? That's a clue to what is causing the problem with sleeping. An elevated HR isn't usually the direct cause of sleep problems.

By any chance is your pacemaker set to run a self test hourly? I found out recently that they can set it as often as every 15 minutes. The test causes sensations similar to those of an office checkup. If you are a light sleeper they could wake you up.You might ask whoever does the checkups.

Also, as for a copy of your pre and post interrogation report. It might give some clue as to what is happening.

frank

Sleep Study

by janetinak - 2009-05-17 01:05:26

Get a sleep study! I had the same problem & thought it was my bladder as I was waking every two hrs to go. I did the sleep study altho I was sure I didn't need it. Well, lo & behold, I have a mild sleep apnea. Got a CPAP machine & now sleep 6-7 hrs w/o waking up. I would strongly encourage you look into getting it. I agree with TraceyE. Let us know how goes.

Janet

Have the settings checked...

by chip - 2009-05-17 01:05:51

I had some trouble staying asleep after having pacemaker lead revisions done. Come to find out due to voltage requirements my pacemaker was doing a self test every two hours.

These tests, as Frank said exhibit about the same sensations as a test at the EP’s office and they were waking me up.

My EP set my device to do its last test at 11 pm and no tests until 5 am. He was reluctant to change the settings but did so at my insistence.

I’d see my EP and have the settings checked before I went through the sleep study – you might just get lucky.

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