Tiredness

I have had my PM since 5-24-07, and after the anxiety and learning to cope with the PM I have recently started being tired quite and bit and feel that I may need an interrogation and some tweeking. Could having the above symptoms start after this length of time? I actually have not felt really good the past two years although the PM checks out okay during the doctors visit and phone checks. I do have an appointment to try and resolve this problem with the EP.

Sharon B

4 Comments

tired

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-21 04:05:45

It's not likely that your pm is suddenly working differently, but your heart could be changing or something else could be going on. Just because the pm checks out ok doesn't mean the settings are just right, that you are feeling the best you could be feeling. When they say it checks out ok, that means it's functioning the way it's supposed to. Do you feel tired all the time or on exertion? You need to tell them specifically when you feel bad and exactly how you feel. The pm can only tell them so much, the rest has to come from you.

Tiredness

by 220 chandler ave - 2009-05-21 05:05:28

There are times when I feel okay but when I started having this tiredness, I read an article on PM's and there are times that the settings do need to be changed. I have no problem on exertion. I do have a demanding job and that could be part of the problem. I will find out in a couple of days.

physical?

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-21 06:05:03

When was your last physical? It could easily be your settings, but it can't hurt to make sure your blood counts are good. Sleep and nutrition also play a part. It might help to keep a food and sleep diary and mark when you feel excessively tired, there could be a pattern.

Tiredness

by SMITTY - 2009-05-21 06:05:19

Hi Sharon,

PM checks are good for telling you that all the circuits in your pacemaker are working and that the battery is still strong enough to keep the PM functioning and not much else. A good PM doctor or good technician might be able to determine if your PM is sending an impulse at exactly the right time and a few other things, but from my experience, I have to say the "experts" capable of doing that are few and for between.

As Tracey said, your symptoms are not likely to be caused by your PM. In fact there is an almost endless list of things that could be causing you to feel the way to you do. The EP should be able to tell you if changes in the settings on your PM will help, but more than likely you will have to rely on the input from your primary care Dr. or your cardiologist.

Forgive me for sounding like I must think I'm talking to a little kid that doesn't know sheep dip from wild honey, but I would suggest that you just tell your doctors how you feel and let them diagnose the cause. To many times we can influence the doctors thinking on the cause of our problem if we give too many details so don't go in with any perceived notions about what is causing your problem.

Now, I'm not saying don't tell the doctor the full story, but just be very careful about giving any hints of on where or why you think the problem originates.

I have to say this again, if I what I have said offends you any, please forgive me. I guess what I'm really thinking is don't make the same mistake I have made a couple of times.

Goodf luck,

Smitty

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