Dual Champber Checkup

Today I had my biannual pacer checkup.

 

Assessment:

Threshold and Lead Impedence within normal limits.

Battery Longevity: 6.7-7.6 years

Patient has home monitoring: Yes

Presenting rhythm: presenting rhythm: paced

Rate: 60 bpm

Mode: DDDR

Blood Thinner: Pradaxa

AT/AF Burden: 3.6 %

Significant/Recent Episodes: No

Changes Made: NA.

Dependency: yes

 

Doctor is satisfied with my heart and pacer as everything seems to be normal for my new normal.  Seems my body has accepted my blood thinner “Pradaxa” but it has taken 2.5 years to get used to it.  I don’t have the faint spells anymore but I still bruise easily.  My last pacer setting changes make it more sensitive has made a big difference almost like a normal heart beat.  At least normal for me.  Since I am totally dependent on my pacer with a dead sinus node the only test they do not perform is turning my pacer down.  The tech did this once and I fell out of the chair and had to be jump started.

 

All and all I feel like I am almost 100% normal and just happy to still be here.

3 Comments

Jump start

by piglet22 - 2023-08-02 05:49:02

Reducing the PM rate is an unpleasant sensation, but falling out of the chair?

That must have alarmed all concerned. What exactly do you mean by jump start? I'm assuming you needed some sort of resucitation.

I'm sure we're all happy that you are still here.

Best wishes.

Your check up

by Gemita - 2023-08-02 06:11:34

Stache, thank you for the update.  Like Piglet, I have a question.  You say, 

“My last pacer setting changes make it more sensitive has made a big difference almost like a normal heart beat.  At least normal for me.”  

That sounds like something we arrhythmia sufferers would all like to know more about.  By chance, do you happen to know what those settings changes were or which setting was changed?

I am glad you are able to tolerate the anticoagulant (Dabigatran) since I know it can be difficult and not so gentle as say Apixaban, particularly on our digestive system.  Are you saying that the faint spells were caused by the Dabigatran?   I know my Atrial Fibrillation (AF) can still cause near syncope with a rapid ventricular response rate although like you, my AF is well controlled now.

I hope you continue to do well

Pacer Setting Changes

by Julianne - 2023-08-04 18:43:00

I second Gemita's request, do you know what those settings changes were or which setting was changed?

Thank you.

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