feeling ill

I am 59 years old. I had a pacemaker put in on Oct.18, 2007. My first pacemaker check up in the Doctors office is Jan. 31st. Everything has gone according to what the doctor had told me. I use to go to the bar with a friend maybe 2x's a month and have 6 or so beers in a matter of 4 hours. Now, it seems that when I do, ( and I have only went 2 x's since my pacemaker was put in), I really get sick the next day and it lingers for 7-10 days. I get nauseous, light headed, legs are weak, dizzy. My blood pressure is usually very good, but during that time, it really fluctuates. My heart rate seems to always 60, unless, when I feel a little better, I get on the tread mill, then it will go up because of the exercise. Have any one out there experienced any symptoms like this? Thanks, leonard

4 Comments

Hangover

by SMITTY - 2008-01-13 02:01:22

Hi Leonard,

Like Cathryn, let me preface this by saying I'm not a trained medical person. However, if experience is worth anything I can comment on what you are experiencing.

I think what you are experiencing is as extended hangover. Six beers in 4 hours may not have caused this in the past, but with a heart rate of 50 BPM, you could very well be having an extended hangover. I base this on my experience that goes back many years before I ever heard of a pacemaker (about 1956). I had a low thyroid and because of it my heart rate would frequently be in the 50 to 60 range for extended periods. Less than half the alcohol I could handle before I had the thyroid problem would cause me to reach my limit. I wouldn't be knee walking drunk, but I would just lose interest in having more to drink. Then the next day, where in the past I would be over the effects within a few hours after I got up, I found myself still feeling like the devil several hours later. Fortunately I had a good doctor and he explained that until we got my thyroid mediation dose at the optimum level I would continue to have this problem and it was caused mainly by my slow heart rate. Very simply, my heart was not pumping enough blood to shall we say "flush" the alcohol out of my body. What was really happening was the low heart rate was contributing to a slow metabolism and the process of converting the alcohol to sugar where is could be consumed as energy was going at a slower pace.

To this day I have the thyroid problem and my alcohol consumption is drastically reduced from what it was 50 years ago. And I'm sure those additional years have nothing to do with it.
I suggest you follow the recommendation you received in the previous comments.

Good luck,

Smitty

We sort of have a rules at our house...

by pacergirl - 2008-01-13 02:01:39


Those rules are.....

If you can't be well in the morning...... Don't drink it in the evening.

If you just don't like it, don't eat it, wear it or hang it.
No matter who made it. Ladies will understand this one.

And If you can't wear it get rid of it.
Why feel guilty every time you see it. Who care's really if there is a bit more to love.

If you are really uncomfortable in any situation, don't go there, try something new instead. No matter who's family it might be.

Finally.... If you love someone let them know. Life is short. That is certainly something I have learned since my PM implant.

Thank you for allowing me to rattle on. I try to follow these rules.... sort of. :-) It depends on how I am feeling....

Pacergirl

Hmm - strange

by Janet - 2008-01-13 03:01:40

Whilst I will first say that we all know excessive alcohol is not good, so not suggesting for one minute that one should indulge. I have had my pacemeaker for just over three weeks, and drinking alcohol so far has not affected me at all. I was at a party last night and drank more than your six beers (I know I shouldn't) but the point I am making is that it did not affect the pacer. So maybe you should ask the doc.

Regards

Thanks, from Leonard

by leonard - 2008-01-14 12:01:26

Thanks to all who responded to my question. I am not a computer guy, my wife helps me. Your input has been very much appreciated. Thanks again, Leonard

You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

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Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!