Questions

Hello to all of my paced friends!!! I hope this new year is finding everyone in good health so far!

I have a few questions and was wondering if any of you could offer some advice.

Here's a quick update...I have had my pacemaker for 1 year. About 6 wees ago, I had a complete sinus node ablation. This ablation left me dependant on my pacemaker.

I have been experiancing pain that I believe is associated with the pacemaker. I no longer have a sinus node, so the pacemaker is responsible for increasing my heart rate. I have noticed that when my rate gets above 90 bpm, it becomes quite uncomfortable. I can also feel the pacemaker when it paces my ventricles. I am paced 100% in the atria, and never notice it, but my ventricles are only paced about 5%, and I can feel when the pacemaker steps in to assist. I am also having trouble going up stairs and I get quite dizzy anytime that I bend over. Are these things that can be easily corrected with an adjustment to the pacemaker's settings?

I have also been having a really hard time controlling my blood pressure over the last few weeks. I was initially diagnosed with NCS, but it has been very well maintained with the pacemaker and medication. I am currrently taking Florinef and the maximum dose of Midodrine. Normally, the combination of these meds keep my pressure at about 100/70, but I have been experiancing drops throughout the day that run about 70/40 or less. I know that the pacemaker can't regulate blood pressure, but it seems that since the ablation, my bp has been whacky and I'm not really sure what's going on. During the times that my bp is low, I notice that it is almost always associated with chest pain. My heart feels like it is being tied in a knot that is being pulled tighter and tighter. I also have problems keeping my blood pressure up when I try to do any type of physical activity. Do any of you have any idea what ma be going on?

Thanks everyone!

Amanda


2 Comments

sorry you not too good

by alice G - 2009-01-05 05:01:34

i am 100% dependant on my pm now after having ablation 2 months ago i had simular symptoms to your s i wondered if things were ever going to work right again but i went and had my settings changed and it was if someone had lifted a weight of my shoulders i felt completely different. please give it time and if your not due for a pacemaker check please ask for one . i couldnt breath or do everyday things before my settings were changed and now i feel totally different . i dont have a problem with blood pressure so iam afraid i cant help there

Re:

by chip - 2009-01-05 10:01:38

I too had problems keeping my pressure up until my doc added Fludrocortisone to my Midodrine and salt mix. Ask your doctor about it - it works well for me.

You know you're wired when...

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