irregular beat when lying on left side

Hello my pacemaker friends.
I have had a pacemaker since August of 2008 for bradycardia and sss. As far as I know I always had normal rhythm before the pacemaker, just low HR. I had ear surgery in Jan.2008 and a few days later developed irregular and/or rapid heartbeat. I'm on Toprol XL and digitek also.I have noticed the last few weeks that I have those episodes more when I lie on my left side. Sometimes I'm confused whether or not it's a fluttering that comes from my stomach or my heart.They seem to go away when I change position. Unfortunately I don't feel great either on the other side. My pacemaker is implanted on my right side and it has almost moved underneath my arm pit. It seems to be pushing against an arm muscle, but the surgeon insists that this is completely normal in women because of breast tissue??So I don't seem to be able to sleep well, because I hate sleeping on my back.
I was wondering if anybody else is experiencing the irregluar beats when sleeping on the left side. what could be causing them?-I have an appointment with the cardio on Tuesday, but I'd like to get some input if possible, because the cardio almost never listens. I like to be well prepared.
thanks in advance

4 Comments

Irregular Heart Beats

by SMITTY - 2008-10-05 01:10:54


Hello Elke,

I have lived with an irregular heart beat for about 26 years. I always had a very regular heart beat until I had bypass surgery in '82. Since then I have episodes of PVCs, PACs and skip beats periodically. I may go for several months with a steady heart beat, and then the irregularity starts and it may be an on and off thing for months. Right now I'm in my 18th month with this round, which I should add is the longest I've had to put up with this aggravation. I've had the Toprol XL and digitek treatment. Neither did me any good and in fact my episodes were worse while I was taking the digitek. A close look at the fine print that comes with my prescription shows that irregular heart beats can occur with digitek, digoxin, digitalis, and Lanoxin, which are all the same class medicine. I got angry about the way I was feeling and decided the Toprol, digitek and Cozaar were making things worse so I quit them all. While I still have episodes of irregular heart rhythm, the episodes are less request and I can tolerate more physical activity now than I have in many months.

Now, while what I have done has helped me I think, I'm not recommending that you are anyone stop any medication, But I do suggest that everyone read closely the possible side effects of any medicine prescribed for them. If you think you are having one of the side effect listed, speak to your doctor about it.

I wish you the best,

Smitty

hello

by alice G - 2008-10-05 05:10:38

it sounds like the problem iam having ive been on meds for fast and irregular heartbeats for years now and they they said i must have a pm put it as nothing was working.i had it put in on the 15 july ive had a lot of trouble with it but the sleeping is the worst . they put it on my left side but couldnt get it in the usual place so they put it lower almost under my arm. i have had so much pain with the muscles in my chest and the constant soreness of my scar.i went for a ablation 4 days ago and i told the surgeon of my pain and not sleeping because like you i cant get comfortable and i hate laying on my back i only get about 3 hours sleep a nite its getting me really down..anyway the surgeon has agreed to move my pm as its moving wheni do any activity and hurts like hell. iam not sure wether i want all the surgery agian as i had infection in the wound last time but the question is can i put up with pain for another 5-6 years when they change my battery.,and the answer to that is a definate NO. so iam waiting for the next operation appointment. there going to sew it into the breast muscle this time. i talk myself in and out of it daily. its the 6-8 weeks not using your arm that really bugs me iam not one for sitting still and not doing anything .please keep me informed of how you got on

Thank you

by Elke - 2008-10-05 11:10:10

Smitty..I always read all the literature with the meds, to the point of aggravating the doctors. I have refused to take some meds based on what I read. I'm allergic to a lot of it, and some doctors seem to miss that :-( I'm also on COPD meds and those are not supposed to be taken with heart medication. I keep the dosage low, but I have to take something.-It's good to know that I could get off the heart meds if needed. I was told that I could never get off the digitek. They made it sound like I would die if I do. I guess that's not true, because you were on them and are now here to tell about it.Haha! Makes me wonder if the doctors work for the drug companies!
Alice I hope you will feel better after having your pacemaker placed under the muscle. Please let us know how you're doing. I think a few weeks of not moving your arm is a lot better than permanent pain, so go for it.

HEART MEDS

by SMITTY - 2008-10-06 12:10:02

Elke,

Me again. One word of caution if you decide to discontinue any of your heart meds, or at least this is the way I do it. I wean myself off of any med.

On the digitek I went from one a day to one every days and after about a week I dropped that to one every three days for a couple of weeks and since I was still alive and actually felt better I shoved them to the back of my med cabinet. I do it this way since I never know how dependant my heart may be one of these things and I hope to get some indication that I have made a mistake.

I've dropped I don't know how many over the years and have changed my dosage on about that many more, but I follow this same procedure each time. Like you, I often wonder what the connection is between my doctor and the pill makers.

Good luck,

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

Member Quotes

I am active and healthy and have been given a second chance.