Still having symptoms after pacemaker implanted

Hi there. I'm new to this board. I'm 29 years-old with two wonderful children. During my second pregnancy I was experiencing severe lighheadedness and dizziness and was told by my wonderful OB that it would go away after I had the baby and that it was just my hormones. I have the baby and I still have the symptoms so I go to a cardiologist and he does some tests and had me where a holter monitor for 30 days. On day 26 my heart paused for 7.5 seconds and my heart rate had been in the low 20's. So I got a call that I was to get a pacemaker the next day. Threw me for a loop but alright. In hopes that I would be back to normal and not feeling crappy anymore I got the pacemaker on 8/21 and am still having symptoms. I read sometimes it has to do with the pacemaker getting set for your individual needs but has this happened to anyone else? I drive 60 miles to work one way and am scared when I'm driving b/c of how I feel. There have been a couple times where my hearing gets blocked and I lose focus and get extremely dizzy and I think I'm going to pass out. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

2 Comments

settings

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-17 11:10:17

Do not drive when you feel that way!!!!!!!

It's highly likely that your settings need adjusted. The standard settings they use are for a more sedentary lifestyle than the average young and otherwise healthy mom. Call and ask to be checked. If they can't see what's happening by looking at the pm report, ask for a stress test.

Settings

by maryanne - 2008-10-17 12:10:58

Casey....

I would agree with TraceyE....I have had a PM for almost 25 years and I still get adjustments made.

Funny you should mention pregnancy with your first symptoms. I was preganant with my first daughter when I started to get really symptomatic...like you I wore the holter monitor and lo and behold ended up with a PM...I was preganant but didn't know it.

PM's can make a world of difference for us, but there is adjustments that have to be made to suit our lifestyle. I just had mine checked yesterday and once again we made an adjustment to accomodate my running....so as our lives change so do the setting in our PM....tell them exactly what you are experiencing.....it may take a few times to find the setting that works best for you.

Good luck...and welcome to the club....oh and again I would agree with Tracey Don't drive when you feel that way...especially if you have your little darlings in the vehicle with you...if you are driving and it happens pull over rest and if possible bet assistance.

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.