Update on me....

• by Janey L
• 2011-10-21 10:10:49
• Checkups & Settings
• 1376 views
• 3 comments

Hi all
It's just over 5 weeks since my PM. I had my first check-up yesterday. On looking at my PM print-outs & the results on their computer, they found I have an accelerated junctional rhythm, running around 70bpm, so they increased my resting HR from 60 to 75 to try & stop it. They could see on the computer that at 70 it was still there, but at 75 it went. So here's hoping the adjustment will solve the problem. My EP did say before the PM that I might have this problem, & he was right. I had junctional bradycardia before the PM, running at 40-60. Now I've got an accelerated junctional rhythm.

I had my PM for sick sinus with chronotropic incompetence, following an ablation near my sinus node in June. They said yesterday my atrial pacing is 96% but they expect it to go up to 100% now they have increased my HR. My sinus node really was wiped out in the ablation! My ventricular pacing was 6% but they said this is probably falsely high due to the junctional rhythm & they would expect it to go down with my higher HR.

They did not increase my rate response settings as they said they only like to do one big change at a time....because if you then feel unwell, they know which setting they changed & can change it back. My problem has been tiredness/exhaustion since the PM & they think the increased HR to 75 will hopefully help improve that.

Due to this rhythm, they want me to go back in 7 weeks, on the day I'm due to see my EP in his clinic. So now I'm having my PM checked again first, then seeing him. I'm in the UK so the techs do the PM check-up, without a Dr there. On 12th December I'll see my EP afterwards, in case this rhythm is still there. They said yesterday it was causing the atria & ventricles to NOT beat in sync with each other.

I am going back to work on Monday! I work in a UK NHS hospital, it gets very busy. I feel ready to go back. My arrythmia nurse advised me to take the time off I needed to recover, & not rush back to work within a few days/week. He knows I have a habit of going back too soon & making myself feel worse! So I stayed off just over 5 weeks. My EP & GP both agreed this was a good idea. As a result I do feel much better, both physically & emotionally (you may remember I felt totally wrecked 2 weeks post-op & contacted the arrythmia nurse for urgent help!).

I definately feel MUCH better with the PM. Before I had it I could hardly walk or function at all. My HR was dropping to 32, not going above the 50's & I was lucky to get it to 60 on exertion. Now it runs at 75 at rest & I have got it up to 120 on walking. It's fantastic. Even though my sinus node was wiped out by the ablation near it (for atrial tachycardia), I'm just SO thankful they could do something to help me.

I would say the recovery has been harder than I expected, the Dr's don't warn you about the pain, emotional impact etc. But I've come through it with a small scar, a PM box that is flush to my skin so can't see it sticking out at all....& got my life back. I am now pain free & am allowed to use my left arm again (so pleased about that!!). Even with this accelerated junctional rhythm, life is still far better with the PM.

Just to keep you updated.....

Best wishes
Janey