pacer 1 year 9 month check-up

On thurs 29th of this month I go in for my check-up. Need to ask some questions of you. I still have my walking issues. Can only go a short distances and run out of steam. Almost like hitting a wall and get short of breath. Now I miss my walking and on my last appointment (9 months ago) ask the dr what could be done. He said he turned on my responce rate thingy. Helped abit, not alot though. So my question...what do I ask to have done to help this issue?? Also play out quickly. Not willing to give in as I'm only 64 and was going really strong before the PM but never seemed to bounce back. Had a stroke 3 years ago this Aug. coming and bounced back really well from that. Was up to walking 4 km. a day. Now lucky if I can go 5 mins.
Think I'm set at lowest 60 and the highest 160 not totaly sure of the top rate. So hope you can give me some idea what I need to find out to correct this issue as summer is coming and my 3 grandkids and I love going walking. Thanks for your time
Binky

5 Comments

Walking

by TalkinCardio - 2012-03-24 04:03:48

I too was having very similar issues with walking and was very frustrated until I found a tech that was willing to spend the time with me to get may pacer settings correct for me.

A few suggestions: This awesome Tech from my pacer company would change a setting and have me go out walking around the hosptial to see how I felt. I even went outside and walked the perimiter of the hospital to get a real good idea. He is very patient and determined. It is in their best interest that we are happy with their product.

Also, he told me that they get "real time" information from the 6 hours prior to my interogation, so now I always go for a walk at home the morning of my appointment so they can actually see how my pm is reacting and what may need to be changed. Some club members on this site have said their tech lets them get on a treadmill during their appointment so the tech can watch what the pm is doing.

My main message is, don't settle, keep at them until you are walking comfortably. Also, don't wait another 9 months either, call them for an earlier appointment if you are experiencing problems.

Hope this helps, good luck. Cathy

thanks

by Binky - 2012-03-24 05:03:43

thanks for your imput. My only problem is I am at a smaller hospital that does not have Pm techs. I ask last visit but will bug my heart doc. Thanks again and I will try the walk before the appointment and see if that tells him anything.
Binky

rate increase

by Rodlyn - 2012-03-25 02:03:49

I too had a similar problem and it was relieved with a rate increase adding 15 beats per minute.

Pacemaker Sensor Slope Issue

by ldebaugh - 2012-03-26 09:03:28

Hi,
Binky and others, my PM was put in on 2/10/2012, just 6 weeks ago and I had the same walking problem. I complained a lot. I've had several adjustments and the last was done by my electrophysiologist and tech who did the surgery.
Here's what improved it --they changed the "slope" of how fast I increase my heart rate. I had the upper limit set at 120 and then 130 with no improvement. I never went above 85 bpm when I walked fast, then hit that wall like you have. What good is a 130 bpm limit if you never get above 85? Ask them to adjust the slope, or how fast you can get to that higher rate. Another thing is ask for a treadmill test (not a stress test). This is the best way to adjust it while you are actually walking. And you do need to get to an authorized manufacturer's tech. Plan a trip to the next biggest city to do it. Good Luck!

thanks

by Binky - 2012-03-27 05:03:59

glad to hear I'm not crazy like my doc seems to think and others have hit that same wall. will ask my doc about getting a manufacturer's tech if not Halifax is only 2 hrs away. Might be good to see someone new Never know.
Thanks again you have all been a big help and boost for me.
Binky

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