New to group ? settings

what he suspected was an aggressive Search AV hysteresis programmed then they would programme my back-up VVIR or DDIR pacing with hysteresis to minimise ventricular pacing. So, they fiddled around a bit and luckily I asked a few more questions and found that it was programmed just DDI not DDIR as my cardiologist thought! Now I am programmed to kick in when heart rate drops to 50bpm and probably around 40 and upwards when sleeping, and they have turned on the rate response. I now have to see how I go.
Do many folks have this sort of problem after a pacemaker? Can anyone tell me more about the DDIR and other things I have mentioned? Bear in mind that here in New Zealand pacer checks are carried out in the main hospital, not a private cardiologist rooms. Also I have lots of other health issues, Lupus being one, which prevent me from having private treatment, I need the full back-up system at the hospitals.
Sorry to send such a long letter - I have been feeling terrible and do not know anyone else with a pacemaker.
Thanks in advance
A Lancashire Lass

2 Comments

Welcome!!

by 8thID - 2010-09-28 08:09:46

Lass-

Well, now you know at least one other person with a device. My name is Jeff, and I live in the state of Kentucky in the U.S. The city I live in is currently hosting the World Equestrian Games. Here's what I can tell you about my experience with a PM/ICD. I have 3rd degree heart block, high blood pressure, and have had some tachycardia. I had a problem with my settings in the first 2 weeks. I felt awful, and at my first check-up my device wasn't set right and they changed the program and all is fine. My heart seems to raise the rate on its own, so my rate response is off. As far as you feeling terrible--I'd contact the doctor, especially if you know it's heart related. One thing that happened to me that made me feel awful the first 2 weeks is that I was in complete heart block and for some reason my device wasn't set to correct that. Have you checked your pulse? If it continually stays around the low setting, I would call the doctor. There will probably be more people on here soon to chime in on this. There are some great people on this forum, and you should ask away with any questions you have. I wish you the best. Take Care!

Jeff

Welcome/New to Group/settings

by Lancashire Lass - 2010-09-28 11:09:08

Thanks Jeff for your welcome and comments.
I was checking my pulse last night, resting watching TV 48bpm. Decided to try and get out in the garden this morning and felt really good puling out the weeds! I was worried when they told me they were lowering the settings but I was extremely symptomatic when my ventricle was pacing so this may help, as I was feeling worse with the pacemaker than without it. My AV block will likely be worse because of the flecainide and metoprolol which I take daily.
Can anyone explain the difference between DDIR and VVIR to me?
Thanks

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.