new bi-vent; stairs are hard

I have a new bi-vent pacemaker and tomorrow will be day 13 after my surgery. Before I had it put in I had no symptoms of my cardiomyopathy even with an EF of 25%. ( I am 47 and very active.) The pacemaker went in to correct my LBBB, but now I cannot do stairs anymore or walk up our steep driveway without stopping at the top to catch my breath. I found some other posts from a long time ago regarding a similar stairs problem but the OP never posted if they found anything out about settings. I have a Medtronic Protecta.

I see my cardiologist tomorrow and plan to ask him. But I don’t know, maybe it’s just too early in the healing process? Maybe I’ll be able to do stairs again in a couple of weeks? But I thought I was supposed to feel the same or better, not worse?

Thanks for any thoughts,

Lisa

6 Comments

Hi Lisa:)

by Pookie - 2012-05-08 10:05:46

I really think it's your body trying to heal. You're just 2 weeks post-op...you need more time to heal.

And yes, what you are experiencing is somewhat common but I truly believe that your Cardiologist should be able to help you with the settings. Just get them to do one adjustment at a time - if not you will not know which one worked & which one didn't. For some of us it took dozens of trips back & forth before we finally felt "normal" again.

Keep us posted:)

Pookie

Thanks to both of you

by L5 - 2012-05-08 11:05:04

It is always so good to hear from others that have been through a similar situation. Sounds like I just have to be patient, never a strong suit of mine!

I will mention to doctor, just in case. But thanks for easing my mind.

All best,
Lisa

New Bi-V

by Many Blessings - 2012-05-08 11:05:48

Hi Lisa,

I too have a Bi-V PM (CRT-P) with the AV Node ablation. I can relate to your story exactly! I too, have cardiomyopathy w/heart failure, A-fib, etc., yet went years staying active and until very recently, without a lot of problems. There were times when the heart failure symptoms made it difficult to climb a second flight of stairs, but other than that, I could do it fine.

I am on day 20 of my new device, and until two days ago, I too, got winded and had to stop climbing the stairs. About 2 weeks after my implant, I had a follow up appointment and told the doctor I wasn't happy because I felt worse than before the PM! One complaint was "I can no longer climb stairs without stopping!" I told them "this made things worse! I hate it! I want it out!"

I'm with Pookie, I think this is part of your healing process and it will get better. Do check with your doctor to see if they need to do an adjustment, just in case.

Hang in there! Like I said, I'm on day 20, and just a couple of days ago was the first time I didn't have to stop going up the stairs! Today, I made it up two flights (off and on all day long) without any trouble! I was so excited!

Keep listening to those like Pookie, who have lived through this. They can help us all!

Thoughts and prayers for your recovery.

Results

by L5 - 2012-05-10 12:05:35

Just posting the outcome of my cardiologist appointment in case it helps someone else. My cardiologist felt like I should be feeling same energy as before even at just two weeks post op. He sent me to have settings adjusted with pm tech and echo tech. The two of them coordinated and adjusted my settings. Pm tech would try something and echo tech would comment on what my heart did. After I left I felt no better. Went home feeling exhausted and went to bed early, figuring I would start from scratch after a good night's sleep before getting discouraged. Today I feel so much better and can handle the stairs. I feel very lucky they could get me in so quickly!

Lisa

thanks for results

by sernarama - 2012-05-12 02:05:56

Thanks Lisa for following up. I am your age and also have a Medtronic Protecta. I have had the same settings since February and I feel like crap, but I don't see my docs until Aug. I am going to ask my local doc about coordinating with the echo and pm techs. It's worth a shot.

TESS

Hi Tess

by L5 - 2012-05-12 10:05:26

Hi Tess,

I wanted to let you know how night and day it was for me after my settings were changed.

Wednesday they adjusted my settings. Tired, went to bed early that night. Thursday I went to a festival where we had to park 2 miles away, the last mile to the festival was steep hill. No problems! Proceeded to walk hill and talk, then continue on walking throughout festival. Yesterday, I went to my oldest son's college graduation. It was held in a football stadium and I made everyone go very close to the bottom of the stadium. Afterwards, I went up from the bottom of the stadium, and proceeded to walk mostly up hill to our car, a mile away, with no problems. Also, I have had to go to bed at 9-10pm every night since I got the device. Just exhausted. Both days I was able to stay up until Midnight and made the choice to go to sleep. I wasn't held hostage by my body dictating my sleep time.

Today is a champtionship baseball game and Sunday is another festival. PM tech told me to test the settings for a few days and get back to her on Monday with good or bad news. I would say I will have done a fair test on the new settings. :)

Hopefully, the settings adjustment is the solution to your being tired. Good luck!

Lisa

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