Can anyone relate to this?

I had my pacemaker implanted on May 29, 2012 for slow heart rate and syncope. No energy at first and sore, but last week I started to feel much better I even took two walks one a day for about a mile each with little to no issue, then a day later I took a the same walk and felt worn out.

I could feel my pacemaker after the walk. I usually feel it in my neck then lose energy for the rest of the day; I just don’t feel like moving. I also get strange ringing in my ears when I start to feel bad. I have the home monitor and had the DR review my pacer information; he said it all looks good and I might be overdoing it.

I’m only pacing 1.1% in the RA and 1.7% in the RV; heart rate set to pace at 50 or below. Why don’t I feel better?  Is this normal for 6 weeks out from surgery?  Also I can’t tolerate the hot weather at all.  I just want to return to normal or close to it.

3 Comments

We share the date!

by azlilly - 2012-07-11 05:07:01

I got my pace maker implanted on the same day as you!
I live in Arizona and have been experiencing the exact same symptoms as you. My rate response is turned on though.

I have been having problems with the heat also. It is 105 outside right now. For the first month I had to carry an ice pack to alternate between my incision site and the back of my neck to cool me down.

I am set at 50/170 and pacer at 4 %

My doc has only cleared me to walk so far but I see him again tomorrow. Maybe I'll talk to him about these things also.

Getting back to normal:)

by Pookie - 2012-07-11 08:07:57

What you posted seems to be very common as a lot of us have experienced what you have described, although I have not heard of ringing in the ears a lot.

Your body is trying to adjust to your new buddy and you are still doing a lot of healing inside. Give yourself some more time. Pace yourself...no pun intended.

As far as the hot weather - it is weird, but there are a lot of us who could tolerate the heat but now with a pacemaker we cannot. I got mine for the same reasons you describe and it took about 3 yrs for me to get used to the heat..but with saying that there are some days I can't tolerate the heat at all - I get dizzy quite quickly and feel a bit short of breath, very frustrating, but I make sure I have water with me at all times and just take more breaks.

I'm only guessing, but you have a bit more healing to do before you feel better and going to Cardiac Rehab like HurtHeart suggested is a wonderful idea. My cardiologist suggested it, but I never went and now I really think I should have.

Have you had your pacemaker "interrogated" yet as perhaps the a few of the settings have to be set for your particular needs. Do you know if your Rate Response is ON or OFF?

Don't give up because with time you should feel back to normal, but with that being said, you really have to have a very good & open dialogue with your PM doctors.

I still believe with a lot of newbies that it's just a matter of getting the doctors to LISTEN and hope that they doctors will take the time to adjust the settings.

Keep us posted.
Pookie

Thank You All

by Ronmc - 2012-07-11 12:07:21

All of your advice is greatly appreciated. I called my PM DR and my rate responce is turned off I have explained what I'm feelig and he explained that my next visit will be the two month mark from implant and they will make adjustments at that time because the leads will be well planted by then and they can reduce the voltage and make the settings custome to me. The DR did move my apointment up two weeks. I will keep you posted on the outcome. Another strange symptom I get now is some of my teeth are now really sensitive to cold I never had that before not sure if it is re lated to this or not.

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

Member Quotes

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