not feeling well

I am 8 weeks post op pm. I still do not have much energy. When I try to do activities such as a couple loads of clothes, grocery shopping, or much of anything after work, it totally zapps my energy making me sick. Yesterday I visited my daughter at college a couple of hours away and today I can hardly move. I have a stressful desk job and my energy declines as the week progresses. I am having a sleep study this week but I don't think I have sleep apnea. We will see. I was incorrectly diagnosed for 1 1/2 years. There is a difference in that I am not so exhausted all I can do is sleep. My GP has told me it will take time to re acclimate my body. Do you agree? I am 47 and I want to feel healthy again. I go for a pm check the end of Sept then see my heart doctor the first week of October.

6 Comments

Sorry for you

by ohiolaura - 2012-08-26 08:08:26

I am 8 weeks as of tomorrow,Monday myself.I am sorry you are not feeling well yet,I am hoping you will soon,or will find out why you are not feeling better at this point.
I am 2 yrs older than you,and had been very physically active before the surgery,and I will say it kicked my butt afterwards big time.
I didnt think it would,but it did.It's been the toughest thing Ive ever experienced,and I will say there were many days,going into weeks that I was wondering if I would feel like I used to again.
I personally turned the corner at 6 weeks,it was like a light was turned on from off,really weird,but the way it was.
Maybe you just need more time,hopefully thats all it is.
Maybe your PM needs adjusting,maybe you need some type of meds,maybe its the sleep apnea,who knows.
Id say if you feel that poorly,call your Dr's,and get in sooner.I would,find out what the story is,hopefully its an easy fix,or answer.
I know were all different in so many ways,get the answers and feel better soon!
Good luck!
Laura

Energy

by Alma Annie - 2012-08-27 08:08:48

I am 14 months with pm. I still don't have as much energy as I used to. I just pace myself. After housework such as bathroom cleaning I can't do anymore that day. I don't know whether it is pm, drugs, or just getting old!! EP has made the comment "Well you are alive aren't you?" Enough said.
Just pace yourself don't worry, and let the medics find out if there is anything else that needs correcting.
All the best
Alma Annie

no energy

by kye9302 - 2012-08-27 09:08:56

I have my pm because of brachycardia. Heart rate in the 40s dropping into 30s. I'm set at 70 and I am not experiencing the extreme exhaustion like before my surgery. According to the other test performed my heart is healthy. It is just so hard getting thru a workday and my energy declines during the week. This is a big concern because I need to work. Frank hopefully you're right, it will just take more time. I haven't had a pm interrogation since I left the hospital. Maybe I should have one sooner
than scheduled. I'm just tired of being tired but yes I am happy I'm not passing out anymore
Thanks for all your support and advice.
Kim

keep seeking an answer

by Hope - 2012-08-27 10:08:33

Hi! You need an answer to your worries, as the stress of worry is not good for heart health or general health. Perhaps, you are pushihg too hard if one of the issues Frank mentioned is at play. If not the answer and the sleep study does not reveal the answer, perhaps you should consider a health issue unrelated to your heart is at work. Are all doctors/pharmacists aware of the medication(s) you take, especially a combination? After eliminating all the above possibilites, it seems a second opinion would be a good idea for you. Will be thinking of you. Hopeful Heart

It depends on why you received the pacer

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-27 12:08:29

If you had gone without a needed pacemaker for a long period of time your body can deteriorate from the shortage of blood flow. After receiving the pacemaker it can take time to recover.

Another possibility is if you have some heart condition that isn't totally corrected by the pacemaker. While I'm not suggesting that it is your problem, a common one is congestive heart failure. In this case the pacer may improve the efficiency of the heart somewhat, but doesn't restore it to full output.

Have you had your first programming checkup yet? If not it may be as simple as having some of the settings tweaked. These days doctors have become notorious for telling any sort of story to put off the the checkup.

frank

frank

no energy

by kye9302 - 2012-08-28 12:08:03

Hope I could've have said it better myself. I'm trying to wait until my appt with the cardiologist the 1st week in Oct. Hoping to feel better by then. Maybe I should try to get an earlier appt. I have learned the hard way that we as patients have to fight for our own health. Yes my doctors and pharmacy are aware of my meds. I just started on an antidepressant but I also know myself well enough to know this isn't the only thing going on. I feel so blessed to have found all of you. Thank you for helping.
Kim

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