Interrogation Yesterday and Setting Adjustments

So TODAY is my birthday and I am 62 and well! I got my medtronic MRI compatible pacemaker on July 16 and received my first formal interrogation and met with the technician and my doctor's nurse. I had been complaining of fatigue even with the pacemaker. I insisted on becoming an informed patient so they did give me a printout of my report. They had me set with a low of 70 and a high of 150. They said that I had 0 episodes of afib since the last check and only 1 one-second SVT on Aug. 16. And I have been pacing 78.2% of the time. Because I told them that I am having problems staying asleep at night and then falling asleep during the day, they changed the low to 60 and also increased the auto capture feature/sensor. He said this increases the slope and makes it more sensitive to inceased energy. They explained it to me that if I am walking with more of a glide than walking with a stomp, it will sense the glide as increased energy, like it would automatically for a stomping action and give me more energy during the day. I believe this is the rate response feature. I also asked if there was a "sleep" mode that could be turned on but they said that was something in older pacemakers and not on the newer ones. I also said I had read about the pacemaker going into "test" mode during the night that might cause disrupt in sleep and the nurse said the "test" mode sends a pacing pulse down hrough the pacemaker for only a split second only and would not be causing sleep disruptions. She did suggest that I get my thyroid levels checked to see if my synthroid for hypo-thyroidism is correct because I told her I was breaking out in sweats a lot. So that's what happened and they were very happy to explain everything. I am hopeful that things will be better but they said that there are MANY adjustments/tweeks they can do but only want to try one or two at a time to see what actually works. I am encouraged! Thanks to everyone for the best encouragement, which is moral/emotional support!

5 Comments

Birthday

by CK108 - 2012-08-30 03:08:03

Happy Birthday! I turned 50 yesterday and it was a bitter sweet day for me. I also have a Medtronic MRI compatible pacemaker implanted on Aug 9. So it was 3 weeks today! You have a little more experience than and I found it fascinating to hear about your interrogation. I have a feeling I will be needing some tweeks to my settings at some point. I'm glad to hear you are encouraged! I was cleared to exercise (no bike riding or swimming yet) but I have been walking this whole time and now have even started running a little. The incision site is still pretty sore and I hope that will fade with time but I guess it may always be an issue (we do have the bra thing to deal with!). Hope you have a great birthday and have fun things planned. I find that today I have a grateful heart!
Take Care,
Carlyn

Thank you Carlyn

by Good Hearted Mary - 2012-08-30 06:08:05

Happy Birthday to you too Carlyn! It is good to hear from another newcomer to getting a pacemaker. Because it has been a month and a half since receiving mine the bruising and swelling has all gone away but because I am fairly thin it does stick out a bit but I can certainly live with that. At my age I am not going to be in any beauty contests! The soreness has gone away as well but because it is so new to me I can always sense that it is there and am aware of it most of the time still. You must be due soon for your first interrogation. I learned on this website mostly about what questions to ask them and that the settings can be adjusted according to how you are feeling. I am sure that some patients don't really want to know all the details but for me knowing helps me with acceptance. I wish you the very best of luck and hope you stay in touch.

Test mode

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-31 02:08:18

There is a lot more that one pulse that is used to check it. At least with my Medtronic it goes through a sequence of a number beats at 85 bpm followed by a burst at 100 bpm. It never wakes me up (I'm a sound sleeper), but I have had it happen when I wake for a bathroom trip.

Lowering the lower limit to 60 may be more help. At 70 there is a feeling that your heart is racing especially when you are laying in bed and it should be slower.

Anyway it sounds like they are willing to work with you on finding comfortable settings. That's important.

frank

Thank you support group friends

by Richard F - 2012-08-31 08:08:18

I am glad I found this site because I can share how I feel after my defib/pacemaker implant on Aug. 1st. I have had fears and concerns, aches and pains but the pain particularly in the left shoulder has subsided. I am so much more aware of each step I take in my recovery process and you folks have helped me face those fears and concerns so THANK YOU.

Still feeling good energy?

by Ck - 2014-02-27 06:02:46

Hi,
I am just reading this post now and am wondering if you are still feeling a good energy level.
I am having trouble with daytime fatigue, and at my last visit they increased my rate response from medium to medium-high. I have not noticed an increase of energy, but have had many more episodes of feeling faint/lightheaded.
I found the explanations from your doctor interesting, especially since he told me there was nothing the pm could do to increase energy levels. Whereas it sounds like your doctor said the exact opposite.
Thanks for your reply,

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.