Questions

Hi everyone-
I am so grateful to have found this site. I'm 42 years old and had my PM implanted almost 3 weeks ago. I had two ablations done ten years ago for Wolfe Parkinson's and had been symptoms free (no tachycardia) for that whole time. Then, 3 weeks ago, I was dizzy, EKG showed heart block, heart rate of 3-- PM next day. I'm feeling much better, and go back tomorrow for my follow up, and will ask my doc but after reading some of the posts and comments, I thought you might be be able to help. I feel my heart beating, I guess it's the pacing, feels like its in my stomach. Is that normal? Do you just get used to it? How long until I no longer feel tired. As of now, I can't drive or work,and am wondering how long it takes until I can lift things. Also, and probably the biggest challenge is the psychological aspect of this. I still feel like I'm in shock, after so many years of feeling good,getting a PM within 48 hours of symptoms, I feel rocked. Any advice or suggestions on how to accept it for the gift it is and move on? How long does it take to trust your body to do everything you did before you needed a PM? I guess I just feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Thanks so much for listening.

4 Comments

It Takes Some Time

by Many Blessings - 2013-07-02 09:07:00

Welcome!

As far as the pacing feeling in your stomach, it's most likely diaphragmatic pacing. This is really common and a lot of us had it in the beginning until the PM tech makes some adjustments. Mine went away as soon as they adjusted it. Just make sure to mention it to them when you go in for your check up so they can fix it right away.

There are other things that may need adjusting too. Another common one is your rate response setting. If you feel more tired, weak, weird sensations, shaky, weakness or numbness in your extremities, getting tired when exercising, climbing stairs, walking across the floor, etc., than you did prior to your PM, let them know so they can make adjustments there too.

If you feel ANYTHING weird, uncomfortable, or just different that you felt before, let them know. There are a lot of adjustments to your settings that can be done to make you feel better. Right now, you're set at the settings that work best for "most" people. That doesn't work for a lot of people, so until you get things set right for you, you may have some weird or scary feelings. Just remember, things can be changed to make you feel better! If they make any adjustments to your settings and you feel worse after a PM check, let them know right away so they can change things back. Just knowing this will help you relax if things aren't feeling right.

As for the psychological part of it, I think it's just different for everyone. Some adjust right away, for others it takes a few weeks, for some, even more. I hated mine at first and wanted it out. I mean, I REALLY wanted mine out! Since I had an AV Node ablation with a CRT-P, I am 100% dependent and paced, so there was no turning it off. If you have heart block, you're probably in the same situation.

Things do get better, I promise! All of the sudden, you'll wake up one day, and you'll be like "Okay, I can do this!" Things just start falling into place. Just try to stay positive, keep asking questions on this site, and be glad you have your little device to take care of things for you. Soon, you'll learn to trust it and get back to normal. What you're feeling right now, is perfectly normal, I promise you.

Once you start feeling better, you start accepting things mentally. Right now, you have a lot to try and deal with mentally, and you're still healing inside and out. You also may still have new medication in your system that you're body isn't used to, from when you were in the hospital. If you're on pain meds, or meds that help you sleep, this can cause issues too. There are just a lot of things going on right now for you. But soon, very soon, you're going to feel normal again! I promise, promise, promise you!

Good luck, and make sure to mention everything you're feeling (both mentally and physically) to your doctor and/or PM tech at your appointment!






recovery

by Tracey_E - 2013-07-02 09:07:17

So glad you found us! It is often harder on us emotionally than physically, everything you are feeling is normal. Seeing it as a gift is a great first step. For me, as I healed and felt stronger, as I got back to activity, the rest fell into place. I learned to trust it, to not dwell on it. I rarely give it a thought now.

We are all different but most of us are back to regular activities but moving carefully by a week or two, fully active and not sore anywhere from 6 weeks to a couple of months. We all heal at different rates, surgeons can place it differently. Mine is buried pretty deep so it took 3 months until I could move any direction without feeling a twinge.

I was told no lifting over 20# or raising arm higher than shoulder level for 6 weeks.

I napped off and on for a month or so. If you're tired, don't fight it. It's a minor surgery, but it's still a shock to the body and takes time to adjust, to get the meds out of the system, for the heart to get used to beating normally again.

It's common to feel the faster rate, it becomes normal and you get used to it. You should not feel the pacing, the signal the pm puts out mimics what the heart should be doing on its own so it's very small. They often start it turned up higher than it needs to be until the leads settle in and the heart gets used to pacing, then at the first check they'll turn it down to the minimum voltage needed to get the heart to beat. The feeling may go away when they make that adjustment. Definitely mention that you feel it in your stomach when you have your appt.

Feeling in Stomach

by Minnesota - 2013-07-02 11:07:28

I got my PM 3 weeks ago. At times I feel the pacing in my stomach or rib cage area. It was quite startling when I first felt it . Sort of like a hiccup originating in the diaphragm area outward. (it reminded me of when i was pregnant and the baby kicked me in the ribs) As the others commented, it prob is the setting. It is often set higher at the initial implant and then can be adjusted at the follow up visit. This is to assure a good connection into the muscle. I did ask the pm tech at the hospital and called in to the nurse after returning home to ask if it was "normal". Both assured me it was ok to feel that with the initial implant. However, if it became constant, bothersome, etc.. I could see a doctor. I only feel it occasionally. It doesn't bother me but serves as a reminder that it's helping me out. I expect the tech will dial it down when I return for my 3 month check. Take care.

Grateful

by MM519 - 2013-07-04 03:07:22

Thank you all for taking the time to comment. It certainly made me feel more comfortable knowing there are others who felt like I do now. Thanks so much

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