9 days post-surgery

I had my PM put in 9 days ago. I recently turned 40 and never dreamed I would need a PM at this stage in my life, but ended up in the ER with Total Heartblock and after 5-days of testing agreed to the PM. I was told I would have more energy, instead, I have none. Since the surgery, I feel like I only get energy in two-hour increments, then I am exhausted and need to lie down. Is this normal? I also had dizzy spells which when I called my surgeon about, he told me I shouldn't worry about. Should I worry about the dizziness and exhaustion or is it all normal?
I am so grateful for any feedback.

4 Comments

Could be settings of PM

by JerryG - 2014-03-03 06:03:19

There are no 'universal' settings for PM's; every person is unique and will need personalized settings on their PM. The doctor doing the implant will most likely have the PM set at his 'best guess' settings (very often conservative). The settings can then be changed at the next follow-up visit.

I am now 6 months post implant. I was very lucky that despite my cardio being very conservative, my initial settings weren't too bad. Immediately post implant I felt at least 30 years younger than my 66 years! I was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome which among other things caused severe bradycardia at times. At implant my PM was set not to let my heart go below 60bpm. which was a lot better than some of the bradycardia episodes when my heart rate went down below 30bpm.

I first realised my settings weren't right when I started working out again 3 weeks post implant. I had problems with sudden drop in heart rate during exercise with resulting shortness of breath and difficulty carrying on with the workout. Phoned my cardio and he asked me to come back at my convenience to have my settings adjusted (he knows how difficult it can be to get flights out of here). Flights weren't a problem for a change and I got back to the cardio with the Medtronic technician in attendance. Analysis of my settings showed my maximum heart rate was set too low hence the rate drop and also that rate response was turned off. Technician upped my maximum paced heart rate, turned rate response on and things improved immediately.

Settings are still not quite right. My rate response is working but is 'lazy' needing its sensitivity tweaked a bit. I see my cardio again on Monday 10th and hopefully this time the Medtronic tech will get the tweaks right. I still generally feel pretty good and get through my daily workout (at around 65% of my calculated maximum heart rate) without too much difficulty.

I suggest you take it easy until you can get back to the guys that implanted your PM and have them adjust as necessary. I would do whatever is necessary to get to your doctors asap and have those settings checked.

Good luck.

JerryG

9 days isnt long

by ohiolaura - 2014-03-03 08:03:45

Give yourself more time to adjust,you went thru major medical stuff,and as said prior you probably need your settings adjusted.
I was 49,and it took me longer than I wanted it to before I got back on my game,I was tired,very anxious,and didn't know much of anything that had happened and would happen to me now.
You will get there,hard to see now,trust me,it will happen.This is a lot to go thru,handle and so on......probably need a setting or two adjusted,I did too,and it made a huge difference,Ive been moving forward since.
Give yourself a break,keep asking questions,and call your Dr if you feel the need,you have to be your own advocate.
Laura

You probably need a tweak

by KAG - 2014-03-03 10:03:21

You didn't say if you have any other issues, but if you only have AV block then the PM is made to fix that. The main setting is the Upper Track rate. That's how high the HR is allowed to go (your heart's sinus node sets the pace). If UTR is set to low when your sinus node gets up to the upper rate the PM does what it's suppose to do and cuts the HR in half and you'll probably feel like X#@T. It's a protection to keep your HR from going to high. Many Dr's aren't used to dealing with active people and they set this to low. It's an easy tweak to raise it.

If your sinus node has issues then Rate Response comes into play. RR takes over for your sinus node and sets the HR. If your sinus node is working OK then you don't want RR turned On as it can conflict with your sinus node. Your PM mode will tell you if RR is On or Off (Mode DDD (RR Off) vs DDDR (RR ON)).

Get a copy of your PM interrogation report. It has all your device settings and modes. You can reference the data here and ask questions.

3 weeks and just starting feeling better

by pilarnusa - 2014-03-05 12:03:07

JHPM

I joined this club not long ago with same concerns actually a week or so after my implant. after 3 weeks now things starting to get better, still some adjustments to make, but overall i feel more energetic and week one or even week 2, some of the old members told me it takes time to adjust and I am passing it on to you now.
Give yourself time to heal, things will get better.
best

Pilar

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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