I could use some advice pronto

• by luciam
• 2015-01-04 05:01:59
• Complications
• 1170 views
• 1 comments

I had my St. Jude pacemaker installed on 10/9/14. Since then I've had a horrible time. Despite 4 adjustments and my cardiologist deciding to turn off the rate response, I cannot walk more than a few feet without losing my breath and wanting to pass out. My legs feel like lead and it feels as if I can't catch a complete deep breath. It's been getting steadily worse and now I cannot go outside and walk for more than a few feet without this sensation.

I have a mild heart murmur and an ejection fraction of 77%. My lungs are clear with no wheezing but my legs are now swelling and I can't sleep at night because I have to be at 45 degree angle or I feel like I'm suffocating. The pulmonologist is stumped and so is my cardiologist. Two of his colleagues want me in cath lab even though I've had two echoes in two weeks with both being negative for heart failure or heart disease.

Has anyone, anywhere gone through something similar and how was it resolved. I'm just desperate. I've been on medical leave since October and my life is down the drain right now.

Thanks, everyone.