Appointment questions

I was waylayed headed south in January. I thought I was having a stroke and told hubby I needed to see a doctor. Emergency room found that my heart was beating in the 30 range. I was transfered by ambulance to a larger hospital and had a Medtronic Sensia pacemaker installed. There was a problem with the readings right after surgery and the rep had to come back to fix it. Went back home for a few weeks, found a heart doctor closer to home. He checked me and said the pacemaker was operating about 97% and that I could continue on my trip. A week later in Death Valley (sounds ominous) I had the same lightheadedness that put me in the hospital the first time. I was drinking plenty of fluids so I wasn't dehydrated. My hubby got a medic and after checking me they called a helicopter to airlift me to Las Vegas. I didn't want to go but it wasn't an option. The hospital suspected a blood clot but couldn't find anything wrong. The pm was checked and I was told it was at 100%. The guy "played" with the settings and told me I would feel faint, I did, but didn't feel anything when he set them the other way. He went to check with the docter but didn't come back to tell me anything. They kept me most of the day and the only problem I ended up with was that the IV that was disconnected when I went for a test wasn't hooked back up and with no water or food I ended up so dehydrated that my veins collapsed. They couldn't draw blood and had difficulty getting an IV to work. Released about an hour later with a bottle of water. No diagnosis, no recommendation. I guess "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". I continued the trip without problems other than slight light headed spells. I still have them but not as bad.
I have a doctor appointment on Monday and I want to ask the right kind of questions but don't know enough about what is going on to even know where to start. The pm implant was a total surprise. I was so out of it when it was put in I didn't ask questions. Then I was released the day after surgery.The doctor I saw at home came highly recommended but doesn't know me yet. We had a "meet the doctor" appointment and although I think we will get on fine I wish he had been my dr before and done the pm so he could tell me why I needed it. I'm rambling, sorry. I read the posts here. Most of it is greek. I did find the abbreviation guide, it helps. Someone recently gave a wonderful answer that recommended animation about the heart. I have found most of my general questions answered here...but I wish I knew how to phrase the technical questions.

2 Comments

Ask the questions

by Theknotguy - 2015-04-30 08:04:44

A lot of us were taken by surprise when we got our PM's so you are not alone in that category. It's what you do after you have the PM that counts. Several questions for your doctor come to mind.

What do I have? - I still haven't gotten an adequate answer on that, sometimes you're writing the book as you go along and you don't fit the mold. But, getting an idea of what heart condition you have will help.

What can I expect in the future? What will your heart condition do as you age?

What can I do to help myself?

You'll see that a lot of us keep moving, doing things. We don't sit around whining about our lives. It's a big world out there and it's best to enjoy it.

The PM, in an of itself, shouldn't be a hindrance on your life. I'm back to above 100% of what I was doing prior to having the PM. The fact that I have this lump of metal next to my shoulder on my left side doesn't slow me down a bit. If anything it's a big help and I'm very grateful to have it.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about PM's. Some of it comes from the medical industry which should know better but doesn't. So it's a good idea to check with the people on this forum about questions you have. We're living with the devices 24/7 so we have firsthand knowledge and will give you straight answers.

For the most part, you can get on with your life. That's after the 4-6 week healing period. Like I said, it's a big world out there. Now you have this mechanical device which will help you enjoy it.

My best wishes go out for you. Hope everything continues to go smoothly.

Follow up

by sewblessed - 2015-05-06 11:05:04

I had my appointment Monday and did get my questions answered but was surprised that the pm wasn't checked, my heart wasn't even listened to even though I expressed concern about being lighthead and breathless. He did show me a graph indicating how much the pacemaker is working that was from my February 5th appointment. I tried to find online how often the pm is checked but there is a variety of answers. My surgery was January 10th. I saw the surgeon a week after that to remove bandage and the pm was checked. At that time the surgeon/doctor said I would have my next check in 3 months. (He is a good doctor but too far away for comfort.) I got a cardiologist closer to home and had a meet/greet appointment February 5th. The pm was checked by the nurse and an appointent was scheduled for May 4th. I thougt the pm would be checked and I would be able to go over the results with the doctor but evidently it was just to go over the results of the last check over 2 months ago. Does that seem odd to anyone else?The L.V. emergency room checked the pm February 14th but I didn't get a report. Anyway I was a little diappointed that there was no check now that I am healed and have had the pacemaker for a while.

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.