Odd feeling

Had my pm installed oct 5th at ate 42,each day has been challenging. Thought id feel so much better. Was diagnosed with vvs in September with 2 positive ttt. Including flatlined on both. Anxiety is overwhelming and now panic attacks are more often. Im not set to see dr. Till nov 4th. How do I know my leads are working. Keep thinking the discomfort an twings are something wrong going on..please let me know your thoughts.

4 Comments

Why not you?

by Grateful Heart - 2015-10-18 03:10:43

It's hard to believe right now but it could be worse....much worse. We have a fix for our hearts....but it's the recovery that can take some time.

You just had surgery. Many like to think it is not a big deal....minor surgery?? When it is MY heart it is not minor to me. Having said that, what you are feeling is pretty typical. It's all new to you so it's scary.

You are going to have some discomfort, it's only been 2 weeks. Follow the directions of your Doctor and your leads should be fine. Your body will tell you if there is a problem. Maybe go out and take a walk or go have lunch with a friend. As you get back to what is normal, you will find you think about your device less.

Learning about your condition and device will help to ease your mind.

Welcome to the club. Ask any questions or concerns...we've all been there.

Grateful Heart

Odd Feeling

by Good Dog - 2015-10-18 03:10:49

It is normal to have some anxiety after your experience. You need to know that you are not alone. There are so many of us with similar experiences. It is normal to have some unusual pains and feelings you haven't experienced before. After all, this is a whole new situation you are in. However, as I said, it is normal and not something horrible. As time goes on, you'll find that you will feel better and you will learn to trust that you will be O.K.
I can tell you from experience though that this technology is amazing. You can trust it explicitly. It isn't new. It is reliable and will keep you going. I've had my PM for 30 years, so I can speak from experience.
Perhaps you need to ask your doctor for something to help you relax. It is good to keep your doctor abreast of how you are feeling. If your cardiologist can't help you with your anxiety, try your regular doc (GP).
You should try to find something to keep your mind occupied so that you can stop worrying so much. Try a movie, a book or some other pastime you enjoy. Try to stay positive.
If you have any questions or need a little support, there are lots of folks here (with experiences just like your's) that will be here for you.

Wishing you the best,

Dave

Good advice...

by BetsyQ - 2015-10-19 04:10:55

...from both GoodDog and Grateful Heart. This forum helped me so much when I got my pm three months ago. The first month I was miserable and worried over every twinge. It was 4 days in the hospital and a longer than predicted recovery, but I'm so glad I did it. Now, athough my incision can still bother me at times, for the most part I'm back to and better than, normal. Because normal for me turned out to be not so good. Hang in there. Ask questions here and k ow we're all pulling for you!

Same boat!

by dmryanAGNP - 2015-10-20 02:10:12

I'm in your boat too! I'm now 37 -- yesterday, my birthday present was the Medtronic PPM set on rate drop control. Specifically for exactly what you are going through, multiple pre syncopal/ syncopal episodes. My positive TTT lead me to 22 seconds asystole. SCARY stuff.

I am not typically an anxious person. BUT I can tell you that over the past few weeks since the implant my anxiety has been through the roof. Just the thoughts that race through your mind can drive you nuts. I'm so worried about just dropping dead and leaving behind my wife and 2 kids. HOWEVER, things are calming down, I feel like I'm getting used to my device, feeling more confident in what it's supposed to do.

I've had 2 pre-episodes of vaso-vagal that I was having before the implant where I would get the tingling sensation, where my blood pressure begins to drop, my HR starts to race, and then it just stops. The pacer recognized the drop and held my HR at 90bpm for 2 mins and then slowly brought me back to my intrinsic rate. So I know mine is working.

Your EP can get ahold of the pacer rep at any time and do a lead check for you. If your device is like mine, they said they would have to do multiple tweakings until it would be just right. I still feel it occasionally, but I'm getting used to it. I know it's gonna be a long road, but it is getting better, and the anxiety is mellowing down a bit. I agree with the above post, if you need something for the interim please ask you GP for something temporary and low dose.

Good Luck
You're not alone!

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It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.