Slowly returning to running

Slowly returning to running

by Colombo - 2016-07-23 16:31:23

Hello Sid and Dory,

Dory, I too received a pm just over two weeks ago and have had the same issue of hr over-response to exercise. I am 48 and have always been a runner and active person. I called my cardiologist this morning. He is going to have my respiration/ foot strike/ movement response re-set so that it is less sensitive. I will go in Monday morning. He also mentioned that because the pm was recently implanted (7/7/16) the pocket and associated nerve bundles are nowhere near healed. The pm is still moving relatively freely. This can cause the algorithm to respond to movement that may be unrelated to your actual exercise. 

Sid wrote a previous post today regarding chest discomfort/heaviness. I have noticed this intermittently as well. I started to walk 3+ Brisk miles at a time after one week. My lymph nodes and area around the pm became swollen. The whole area became heavy and sore.  I know we are all so ready to get back out there, but our bodies have just undergone a bit of trauma related to a pretty significant organ. We may need the full 6 weeks to recouperate before we push it (I'm mostly trying to remind myself!). The overall consensus appears to be that we should wait 6 weeks before resuming strenuous exercise. Sid, I know that you weren't engaging in strenuous exercise but you aren't even a week in.  Be kind to yourself :)  

Finally, my cardiologist said that it often takes a few adjustments to the rate response algorithm before things feel great. Don't hesitate to ask your electro physiologists about this, if you haven't already. 

Sid and Dory, Good luck to both of you!  

Colombo

overdoing it too soon after PM inplant

by Cardiac Man - 2016-07-23 23:20:13

Columbo:  I really appreciate your response - I'm really hopeful that all I did was try to do too much too soon.  I hadn't walked a mile on the road in over 5 years and had been reduced to a light treadmill 30 min program since plus resistance exercise.  I'm hoping that all I have to do is take it easy for a while and then start back slowly - perhaps on the old treadmill.  I shall mention the rate response algorithm  business to my EP this week.  Thanks, Sid.

overdoing it too soon

by Colombo - 2016-07-24 00:40:50

Sid,

You bet! All the best  

Great advice

by Dory - 2016-07-24 04:14:53

Hi Colombo, I had my PM on the 7/7/2016 too! Thanks so much for your reply and sound advice. You are spot on when you mention we can be in such a hurry to return to what we love doing. As I start feeling a little stronger I try and push a little but I think I just need to stick with walking and enjoying getting stronger without any health repercussions or set backs. It was really interesting to read your message regarding respiration/foot strike/ movement response. Many of the discussions regarding settings of the PM are all very new and unfamiliar to me. I think there will be plenty of little tweaks regarding my settings before I am back to my usual levels of activity. Until then I will take your advice on board, and let the 6 weeks run its course. Thanks once again ,your response has been very supportive. I hope your recovery is going well too. 

Hi

by Ronaldo - 2016-07-26 15:54:30

This sounds like a classic case of rate response switched on. Checkout posts that talk about rate response. I insisted mine was turned off and problem solved.

Hi

by Ronaldo - 2016-07-26 15:54:42

This sounds like a classic case of rate response switched on. Checkout posts that talk about rate response. I insisted mine was turned off and problem solved.

cardiologist follow up

by Dory - 2016-07-27 03:53:05

Hi Ronaldo, I went and saw my cardiologist for a check up today and yes you were spot on-it was the rate response but apparently it cant be switched off because it needs to be on for another setting that will allow me to continue to do the endurance distance sport. The medtronic rep and the Dr were talking about different settings and algorithms. They have reduced the movement sensitivity so I will don my trainers on tomorrow and see what happens. If it doesnt settle down then the next step is to see what happens on the treadmill. Thanks everyone for your advice!

Rate respons'm

by Colombo - 2016-07-29 00:46:01

Hi Dory and Sid, (et al)

I returned to the cardiologist on Monday and was very fortunate to have my rate response turned off. My symptoms have completely resolved. Luckily my only problem is bradycardia and the data showed that the rate response was not necessary in my case. Interestingly, both my cardiologist (E.P) and his physician's assistant both wanted me to keep it on to see how I responded to it.  I'm a scientist and appreciate gathering data but I don't want to have anything affecting my heart if it isn't helping me.  It was the Boston Scientific representative who was adjusting my pm who said, "The data shows that you do not need the rate response". I had been responding appropriately on my own. The rate response was over-responding to my horizontal movement making my heart rate increase inappropriately. It was very uncomfortable. Now that it is off, I feel fine. 

Those who do need the rate response algorithm may need several adjustments before they feel good. But in my case, I was fortunate that the rep gave me the option to turn it off. Why fix it if it ain't broke? 

I'm still chomping at the bit (wanting to start exercising hard again) but I'm happy to just be more comfortable and will be a good girl for three more weeks 😀.

I wish you all the best!

First 3 km run

by Dory - 2016-07-30 05:53:36

With the new sensitivity adjustments made by the EP on Wednesday,  I thought I'd  tried out a little 3 km run a trial the other morning. A little slower than normal of course but the new adjustments proved to work really well. I was so happy afterwards. Now I know these settings are ok I am settling into the recovery phase a little easier and not feeling as though I need to test out anything more until the recovery phase is over. Hang in there Colombo it won't be  too much longer before we can start doing what we enjoy!

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions