Happy New Year?

• by Spurdog
• 2018-01-01 16:07:08
• Complications
• 1395 views
• 3 comments

So 2017 was full of suprises.  In July I had several episodes where I blacked out for a few seconds.  A quick trip to the local ER and the medical professionals there determined my heart rate was in the low 30's and diagnosed me with symtomatic Bradycardia and ultimately Sick Sinus Syndrome.  After being told by the cardiologist, more specifically an electrophysiologist that I needed a pacemaker to correct the issue.  He went as far as to tell me that he would not be able to release me back to work or allow me to drive by state statute given my condition unless I had the device implanted.  So, at 49 years old and never having an issue with my heart I was somewhat confused at what I was beig told.  After more conversation with the doctor it seemed this could help me with some of the other issues I'd been having such as extreme fatigue and being tired all of the time.  The pacer was implanted near the end of July and for the following 2 weeks i did notice a markable improvement in my overall health.  That is not to say that I didn't experience my share of anxiety after the procedure but the overall good feeling I was having helped me get passed that.  Now for the complications....2 weeks after the device (a dual lead medtronic pacer only) was implanted I went to my new Cardiologist for a "pacer check".  The Medtronic tech promptly began doing her thing.  I remember her telling me she was going to activate my ventrical lead and that some patients experience some discomfort with this!  She wasn't kidding!  I felt like my heart was about to explode (all new sensation!)  She said "oops" whatever that meant and promptly finished the check.  Immediately after that day I began experienceing chest pains.  It felt like someone had my heart in their hand and just squeezed it every five minutes or so.  After a couple days of this I called the cardiologists office and was told to go to the ER.  Went through all the typical tests and got to spend the night just to learn there was nothing wrong.  When I told the cardiologist about what happened in his office he promptly told me the tech cannot do anything to permanetly damage my heart (really?).  Over the next couple of weeks there were several adjustments made to my device.  the chest pains became more bearable but now I find myself short of breath.  Sometimes, my heart beats so hard it moves my shirt, heartburn is more frequent, the chest pains come and go.  Since then, I am back to having the constant tiredness and fatigue, struggle to breathe at times and the doctor just keeps telling me that the pacer is working properly.  He's ordered a pulmonary function test (normal), an echocardiogram (normal) and a CT of the chest to rule out a blood clot (normal).  The pacer may be functioning properly but I'm not!  I'm not depressed, I'm pissed!  Other than being tired alot, I had NO other problems prior to the pacemaker.  I'm looking for another elctrophysiologist to review my records and give me a second opinion.  Hopefully, 2018 will be a Happy New Year!