Fatigue

Less Energy

by PV Gringo - 2018-01-08 23:25:52

I understand what you're saying, but my point was that numerous members have reported problems, and they are the ones I was querying. The fact that most people do not have problems is not at issue. I would like to reach the ones who do.

less energy

by tobydell - 2018-01-09 13:32:49

i am getting to the end of my first week with a crt device and here in the uk it is cold damp and dark, energy sapping to the max so i can not comment realistically, however i have some regular walks close to home, the first involves two flights of steps up to our canal, before the pm, i would stop at least once on the way up the steps sometimes twice, wondering why i was putting myself through the stress, in the last 6 days i have gone up the steps twice, both on cold days but i am glad to say without stopping for a rest halfway, a definite  improvement, so yes as far as i sm concerned it is working to my benefit, staples out tomorrow

More energy?

by Gotrhythm - 2018-01-11 15:33:31

As you have already noticed, your problem is not exactly rare. Nor is it rare to have one's complaints dismissed. The one that ticks me off the most is, "Your pacemaker is working fine."

That only means it's working the way it is programmed to. It doesn't mean it has been programmmed to work in a way that is optimal for you. Many people do well with out of the box settings, but others might need several adjustments before the settings are right.

It's also possible that your settings are ideal, and something else is going on. Either way, the problem should be addressed.

Here's what I learned when I knew my pacemaker wasn't right but could get no one to listen.

1. Be proactive. Get a copy of your interrogation report. Study it. Learn what your settings are and what they mean. Someone here can help you interpret it.

2. Go back and ask for changes. Very simple changes like raising or lowering the base rate can make a huge difference to how you feel, as can a change in the response rate. Put your requests for change in the form of a question, i.e. "Do you think if we try raising my base rate from 60 to 65 I might feel more energetic?"

3. If they truly don't seem willing or able to address your issues, go somewhere else. I found out that if they can't or don't help me in a few visits, continuing to go back won't help either them or me and will only cause frustration for both of us. 

4. If the place you live offers few choices in electrophysiologists ( the kind of cardiologist you should be seeing), go to a major medical teaching hospital, even if you have to travel. It's your life. Don't settle for feeling rotten.

Fortunately for me, Duke is not far away. There they were able to figure out my pacemaker and change my settings so that it works better for me. The also did tests to make sure there weren't other problems.  And yes, with the right settings I have more energy. I know now that the pacemaker is truly helping me.

More Energy?

by PV Gringo - 2018-01-11 21:59:59

Thank you, Gotrhythm. That's exactly the kind of information and advice I was hoping to find. I had considered looking for an electrophysiologist, but I wasn't certain that was a useful approach. I only came across the term recently, so I don't know that much about the specialty. 

Less Energy & More Energy ?

by sayoink - 2018-01-13 02:23:38

I really liked what Gotrythum say, I had no energy after my pacemaker in May, 2017, I was so use to doing lots of things, like take care of my 3 acres, ride horses, clean up after them, this is all done with a wheelbarrow and rake or shovel no tractor, mow the lawn with a gas mower that you have to push.  I did all this before the pacemaker, but after pacer I could hardly go out an feed I would be exhausted. I was getting depressed cause I couldn't do things that I use to do.  I live in a very small town (160 people) even the closest town is small, the cardiologist are hundreds of miles away. I had to be flown to a much larger hospital that had the cardiologist that could put in my pacemaker, they set mine 60 130,  I decided to go to another cardiologist which was in December 2017 they raised the high number to 140,  They suggested for me to keep track of my pulse, which I never did before so I really didn't know what my pulse was, it was kinda high when I went to the doctor but I just figured nerves, when I would walk or do stuff I figured I was just out of shape and just needed to push it to get in better shape. The doctors suggested the Oximeter to keep track of my pulse, it works good but it goes on your finger it can slip and read blank or reading can be up on down, I do like it as long as you don't swing your hand around alot.  I have also bought many different fitness trackers ones that go on your chest and cheap ones on your wrist.  The one I just got and I like it the best is Fitbit Alta HR, it has some thing to get use to like the screen goes dark and to view you have to rotate your wrist. I put the Oximeter on my finger and the Fitbit on and compared while riding my stationary bike and it was right on, most of the time maybe one higher or lower at times. I am feeling a lot better now with more energy, don't know if it is the 140 increase or me keeping track of my pulse. I  hope this gives you some help or things to try.  I am going to check into a electrophysiologists too. just to make sure that soming else is not going on. 

Question to Sayoink

by PV Gringo - 2018-01-14 13:19:24

I don't understand how keeping track of your pulse would increase your energy. I presume you didn't track your pulse prior to getting a pacemaker; yet you apparently had lots of energy. So how does tracking your pulse now make a difference? What happens when you track your pulse? Do you alter your behavior as a result? How exactly does this work? Thanks.