Peripheral neuropathy like symptoms after PM

Hi Everyone!

I received my PM in October 2017, I’m bradycardia and the pm has been a Godsend. However, shortly after my implant I started experiencing numbness on the soles of my feet, which has evolved into pretty severe burning sensation all over my feet and lower legs. It mimics peripheral neuropathy. I’ve now been tested for a wide array of sinister possible causes but so far we have been unable to dx my problem. 

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms?  I’m now suspecting low oxygen levels could be the cause. I’m not certain I’m breathing aggressively enough to keep up with my heart rate. Thoughts?

Pulling for you all!!


4 Comments

Puzzling

by Bionic Beat - 2018-06-13 01:11:09

I think breathing and heart rate are usually not something we think about, we just do it.

If your O2 levels are okay and your pacer has been checked, it really should not have any link to peripheral neuropathy and the resultant pain.

Have you had nerve conduction studies of your legs/feet?  Hands/arms?

You could have both peripheral neuropathy and a pacemaker but it would be a coincidence if they both happened at the same time. IMO

Its miserable pain though.  Maybe get some gabapentin and cut your sugar levels way back to approx 24 gms per day.  The neuropathy might clear up if you can get an A1C lower than 6.0.

Best Wishes,

 

Bionic Beat

 

Thanks BB!

by jp - 2018-06-13 01:24:24

Thanks for your response BB. I have had nerve conduction tests of my feet and lower legs. The neurologist reported mild neuropathy and finally determined I don’t have neuropathy. She just didn’t find enough nerve damage. The symptoms ebb during a 24 hour day. Usually only intermittent during the day, flaring up when I sit down to dinner and then head to bed. Sleeping can be awful. The neuro prescribed Gabapentin, but after trying it for 60 days I’ve weaned myself off of it. I just don’t want to be dependent on drugs if at all possible. Id like to find the cause, rather than fall into the trap of treating symptoms. 

I stop breathing often. I’m exploring Central Sleep Apnea now. It should be autonomic, I agree. But something it’s screwing up my nervous system. And it is coincidental I got the pm at the same time. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Nervous system changes

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-13 12:26:04

Just because two things happen at the same time, it doesn't mean one caused the other. For instance, a pot boils over at the same moment that the doorbell rings. The lights go out at the same moment that you sneeze.

There's no way that getting a pacemaker brought on some sort of nervous system disorder.

The sad fact is that having a pacemaker doesn't innoculate us against anything. We can have a pacemaker and still have all the other ills that flesh is heir to.  You don't give us your age but the other sad fact is that both needing a pacemaker and having merve issues are related to getting older. Think about the number of old people who have shaky hands.

I hope you can find some relief soon. BB's suggestions are good. Anything that reduces inflammation is good for your whole body. You might also want to look at any medications you are on. When I was younger I could take both Zofran and dextromethophfan, commonly prescribed anti-nausea and cough medicine.  But these days they both give me weird CNS symptoms.

Causes

by Bionic Beat - 2018-06-15 15:54:36

Hi,

Yes, peripheral neuropathy does exactly what you descibed.  Gets worse at night and makes sleeping darned near impossible.

Most neuropathies are called idiopathic, meaning they dont know the cause of it.

Diabetes or pre-diabetes is one known cause, thats why I suggested cutting OUT sugars to almost none at all.  It does help decrease the pain and any other symptoms.

Gabapentin is the drug of choice and I know you dont want to be on drugs but to find the 'reason'.  

Sometimes we just have to accept whatever is hand is dealt and take the pills to make life bearable.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Bionic Beat

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