Pacemaker Event Sensations

Hi--I just had a Medtronic PM implanted in late Feb just in advance of the world changing due to COVID 19.  Initially, I was feeling various sensations that I assumed were normal for a new implant.  But now, I am experiencing a "jolt" like sensation every morning at 2:00am.  The time doiesn't vary--always exactly 2:00am.  I called Medtronic and a tech said that their device is programmed to diagnose certain aspects of the PM performance at 2:15am daily and that maybe my PM clock is off.  Whatever, the bigger issue is that the jolt is enough to wake me up and, recently, prevent me from going to sleep at all because I'm anticipating the event.  I got in to the cardiologist's office within a couple of days and he had never heard of this kind of complaint.  He called Medtronic and the person he talked to also had never heard of this complaint.despite my informing him of my previous conversation with his company.

Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?  My lack of sleep is starting to be an issue!

Thanks in advance

10 Comments

Yes!

by arent80 - 2020-04-11 01:08:18

Hello!

I experience the same but it's not a jolt. It starts palpitations that last about 30 seconds. The tech said it's a daily check but just like yours mine is about 15 mins off as well. It's set for 9am and it happens between 8:43-8:45am everyday. I would go see your Cardiologist just to be sure but if it is this auto check just get some sleep. You may just be really sensitive to it. All the best!

Alejandro 

Another Yes

by IAN MC - 2020-04-11 05:05:54

My Medtronic pm was set to self-test at 11.30pm and  the sensation used to arouse me back into consciousness just as I was falling asleep.

I had a word with my cardiologist / EP who immediately identified the cause and asked the technician to turn off the self-test feature. This solved the problem.

 They will only turn it off if they are totally satisfied with your PM settings and you are symptom-free ; otherwise they should simply change the time of day when the self-test is carried out.

Best of luck

Ian

Pacemaker Event Sensations

by whale - 2020-04-11 16:12:49

Thanks to both Alejandro and Ian for your help.  If changes can be made to the time the PM does it's self check, then I will be very happy!  This 2:00am wakeup call is getting very old!.  I'll get back with the company on Monday and ask  them to get send cardiologist what he needs to reprogram the internal clock to a more civilized time!

thanks again

Bill

I didn't know this.

by Graham M - 2020-04-11 18:07:15

Thanks for everyone's comments on this subject.  I, too have a Medtronic PM and wake up, with palpitations, regularly at about 2.30 am.  I can usually get back to sleep again, but it's very annoying.

Graham.

 

Pacemaker check

by Lisarose - 2020-05-07 23:50:39

Hello, 

yes, you can get your pacemaker tech to set the daily check at a better hour - like during the day ☺️
take care

Lisa

THANK YOU

by margmac - 2020-05-17 16:58:27

I am so happy to have found this post. Every night at 2:45 for about 2 minutes I feel what I describe as a thumping near the pacemaker site. I have had a pacemaker for over 20 years but with this newest one implanted 3/11/2020 it is the 1st one with the home communicator and self test feature. I had no idea what was happening. 

Thank you so much everyone. I thought I was going crazy :) It is such a relief to know this is normal. I also will be asking to have it set to a different time. 

 

Thank You Also

by Skeetman - 2020-05-26 16:13:57

Waiting to recieve my home monitor and was unaware of the night check.  When I get hooked up I will speak to the Representative.

Question: Night time disruption

by margmac - 2020-06-02 12:06:12

As I commented earlier in this feed every night I am disturbed by a 'thumping' near the pacemaker sight from 2:44 AM to 2:48 AM. I guessed it was the nightly check and hoped it could be adjusted at the pacemaker clinic. I had my check-up and adjustments made 5/27/2020. This disruption to my sleep continues. I was told the auto check feature was turned off so now I have no idea what could be causing this thumping. Even though I know it is going to happen it still is very disconcerting. 

 Any help, ideas or advice is very much appreciated. 

THANK YOU

Pacemaker Event Sensations

by whale - 2020-06-02 16:10:21

Hello--sorry to hear you are still experiencing palpitations or thumps in the middle of the night.  In my case, I went weeks without a decent nighs sleep until the tech met me at the doctor's office and turned off the self test.  Mine is working fine now with no more early AM wakeup calls!  As I mentioned, I called Medtronic and asked to speak to a technician.  I recall him mentioning that more than one self diagnostic test occurs with these PM's. Maybe some other function is at play with yours.  I would call them back until they fix it!

Good Luck

Bill 

THANK YOU

by margmac - 2020-06-03 10:35:44

Thank you Bill. It is encouraging to know that your issue was corrected. I will continue to follow-up. I have never had to contact Medtronic in 20 years but I guess the time is now. 

Thank you again. Take care and be well.

Marg 

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