New Pacemaker

feeling better

by Lesleybird22 - 2020-10-05 15:56:27

Hi, things will take time. You have been unwell so expect a recovery time and to adjust to new life! Take care

It took 3 months for my heart to settle down

by Gemita - 2020-10-05 16:35:14

Hello PDoug,

I know we all expect miracles at first, but life isn't quite like that is it.

The pacemaker and settings is one area that can be controlled by your clinic but AF (atrial fibrillation) has a mind and a will of its own and may take longer to firmly control.  As an AF patient I know how this rhythm disturbance can make us feel.  I would say get your AF under control and you will feel immediately better.

My pacemaker by maintaining a steady, higher rate (70 bpm) often helps me to stay in normal sinus rhythm, whereas before when my heart rate dropped to very low levels 30-40s bpm, I noticed an increase in all arrhythmias including AF.  Hopefully your pacemaker will help you too although it certainly is not a cure for AF as you will know.  I have tachy/brady syndrome and got my pacemaker due to this plus pausing and intermittent syncope.  I wish you well

Recovery

by AgentX86 - 2020-10-05 17:33:08

Gemita is right.  Give it some time but don't let that be an excuse to lay around.  If you just can't do something, don't.  Pushing yourself a little will probably help. 

I had highly symptomatic Aflutter and permanent Aflutter along with tachy/Brady.  I was so miserable, after I tried everything else (and the everything damaged my sinus node) I did the ablate and pace thing.  I felt 100% (I would say 200% if it were possible) better immediately.  The big difference is the ablation.  That burried the flutter symptoms permanently (but at a high cost).

I don't know where I saw it but about 1/3 of the PM recipients feel much better immediatly.  It takes three to six months for another third to get back to "normal' and a third don't.  Most of the difference is the underlying condition and, frankly, some no small part is the attitude of the individual.  No, I'm certainly not saying that this is your fate, just that attitude makes a big difference in all scenarios.

The three P's

by Gotrhythm - 2020-10-06 16:18:12

Attitude, as AgentX says, is important. But sometimes in assing improvement after a procedure, the signal, improved cardiac function is lost in the noise, pain from the surgery, fear of not getting better etc.

Have you asked the opinion of someone who knows you, ideally a woman, if they think you are better? Often, the signs of improvement are subtle, and more lkely to be noticed by someone looking at you from outside.

In addition to time, the right pacemaker settings can also make a  big difference in how you feel. Right now, your pacemaker is probably still on the one-size-fits-all settings that the pacemaker comes with. Ususally, doctors don't want to make significant changes in settings before you are completely healed up, so you might need to be patient for a few more weeks. But the doctor won't know the settings need to be optimised unless you say how you are feeling.

It's less than a month since you surgery. My advice is be positive, be patient, and be proactive.

Hope you start feeling better soon.