Pulse

depends

by Tracey_E - 2021-03-28 09:14:10

What you are probably feeling is the faster heart beat rather than the signal itself. The signal it sends is miniscule, mimicking the signal the heart would send if it was working properly. It can take some time to get used to it. That said, they often start it high then turn in down in a few weeks once we've healed. 

Pulse signal

by Theknotguy - 2021-03-28 11:20:40

TraceyE gives out consistently good information.  You will want to listen to what she says. Having said that, there are a very few (and I mean a very tiny number of people) who can feel the electrical pulse.  As TraceyE said, you probably are feeling the effects which takes a little while to adjust to.  

Right after I had my pacemaker implant I would occasionally feel the electrical tickle followed by the hard thump of stimulated heartbeat.  It would sometimes wake me up at night.  Reason for it is they have the voltage set a little higher at first to get the heart accustomed to the pacemaker.  

At my 30 day checkup they reduced the voltage and I've never felt it since.  I can feel the effects of the stimulated heartbeat but I don't feel the starting impulse.  If it really bothers you, you can ask them to reduce the voltage but by the time they get around to doing it, it will probably be time for your 30 day checkup anyway.  You won't notice a difference when they lower the voltage. Everything will go on as before.  

Otherwise, I hope your adjustment to your pacemaker goes well.
 

Feeling the pace

by AgentX86 - 2021-03-28 23:05:41

There two other possibilities.  Sometimes the leads go too close to the diaphragm and leakage "paces" the diaphram.  More likely, it's just going to take your heart a little while to get used to being paced.   It's quite normal  for weird things to happen for the first days or weeks,  If it doesn't clear up by itself, report it to your EP at your next appointment and they'll see what they can do to fix it. 

It takes a while for the heart to get used to being paced so the voltage has to be set higher than normal to make sure it does.   As Tracy noted, durning your first visit, they'll likely find out where your capture threshold is and set the pacing voltage accordingly.  If it's  diaphragm pacing or feeling pacing "shocks" this will probably fix it.  If it doesn't keep after your EP until he does fix it.

Feeling a pulse signal

by Selwyn - 2021-03-29 06:11:44

After pacemaker insertion there is a period of anxiety and increased awareness of body sensations. 

This greater awareness is more likely to be noticed when there is no distractions, such as lying at rest.  

It does not mean that there is anything wrong, though you will note the comments made by others.

As an example of what I am talking about, I could feel the pulse in my big toe after PM insertion. I remember asking the doctor why this should be. He had no answer. 

Given a bit of time and the realisation that life can continue as normal, a lot of the symptoms settle. 

Update

by Majorl - 2021-04-01 15:38:26

Saw my cardiologist and one of the leads has dropped so they have to go back in and re position it.  Tracey was correct the pulse was from the heart not the pacemaker itself.  This happens about 1 percent of the time but I'm glad it can be fixed.  Thanks for the comments from everyone