First outing alone

Sounds like progress Maggie

by Gemita - 2021-05-08 11:45:28

I think you have answered the question yourself.  You were anxious when you were away from home but when you returned, everything felt normal again.  A combination of exertion and anxiety probably pushed your heart rate up, causing you to feel hot and clammy.  

I feel this is still early days and your heart is settling down.  I remember it happened to me too. The first couple of weeks I kept noticing speeding and slowing of my heart.  When I went back to my clinic at 6 weeks, they made a few pacemaker setting changes.  

At what point do you get it checked out?  Whenever you feel your symptoms are difficult to tolerate, for example, if you experience chest pain, unusual dizziness, breathlessness, weakness, serious fatigue or any other troublesome symptom (like palpitations, feeling hot or clammy), all or one of these symptoms if they are new or worrying you, would be reason to consult a doctor.  Only you can answer this Maggie.  All we can do is to try to reassure you that it might be perfectly normal 16 days after implant, but none of us can possibly know "how you feel"?  Go by how you feel and listen to your body and you won't go wrong.

On Monday, I would have a word with your doctors.  Perhaps send them a pacemaker transmission for analysis.  Keep a diary note of time and date from now on of any symptoms that worry you.  They can then look at your downloads to see whether your heart rate/rhythm is normal and check for any other concerning signs.  You are certainly not making a fuss and I feel confident that you will be fine

anxiety

by athena123 - 2021-05-08 14:56:02

Hi Maggie, its perfectly ok the way your feeling. Sounds if your experiencing anxiety, because you like most others who just had implanted are very aware their implants and anxiety starts to kick in. It gets much better as time goes on , trust me. I was just like you and couldnt stop thinking about it. I still have anxiety but this site is wonderful for feedback. Try to keep yourself busy like taking a walk or some kind of exercise which helps me, something that will keep your mind occupied. You'll be fine, just take it one day. Best wishes   

Normal

by Theknotguy - 2021-05-09 10:50:00

Maggie:

The first few months with a pacemaker are the hardest so your feelings are normal.  You have all sorts of thumps and bumps and you don't know what to pay attention to and what to ignore.  I can't tell you how many times I'd have a thump or bump and think, "OK, is this the big one?"  Really stressful.  And of course, you have all sorts of information to work through, some of which is pure garbage but you don't know it at the time.  And, as you know (hot and clammy) your body is reacting to the situation and you don't know if that's a problem or just something to ignore.  I think it was nine months before I got out of my car and walked across the parking lot without thinking about my pacemaker. Felt strange at the time.

So, what did I do.  I just concentrated on getting through one day at a time.  I refused to borrow trouble or go into the "what if" scenarios that went through my head.  Drank water, exercised, and tried to concentrate on positive things.  Didn't always work, but you've got to praise progress.  As for the hot and clammy - I'd get these weird night sweats.  I'd finally fall into a deep sleep, then wake up soaked in sweat.  Doctor didn't see anything wrong with it and I finally figured out I was accustomed to a not very good heart rate and was piling on too many covers. So much for a bad reaction.  But I still had to learn that.  

Eventually you'll settle down, learn which thump and bumps need your attention, figure out what information is garbage, and go on with your life.  Even though I review the forum a lot, there are still days and days that I don't even think about my pacemaker.  Since I've got two programs for afib running, I'll even get into arguments with it although I haven't won an argument yet.  At going on seven years out I'm very comfortable with the situation.  

Continue asking questions on the forum.  That's how you learn.  Eventually you'll be one of the old-timers. saying, "Yep, been there, done that.  Got the t-shirt and the hat."  

Hope everything continues to go well with your pacemaker adjustment.