Pacemaker ticking

ticking

by new to pace.... - 2022-10-19 16:11:49

You might try sleeping on your right side for a while  and see if the ticking stops.  I never hear mine make any noises at all.  

new to pace

You shouldn't hear any sounds coming from your pacemaker

by Gemita - 2022-10-19 16:18:36

Debbie, hello.  Many of us struggle at first to sleep on the same side as the pacemaker implant.  It may feel more comfortable to sleep on your back or on the opposite side. It took a few months for me to have a comfortable night's sleep which is so important for our recovery.  I placed a cushion on the left side to support the weight of the device and that helped until the wound was well healed and my pacemaker felt more secure.

Ticking?  You shouldn't really hear any sounds coming from your pacemaker;   perhaps you might be feeling "sensations" coming from the diaphragm area or in your chest because they generally leave lead settings set slightly higher until the leads are well embedded into heart tissue and this may cause some vibration.  At 6 weeks my settings were adjusted and these sensations were less noticeable.

When do you go back to clinic, Debbie?  If you haven't got an appointment, do speak to your clinic and explain to them what you hear and any symptoms you may be having.

I hope you will soon be feeling better and will come to terms with having a  pacemaker.  I am sure it was needed to keep you safe.  Look at it as your friend and you won't be disappointed.   I had many doubts, but now I see clear benefits and I hope it will be the same for you too

Tucking

by Debbie01 - 2022-10-19 16:30:35

I don't hear the ticking I can feel it in my chest. I'm having the odd dizzy spell too which lasts only for a second or two is this normal? I do a download in 2 weeks. Thank you for answering  xx

Dizziness

by Gemita - 2022-10-19 17:02:49

Debbie, dizziness can have many causes and can be common but it is not normal to feel dizzy at any time.  After my pacemaker implant I did have a few more palpitations than normal and with any rhythm disturbance, it can cause a bit of dizziness.

Make sure you are well hydrated and drinking lots of water.  Dehydration may cause dizziness.  As you are getting symptoms of dizziness, especially if they continue, I would see your GP for some checks Debbie just to be safe.  You don't have to wait to do a download to your clinic.  Ask your clinic if you can do one tomorrow or when you next feel dizzy so they can check to see whether your symptoms are being caused by your pacemaker or any heart rhythm disturbance.  Probably neither, so please don't worry.

Hi🍁

by Lavender - 2022-10-19 21:00:53

I'm sorry to hear that you're not having an easy time settling in with your device. I recall thinking that I was never going to get used to mine. I'm hyper alert about my body as it is.  The first seven months with my pacemaker were not smooth sailing. Adjustments to the settings got me more comfortable. My brain also started to ignore most of the new sensations. Our body heals first then the mental aspect settles in. 

I've had my pacemaker 21 months and still never slept again on my left-favorite-side. My pacemaker is on the left. I can now lie briefly on that side or lean into a pillow on that side for short periods. It's getting better. 
 

I still can feel a vibration in my upper body and arms early in the morning as I lie quietly in bed. It's very mild. It used to wake me until they changed an adjustment on it.  My tech said that 80% of her patients can feel the pacemaker sensation. In time we adapt. 
 

I had two woozy spells after getting the pacemaker:

one was from being in the heat outdoors 

one was from not drinking enough water

You need more water than ever before. Drink more. 🧡🍂

Ticking

by Debbie01 - 2022-10-20 03:05:53

Oh ok will run a download if I'm dizzy today and will drink more water thank you for your comments xx

Four weeks with a pacemaker

by Gotrhythm - 2022-10-21 12:44:08

As I recall, it was just about a month before I was able to sleep on my left side. I piled up pillows on the left so that I was leaning toward the left as much as truely resting on my left. In time, I pushed the pillows away. But different people heal at different rates. Almost everyone get comfortable again on their left side.

I suspect you meant ticcing rather than ticking. Some people call a muscle jumping or twitching without conscious control a tic. I might be off base, but when I was a biofeedback therapist, my clients would frequently complain of tics as they would begin to relax. Since you notice it happening when you're in bed I wonder if that's what's happening to you? 

If so, it isn't serious or a sign that something is wrong. The best thing to do is accept it. Don't try to change it or make it go away. Just idly watch it the same way you might idly watch traffic from a window. At some point you'll realise it's gone away or you'll just fall asleep.

I understand not having time to mentally prepare for a pacemaker. It's happened to lots of us. The main thing you need to know right now is that once you are healed, there is practically nothing to worry about, nothing to watch out for, and no danger to your heart.

Strange as it might sound, the day will come, sooner than you think, that you will realise you haven't even thought about the pacemaker for a few days or even weeks. You are already past the hard part.

Ticking

by Debbie01 - 2022-10-21 18:19:43

Thank you, yes definitely  thinking less and less about the PM. Night time is definitely  getting better but the ticking happen again today while I was at work. My watch said my bpm dropped to 47 then the ticking started so I presume it's the PM working?  Have lots of lightheaded moments and I often have a second of dizziness. I've got a review in 2 weeks so going to mention it then.