After the pacemaker has been installed

'May pass out'

by Penguin - 2023-01-31 17:45:55

Hi, 

I had a quick look at your bio.  Fainting before PM, and now feeling as if you 'may' pass out, but don't. 

That doesn't sound right, but at least you're not fainting. I'd ring the clinic and explain how you feel. They should be able to tweak your settings in time for your return to work. 

Probably resolvable. Try not to be too downhearted. It sounds like a set back rather than a long term problem. Most people need to have their settings changed until they find the ideal ones.

Phone your clinic tomorrow and let us know how you get on.

Hi Sean

by Lavender - 2023-01-31 18:29:47

Sorry you have this concern. It's probably nothing dangerous. Your body is healing. You're traumatized. I had two times shortly after getting the pacemaker where I thought I would faint-but didn't. Mine was related to water- too much then not enough,
 

The first time, I was seated outside. I had been drinking a lot of water while enjoying a campfire. I felt woozy and went inside to lie down til it passed. In checking with the cardiologist, I was told I drank too much water and it was too warm outside with the fire adding to overheating me. 
I was told that my body operates a bit differently now. I never thought you could drink too much water but it's true. 

Overhydration causes symptoms similar to dehydration. Too much water drains the sodium out of your system. It screws up electrolytes. Read about it. 

The second time this happened where I was woozy was from the opposite thing-not enough water. I was out with friends at a luncheon on a hot day. I got woozy but didn't faint. It triggered post traumatic stress from all the times I had fainted before getting my pacemaker. I went out to the car and laid the seat back to rest. It made me anxious thinking here we go-I have this pacemaker and now I'm still feeling like fainting. 
I called the cardiologist and learned it was dehydration. 

There is a happy balance between drinking too much water and not enough. Check the color of your urine. It shouldn't be water clear all the time. From good rx site:

Healthy pee — in the morning or any time of the day — should be light in color but not completely clear. A pale yellow or straw color typically means that the kidneys are working well and that you’re properly hydrated.

It may help if you follow the recommended amount of water intake:

Adult males need about 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of water a day. 

Adult females need about 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of water a day. 

That is just my story. Some folks have to watch salt intake but for me-I have to keep pretzels on hand to keep my salt up. Cardiologist recommended. 
 

Could you also be having a bit of understandable anxiety? 

After the pacemaker has been installed

by Sean - 2023-01-31 18:45:07

Thanks for your replies.

I phoned the pacemaker clinic they checked (i have a monitor at home) They seem to think that with a bit of tweaking it should be ok 

Also check your blood pressure

by Gemita - 2023-01-31 18:50:18

Sean, while the pacemaker can help prevent our heart rate from falling below the lower set rate limit, it cannot control a fall in blood pressure and a fall in blood pressure can certainly cause instability and faintness.  Keep well hydrated.

The other thing to remember is that we are all prone to heart rhythm disturbances initially while our hearts are getting used to pacing and any disturbance of rhythm can really cause instability too.  So those are two very common causes for feeling as though you might pass out.  Good luck and keep your spirits up.  This is just a minor setback

settings

by Tracey_E - 2023-02-01 08:26:32

They send us home with a good guess on the settings. It's common to make adjustments as we heal. 

Re: SETTINGS

by docklock - 2023-02-01 11:21:15

When I got my PM on Jan. 20th, this year, the Metronic tech at the hospital set mine at 60.  I have an appointment with the 'local' Metronic tech later this month for some possible 'fine tuning.'  So far, no problems with mine -- that I know of. LOL.

passing out feeling

by busby - 2023-02-01 21:44:15

Hi Sean, i have had my pacemaker, now, for over 20yrs, after passing out in emergency and showing a pause of >30secs. at first i would get that feeling of almost passing out, with de jevu-like feeling. after a few years, they set my pacemaker on rate drop response, and i have had very few events since. Rate drop response means that the the pacemaker will detect a sudden drop in heart rate and start beating at 75bpm for 2 minutes, to compensate for loss in blood pressure. an interesting thing that happens now, that with my fitbit, I can look at my heart rate at night and see a distinct beat at this time.