Biventricular pacemaker

I've just had my pacemaker upgraded to a biventricular model - as recently as 12th September 2009. Two days after I was a bit disappointed to still have the same symptons - light headed feeling, no energy etc. Were my expectations too high? At the hospital the medical staff said it could take anything from a few days to a few weeks for the heart to adjust to the new pacemaker.
I would be glad to hear from others about their experiences
DHSJ

5 Comments

They've got it backwards

by ElectricFrank - 2009-09-14 06:09:16

They like to say your heart needs to adjust to the pacer. Actually, the pacer needs to be adjusted to your heart, but of course that would require some effort on their part.

frank

It takes a bit

by Cosmic - 2009-09-14 11:09:33

When they first install your pacer they jack up the voltage and set several things to help the leads embed. Things will settle down soon and you’ll do fine. I had the lightheadedness and such but as things progresses things will settle down. The energy level will increase as you are able to exercise. Start out slow and work up you most likely haven’t felt like it in a while. That 30 min walk every day is really important now. Keep you heart rate elevated for 30 min. a day and it will help you get to a normal state.

Enjoy, dump the anxiety and get moving….

??

by pete - 2009-09-15 02:09:30

You need an AV node ablation as well. Without it you will never get the full benefits of a biventricular pacemaker. I was getting Vtach before the AV node ablation. In surgery after the AV node ablation was completed, there was an immediate and dramatic improvement in my heart function.
I am of course assuming you have not as yet been given an AV node ablation. Most EP Surgeons would consider the job only half done if you do not combine this type of pacemaker with an AV node ablation. My neighbour and myself both have biventricular pacemakers and AV node ablations and are doing very well . Cheers Peter

Make sure

by walkerd - 2009-09-15 07:09:34

you tell your ep, cardioligist whom ever you go to for your pacer, make sure you tell them everything that is happening and dont feel like your being a pain, I had the same thing happen and it took three or four adjustments to the pm before they got the right settings. Its normal, like some of the wiser members have said before they ussally have the factory settings programmed in and have to adjust to the patient. Get copies of all the changes they make each time there are a couple of people on here frank, patch and so others that can help decifier the reading and help you understand what they are doing, doctors sometimes dont tell us alot because they think we wont understand. But like I said make sure you tell the doc everything that is happening, light headed, shortness of breath, any and all pains you have.
its important.
be a pain in the ash lol, really your not trust me I was probably the biggest pain, just ask some people on here lol
welcome
dave

Biventricular Pacemaker

by DHSJ - 2009-09-17 09:09:49

Thanks to all of you for your helpful comments
DHSJ

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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I live an extremely normal life now and my device does NOT hinder me in any way.