New Pacer, Dizzy & PVC's

Hi. I just received my first pacer (Biotronik Cylos DR) five days ago for bradycardia and 3rd degree block. I have other physical problems but I thought I would be feeling much better by now. I am SO tired that I think I could sleep all day. In addition, I am dizzy, which I wasn't until the PM. I went back to have my PM checked and they turned off the rate response to see if that helped - it didn't.

My question is, am I expecting too much too soon? Since I have other problems, could I just be run down from surgery? This never happened before though, and I've had three joints replaced - I've never had a problem with dizziness.

Also, in the shower today, I had quite a few pvc's and had to stop the shower. They stopped when I got out of the heat. Is this normal?

Thanks for any help that you can give me.

Michele

6 Comments

and oh...

by Pookie - 2008-11-27 09:11:21

I sent you a private message as well....it should appear in the upper right hand corner of this screen under "Member Menu" which is in red.

Pookie

Welcome

by Pookie - 2008-11-27 09:11:54

Welcome to the club.

Sounds like you're having a bit of a rough go, but having your pacemaker only 5 days ago could explain your tiredness. Make sure you are getting plenty of rest.

Now to the dizziness....it could be from almost anything. Do a "search", the feature is up in the upper right hand corner. Are you on any new medications as that might cause dizziness. How is your blood pressure? And it might be that your pacemaker has to be set to you as we are not all the same.

Good luck & keep us posted

Pookie

Dizzy

by fireryan - 2008-11-28 06:11:14

The dizziness sounds like it is from your tachycardia episodes, and I can attest to that because I am V tach problemed patient. I've had my fair share of episodes. I am also a paramedic. When your heart beats too fast it doesn't oxygenate well when breathing at a normal rate. Remember when we are exercising that both are heart rate and breathing rate are increased (amongst other things going on a bit more complicated). So when youre heart rate increases without a respiration change the oxygen exchange taking place in the lungs is not adequate leading to the dizziness. I believe that the doc's are going through a little trial here seeing if you're rate stabalizes. If you aren't feeling well then your setting needs a looking at or maybe your meds need an adjustment with the new change. Don't hesitate to call the Doc. I don't.
God Bless!!

mended heart

by mendedheart - 2008-11-28 08:11:56

I had my pacer/defib implanted seven years ago. Not one problem from day one it has been wonderful. I do transmit on phone every month & go for computer check every three months to be tweak at the hospital pacemaker clinic.
Soon I will need a new one- mine is Medtronic & a mircle for me.
I had cardic arrest the day after my heart attack. Five jolts brought me back to life.
Believe that was a life changing event in words that can not be explained as I journey to the bright light.
Take care & keep check on any future check ups.

Thanks - pulse rate odd

by sculptor - 2008-11-28 10:11:49

Thanks Pookie. I'm not on any new meds and I've never experienced dizziness until the pacemaker. I noticed today, while trying to get to the bottom of this, that my BP stays fairly even but my pulse rate, sitting perfectly still, runs from 60 to 100 for no apparent reason.

I had a three week monitor and it did show periods of mild tachychardia but it was always under 150 so they decided to ignore it. I wonder if this is my problem. Do you know if mild tachychardia can make you dizzy? But then again, why didn't it make me dizzy before...

Ah well. Hopefully this will all work out eventually. Thanks again.

Medicaid woes

by sculptor - 2008-11-29 02:11:36

The problem with calling the doc is, they don't take my insurance (Medicaid) and told me that if I come back, I will have to pay. My "income" (yeah right) is $637 a month and over half of that goes to rent. Needless to say I don't have the money to pay for a doctor visit. They won't let me make payments because of an insurance mix-up earlier this year, leaving me with a $375 bill already.

So I'm feeling rather alone right now, with problems that I can't get checked out unless I go back to the ER, which I REALLY don't want to do unless it's urgent.

I'll be SO grateful when I finally have Medicare in March. It's not perfect, but it's a heck of a lot better than Medicaid.

I'm not quite as dizzy but still exhausted, and for some reason every time I take a hot shower, it causes PVC's and mild dizziness. This can't be normal but I don't know what to do about it.

Thanks for your replies - it helps to know I have "friends" who know what I'm talking about.

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I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.