After pacemaker!

[shirlygirly]

Hi,, After really bad af episodes I agreed to having pacemaker fitted which I had a month ago. After my af episodes I was really struggling to walk very far

200/300 hundred yards or maybe slightly more on a good day. Any exertion

left me struggling for breath so the PM which my EP had been advising for

some time seemed like a good idea. I had it done very quickly which was good

and I hoped to feel the benefit almost immediately. Well Im just the same

still struggling walking and almost no energy. My EP has always advised Pace and Ablate but I have dug my heels in, thought I could manage without going

that far but now Im beginning to wonder. I could never take increased doses

of beta blocker, one of the reasons for the PM, I now take an increased dose

but it hasnt had any affect. Im quite despondent about things at the moment

as I was so active only a couple of months ago. Having read a previous post

from Cali Im beginning to think that ablation of the av Node is answer.

Im seeing my EP next week so I guess its make my mind up time then.

They did fit a 3 lead PM in readiness for the ablation, the thought of which

terrifies me, irrational I know. Can anybody put my mind at rest and will it work.

Thanks

[Hidden]

So sorry you have had this disappointment and hope feeling much better - in every way - and being like you used to be is round the corner for you.

[Mickey16]

Hi shirlygirly,

Sorry to hear you are not feeling as well as you had hoped. It is still very early days. I so far, have not got to the pace and ablate advice for my heart issues, but can understand where you are coming from with the decisions we are asked to make.

If it helps, I didn't feel 100% after a month, more like 10%... I have had my pacemaker for about 2 years and things have got better gradually but steadily - a combination of finding the right setting and gradually building up stamina, losing weight as my heart got stronger and being able to gradually "knock out" other health issues as I got better. I am not trying to give you advice of any kind about pace and ablate now or in the future. This has to be a personal decision between your Doctor and yourself - your health is individual to you and no-one else.

I hope somebody else on HU who has had a successful pace and ablate will post some confidence for you, as I would expect this procedure would not be offered without the prospect of success to the recipient.

Best wishes,

Mickey16

[shirlygirly in reply to Mickey16]

Thanks so much for both replies. I guess it is still early days but

I got told by a few people how well I was going to be and how much better I guess I had high expectations. To be honest even the EP who

fitted my PM (my EP was on holiday) came to see me to advise me to

go for the node ablation. When I expressed my reservations he said

his Mum had one and he wouldn't have sanctioned that if it wasn't

the best treatment in the circumstances. I am 81 now and I just want

to get the best result I can so I am able to carry on life where I left off.

I will listen carefully to my EP on Wednesday and see what my options

are. Maybe as you say my PM may need an adjustment, Im going to

the PM clinic prior to seeing the EP so thats useful I think. I dont have

any weight issues so no problem there. I had my PM fitted as I have

bradycardia thats what caused my problem taking betablockers.

Thanks again.

ps, my pacemaker still feels like a stone in my chest.

[Eirecara in reply to shirlygirly]

Hi Shirlygirly😊 might I suggest bringing someone with you on Wednesday to help with what your consultant says. It’s difficult to take it all in sometimes so another pair of ears can help. Very best wishes. 🌼

[Becksagogo]

Hello shirlygirly.

I too had a Pacemaker fitted and thought it would be the answer to all my prayers but it hasn't worked out that way.

I have it "tweaked" every so often but I am still very breathless. I do have other heart issues which doesn't help but I really felt that the PM would make a difference as that was the way it was "sold" to me!

I am only 63 and my quality of life is worse than it was before my various surgeries.

[valg59]

Hi sorry things don’t feel better for you. I had a two lead pacemaker in February, like you I have other heart problems, moderate leaking valve which I had open heart surgery 13 years ago . Also early heart failure and permanent af , It takes time for the pacemaker to settle, I had mine tweaked a few time also. But a few months on I feel better, I hope it will be the same for you. Try to feel positive, and wishing you a good outcome.

[grandadbren1]

Hello I am sorry you are having problems after pacemaker being fitted. If you look on my posts you will see I also went down hill after pacemaker fitted. I

I had bradycardia and therefore the need for pacemaker this does not stop af but just gives your heart a nudge when rate drops however there is a program that can be switched on which is supposed to suppress af and in my case this program and the increased dose age of tablets absolutely floored me and I also was breathless on exertion which I had not experienced at all before but once the pacemaker was turned right down and tablets decreased I felt so much better and back to my old self and able to be active again.

I would discuss with the ep if they could consider if there are any alternatives you could try before taking the step of node ablation.

[shirlygirly in reply to grandadbren1]

Hi, I wrote a long reply but for some reason it didnt print, but

I do thank the people that responded to me. Its good to hear how

other people have coped with their pacemakers and if their health

has improved. Im so sorry for anyone who has found no benefit

from having the p.m. fitted. I found the whole procedure extremely

painful and Im not soft by any means and to then find that it hasnt

really helped must be so upsetting and demorolising, I do hope that

you find improvement soon.

Im hoping that a few tweaks and a change in medication on Wednesday

when I go to the p.m. clinic and see my EP will help me.

Thank you so much for your replies and helpful advice. I will let you

know how I get on.