~Just seeking some solace please~

[Megams]

~I posted 2 months ago re dual pacemaker implant. Grateful to say wound/s have finally healed despite being left with numbness where lump from hematoma developed during surgery.

My a/fib load has significantly increased and continues infinitum. Betaloc been doubled as has Losarten - knocking me sideways with side effects.

Initially plan "B" by EP was to have AV node ablation should p.m not be able to support some of my issues. I am booked for 27/3/24 for overnight stay - am very nervous about the finality of my heart's own natural electric's - I understand I have no other choice here in NZ.

Can anyone console me please for those who have had one of these procedures + if your meds reduced once healed?

Most medication/s make me very sick and don't want to just survive but thrive!!

Most appreciative of any feedback

Easter Blessings ~

[Buffafly]

Hi Megams, may I suggest you do a search for ‘AV node ablation’ as many posters have had them and most say their lives were ‘back’!

[Megams in reply to Buffafly]

~Thanks so much Buffafly - excuse my ignorance but where do I find posts like mine on this site?

[Buffafly in reply to Megams]

I’ve got an iPad so your layout may be different but there is a box with a magnifying glass at the top of the page. It says ‘Search Health Unlocked’. You might get a better response if you post with a title like ‘AV Node ablation experiences’ which will hopefully catch the eye of someone helpful and also sometimes brings up past posts at the side under Pinned Posts.

[ozziebob]

Here's the Search 🔍 results for "AV node ablation" ...

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

... and here's the slightly different results for "AV node" ...

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[Megams in reply to ozziebob]

~Bless you ozziebob - I was having trouble and just gave up - deeply appreciated.

Happy Easter~

[ozziebob in reply to Megams]

Glad to help. I did sense you might be struggling, as I have in the past. And sometimes you need to find the best arrangement of search words to find the Posts that are most relevant.

bob (born in Oz but UK resident)

[Megams in reply to ozziebob]

~Indeed and late last night try to absorb others experiences but it got too late and my mind in overdrive.

Bless you once more - I appreciate your support~

[Alphakiwi]

I also in NZ and have been battling this thrive servive issue for 4 years. I had a dual pacemaker put in in Auckland with no issues. The idea was to wait at least 5 weeks then go back in in to have my AV node knocked out. Turns ou that once the pm was put in it was gonsidered i didnt need the AV node ablation. So wait and see. Im now virtually in permanent a flutter. All the best. I live in kerikeri.

[Megams in reply to Alphakiwi]

~Thank you Alphakiwi - my dual p.m only doing small part and this AV Node ab. was on cards - I will go into today with confidence knowing all will be well.

At the end of the day we are at the mercy of the team working on us. I have had my challenges with my heart history and sure the team will do the best they can.

I live in Auckland -Easter blessings to you~

[Skertchly]

just age with Grace. I have same as you meds. Pacemaker, severe diabetes. Just sort your priorities and be kind to others. I do one act of kindness a day. It helps me most.

[Megams in reply to Skertchly]

~Thank you Skertchly - yes I speak the language of a little act of kindness with gentleness each day if I can.

Have fought hard not to go into diabetic zone as on steroids 10+ years - very low carb diet helps me even tho I have a wee tummy Mainly plant based, gluten sensitive, dairy free very little meat etc +

Easter blessings~

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Megams, so sorry to hear your problems since having an implanted device. I completely sympathise and possibly empathise too. My dual pacer, cardioverter/defibrillator is just not making me feel better or safer either. Like you, it's firing off all the time. The pacer is set at 60 to counter Bradycardia. That seems to be working okay and I'm not aware of it. But the cardioversion is firing off all the time in response to ectopics which have never caused me a problem until now. It's very uncomfortable and disturbing because of the irregularity and variability of the shock pulse. Although not a full blown shock it is enough to move my body. I've been in touch with the EP's who say it's doing its job! I wish, my problem was a singular LVT leading to a syncope event, for which the justification for the ICD. That bit I understand and accept. But I do believe the problems are also related to the medication, in my case bisoprolol. While waiting for investigations and the fitting of the ICD (2 weeks ago) I was started on bisoprolol. Immediately I was getting dizzy spells and I noticed a significant increase in ectopics from occasional single or doubles to multiple runs of ectopics , up to 9 a minute continuously.

I will have my first follow up monitoring in another 4 weeks but I will be asking to see the outcomes of the monitoring of the device, not least how much battery has been used!

My concern is the level of irregularity and effort in my heart. I have lived a lifetime with a resting HR of 40, so now it's 60 all the time. But it feels at times as though my heart and the device are working against each other and it's certainly not settling down.

I'm not sure any of this helps you other than I think I understand believe it's complety reasonable for you to feel concerned.

I hope it gets sorted. (I'm UK based)

[Megams in reply to Chinkoflight]

~Thank you for your response and kind words.

So sorry learning of your issues. Really hope you can get some answers + more comfort.

I'm 2 days post op and now home - feeling brighter for having had a good night's sleep in my own bed. I'm now off Betaloc - huge plus for me

I'm processing what my discharge info stated - need to talk with my Cardiologist /EP or GP whichever comes first. Saddened to read that I have chronic a/fib.

I'm in NZ~ take good care meantime.