Pace maker experience

[JP1146]

Hi All

New to the community.

I had a pace maker implant on Tuesday for 2nd degree heart block. I was hoping for an instant improvement in my condition. Unfortunately I still feel very ill extreme fatigue unable to do anything. The hospital has assured me my device is working correctly

Can anybody help me with their experiences. Many thanks.

[Bingo88]

Sorry to hear you are not feeling better. I would ask the question of the doctor. Why you dont feel any better. They should have the answers. My experience is after a sore throat and cough. Had breathlessness too. Found my heart beat was dropping to 40. Then 28. But felt ok in my self walking around. Had a pacemaker. Walking around the ward again as soon as i got back. Breathlessness has all gone. Just 3 weeks after op. Now got a blood clot in my shoulder. Thats being treated. You should have a contact number they gave you on an info sheet. If you have problems. Hope you feel better soon and get answers. Keep us upto date how your doing BRIAN

[JP1146 in reply to Bingo88]

Many thanks for your reply

Had a full check up today.

Nothing found going back in three weeks hopefully things will improve over that time.

[Bingo88 in reply to JP1146]

Thats great. Perhaps peace of mind will kick in now. Sadly 1 persons response and outcome, is not the same. Glad u got checked out. Hope u start feeling better soon. Keep in touch. Try and chill and enjoy the weekend. BRIAN

[JP1146 in reply to Bingo88]

Think chill is a very important word let the device do its job.

Many thanks great words.

[fantasyfanuk]

Hi JP, I had a pacemaker fitted for complete heart block 2 yrs ago but continued to feel as you did. My pacemaker too was functioning correctly everyone assured me. However, I have since discovered that there are variable settings which they can tweak if necessary. I have had that done once already and am currently in the clinic waiting for them to adjust it again. Although it is frustrating to still feel ill, I do feel a lot better than straight after having it fitted and hopefully this tweak will help further. I always try to remember that the alternative to having a pacemaker was not a very attractive proposition!! My heart rate had dropped to 22 so there was no alternative but I sometimes think it takes much longer to get over things like this than they suggest. Especially if it is an emergency. I hope you feel much better soon.

[JP1146 in reply to fantasyfanuk]

Thank you for your post.

I’ve been at the hospital today. Device downloaded blood tests scan and full examination. Nothing found, which is good if a little frustrating. They are happy with the devices operation, got to go back in a month when they will see what’s been going on and make any tweaks necessary.

Hopefully I’ll feel better as time goes on.

[fantasyfanuk in reply to JP1146]

I understand the frustration, when they tell you everything is working fine they do expect you to be delighted and reassured but that’s not the case when you continue to feel so ill. It seems perfectly normal to me to still be concerned in that situation and to want to get to the bottom of things. At my pacer clinic yesterday they said that sometimes doctors focus too much on the pacemaker sorting out the problem and in my case maybe my continuing symptoms are being caused by something else. I’m waiting for echocardiogram results which may shed some light on it. Everyone is different though and your body has had a physical shock to its system and may just need more time to recover. I had absolutely no energy and was too exhausted even to eat sometimes for a while after the procedure. It was about 6 or 7 weeks before I went back to work on a phased return. I now work part time and take things steady. I hope you feel much better soon.

[JP1146 in reply to fantasyfanuk]

Sensible,reassuring and kind words. Thank you.

I do think medical staff do sometimes forget how important it is to the individual.

Many thanks.

[fantasyfanuk in reply to JP1146]

Yes I agree. To them pacemakers are absolutely routine and nothing to get stressed about but mine was fitted as an emergency and I’d been at work the day before with no idea I needed one. It was therefore an enormous shock with no time to psych myself up for it or find out any information. Most staff will understand our worries and fears but sad to say not all. I’m more relaxed about having a pacemaker now but it’s still weird being connected to a computer and instructions being given to it to change how my body works!