CRT pacemaker

[FrankiePez]

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I've been diagnosed with LBBB and am due to have a CRT pacemaker in the next few weeks (hopefully). I had no symptoms and it was only diagnosed following a pre-op assessment for a hip replacement I should have had in February - now postponed until the heart is stable. I'm on spironolactone and dapagliflozin (which has caused thrush) and this week saw the GP as thought I had kidney problems (maybe as a side-effect) - turns out after urine and blood test I do have an infection and am on antibiotics. Am I likely to need the medication after the pacemaker is fitted? Would appreciate advice from anyone who has a CRT one. Feeling pretty low as unable to do much exercise due to hip pain - would love to go for a long walk!

[RufusScamp]

I had a pacemaker 3 years ago, with heart failure and LBBB. Like you, I had no symptoms before I was diagnosed. I also have hip problems which stop me exercising enough.

You will need to carry on with the meds, but the antibiotics should be temporary.

[Westie2012]

Hi, I can’t comment on whether you’ll need to continue with your antibiotics after having your procedure , you’d need to ask your gp or medical professional about that . I do have a pacemaker and I had to have a dose of IV antibiotics before and after the procedure to reduce risk of infection . Buy a v shape pillow , I found mine invaluable after and I recommend them to anyone I know who’ll be having a pm . Hope all goes well for you x

[Silvertail]

Did you have syncope from your LBBB? I have it and was told I don't need a CRT unless I am having fainting episodes.

[FrankiePez in reply to Silvertail]

I did have a couple of occasions when I felt dizzy, but it was while tipping my head back to paint a ceiling! so it was put down to balance/ear problems.

[Silvertail in reply to FrankiePez]

Ok, thank you. I get dizzy when standing up from a chair, They say it’s my blood pressure dropping. I also can’t put my head back, however I think that would be the case with most people. I hope your hip replacement goes well for you.

[Fred1954]

I have a CRT pacemaker which was upgraded from the standard two lead type a year ago. My original pacemaker was a couple of years old and put in after an ablation to cure flutter, but mild heart failure had worsened to moderate so the answer was CRT-P and it worked! I take a couple of different meds now, one of them being Dapaglifoxin also Eplerenone. I now exercise regularly with the only impairment being my age!

All previous comments are correct regarding sleeping on your back for a while. Hope that all turns out well for you.

[Callista]

I have an internal defibrillator fitted and have been on both these drugs for sometime. Take care with the dapagliflozin and urinary infections as they can be a problem.

Coincidentally I have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease stage 3A recently but it may be “age related” rather than due to these drugs.

Whatever the drawbacks my ability to do things has improved thanks to all the medication I take.

Best of luck

[Swalecliffe88]

Hello Frankie. I had a CRT-D implanted following an out of hospital cardiac arrest 7 months ago. I have heart failure or ischemic heart disease following a heart attack in 2015 and had a triple bypass for that. My new cardiologist added Entresco and Dapagliflozin to my other meds when I saw him 6 months ago. To be honest, thankfully by the sounds of it, I have not had any trouble either with the implant or Dapa. Entresco has effected my bowels slightly, and I am just waiting for blood test to see about kidneys, as I had stage 3 kidney impairment resulting from my by pass but I don’t feel they are worse. But if Dapa is going to cause you those sort of problems, I would ask to have a different medication. But I hope you get to feel better and progress to better health soon.