Pacemaker annual check up

[Weejenny]

I went for my check up yesterday it was all going ok. I had a trainee doing it which was fine she said someone would come in after to discuss with her how she got on. The discussion didn’t mean a lot to me but at the end of it all 😳 they had to tell me the lower lead was failing! not really what I wanted to hear. I’ve to go back in three months for another check up and then they’ll decide what to do. I’m just wondering now, last week at work I had to sit down as I thought I was going to faint and it happened again this morning, this must be signs of it not working right. Ow dear 🙁

[Stanley18]

Hi Jenny,

Did the consultant share your pacing stats in the upper and lower chambers? I’m paced 14% upper and zero lower. I’m no doctor, but the pacing in your lower chamber might influence how urgently the doctors want to act. Best of luck in three months and take care in the meantime 🙂

[baba]

If you have any more fainting episodes inform the pacemaker clinic, don't wait 3months.

[Weejenny in reply to baba]

Hi Baba that’s just what my hubby and I have been talking about, I’m just trying to take it in, I’m pretty gutted about it. thanks for replying 😊

[Weejenny]

Hi Stanley he mentioned I am not using the lower lead as much. I’m just gutted about this thanks for replying 😊

[Spanaway]

I'm hoping it is only the lead si they can repair it ASAP! Prayers going up for you🙏

[Weejenny in reply to Spanaway]

Thank you so much for your prayers let’s hope it’s an easy fix 🤗

[JonathanPittsCrick]

If you are having attacke of faintness you should be checked in the pacing clinic straight away (and obviously not drive until it has been sorted out). They may be able to boost the voltage to the ventricular lead to keep it working, and sometimes the problem starts to improve by itself after about 6 weeks. In the old days (when this was a more common problem) we used to give a short course of steroid tablets to help recovery but I don't know if there is very good evidence for this.

[Weejenny in reply to JonathanPittsCrick]

Thank you so much for replying that sounds better than I had thought, I had in my mind that it would be surgery again.( but maybe not) I just wish I didn’t have to wait three months. I don’t need to drive to work thankfully. I don’t know what I should do now?

[JonathanPittsCrick]

Hi again Weejenny – just wondering what happened...?