Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

I’m a 77 yr. old female who had a 4.5 second complete electrical blockage on New Year’s Day and had a pacemaker installed on the 5th January. I wanted to add that it also has a sleep setting. (They set everybody up for a 60 BPM minimum at the outset) My normal heart rate when asleep had varied between 51 and 56 over the years, and I was conscious of pacing as I tried to get to sleep, so I asked the technician at the heart center to set me down to 50, which she did. At the high end (exercise setting?) my FitBit often shows me in the red zone now when I don’t feel my actual exertion warranted it, and the FitBit sleep function doesn’t seem to give me credit for any deep sleep anymore, which is disturbing. I’ve been very grateful for this online support group’s comments, as I’ve had PVCs for years, then concurrent diagnoses last winter of LPGERD and the electrical blockages, then a paroxysmal A-fib diagnosis this summer. Born with a benign double murmur, which I have no idea whether it relates to anything else that’s going on. Lastly, I’m very interested in the gastro-cardiology linkage that was mentioned here. I’ve suspected some kind of a connection there, and indeed learned this summer I have a hiatal hernia. So much to learn and figure out. Thanks to all for your comments.

bill0996. I have a Boston Scientific. The newer ones have sensors. Mine had a motion sensor (newer ones have different type sensors) and when motion went up heart pacing would increase. It can be set how sensitive it is and how much it rises.

I did not get any benefit from it meaning I did not feel any different during exercise. It was working as they could see it from my pacemaker checks. On the negative side I started having some episodes right after they turned it on. I had them turn it off and the episodes (knock on wood) stopped. Can's say it was the cause but stopping it stopped the episodes.

I have tons of PVCs, my heart is paced to 70 (resting pulse 54) to help reduce PVCs and told a very strong sinus mode (natural pacing of heart). What I worried about was so many electrical signals coming in was causing heart to go awry. Again not a EP but since it was not helping me exercise (I am very active and do Sprint Triathlons) had it turned off and episodes stopped.

Your EP and Pace Clinic should have advised you of this function if you have it in yours. If you have a pacemaker you can always go on their web site and put in your model and date and can get a lot of information on your pacemaker and ICD if you have both (I do).

I would like to know if anti depressants affect a pacemaker

aramsaier, My caregiver at Mayo for psychiatric care and medications prescribed an anti depressant some time back. It was going to affect the electrical signal to my heart and increase delay.

She checked with my heart failure doctor and EP to make sure they would approve and did. Really doesn't affect your pacemaker but the electrical signals to your heart and like mine would increase a delay in on the signals.

Please check with your EP (electrophysiolgist) to see if it will have any affect on the electrical signals from heart as everyone is different and what might not be a problem for me could be for you. My heart is paced at 70 bpm to help with PVCs normal pace is around 54.

I did improve my mental outlook when I got the prescription. I was suffering from PTSD which developed into an anxiety/panic disorder which made doing anything socially very hard. And what caused my PTSD? Several years ago had 5 ICD shocks over a 24 hour period. Medications and reprogramming ICD/Pacemaker along with the anti depressant helped me out of it. Had occasionally problems since then but lately (and will knock on wood) been without issues.

I am 77, a woman with afib and flutter. I take 180 mg diltiazem in the morning and if a fib strikes (always when I am resting or asleep) I take a rescue 30 of diltiazem followed up in an hour if it is not successful with 25 of metoprolol. Not sure what to do if that doesn't work as I hate going to the ER.
Suggestions?

Can anyone describe what the pace maker is like under the skin in the chest! Can you feel it? Is it visible? What about healing?

I have had my pacemaker for almost 2 years. Very simple procedure. You can feel it under the chest. The only visibility to others is a small scar that fades with time. Healing is variable, I assume, with different people. I was given a sheet that outlined things to do and not do with a timeline. Initial healing takes a couple of months. I do strength training including deadlifts weighted squats and bench press. I did nothing for 8 weeks. When I returned to the gym, I was scared but I took everything very slowly starting with basic body work. When I began weights again, I started very low. I have a trainer so I was supervised but the guideline has always been to listen to your body and proceed gradually. For the most part, I don't notice the pacemaker. I do get discomfort sometimes but I've never had pain. I also do Zumba/occasional Yin Yoga and have never had a problem.

My reason for a pacemaker was bradycardia. I had all the classic symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, little dizziness after some exercises. My heart rate was 31 when I went to the hospital. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that the pacemaker gave me back my life. My pacemaker is a Medtronic. They have a good website for patients and an excellent 'call with your question' line. I assume other manufacturers have resources too.

Hope this helps

Yes, this is very helpful. I was inquiring due to my father’s situation.

He is 87, has CHF, with CKD, an aortic aneurysm (under 5), multiple PVCs, hypothyroidism and ALZ. We’ve been told he may need a Pace maker one day. Quadruple bypass in 2000 and 4 stents since. As we anticipate it, we are concerned with his cognitive ability to leave the device alone for healing. He is obsessed with any little thing on his body and picks at it constantly, asking what is this? Moles, skin tags, etc. We fear he would become highly distressed with something under his skin, he could not understand what it is or remember what it is. Thinking of palliative care going forward.

It’s awesome the device is working for you! So great to see this! And, I wear a Medtronic 780g insulin pump! Love it! It’s changed my life!

My mother had ALZ (early onset). I know how difficult it is to deal with. I think your concerns about a pacemaker for your father are right on. A discussion with his GP as well as the cardiologist would be helpful.

Glad your insulin pump is doing its thing. We can do so much more "living" with the help of our electrical friends. 🙂

@gut Yikes. Sounds like a lot of medicine. Try various vagal maneuvers (can be found on the internet). I'm 81, male, with ocasional AFIB and tachycardia. I'm only taking 25mg of metoprolol daily, and have yet to have to take any more metoprolol as a "pill in the pocket" if an event occurs (HR over 120 bpm). Instead, the vagal manuever has worked for me. Good luck.