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Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others
Pacemaker & ICDs | Last Active: Aug 11 1:29pm | Replies (234)Comment receiving replies
Hi,
5 years ago I was diagnosed with CMD (Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction/Disease). About 4 months ago I started having SVTs and as their frequency increased over time I had 3 cardioversions and was on nitro infusion twice. Last week a team Electrophysiologist completed an EP study and I had 2 ablation (part of my AV Node) and pacemaker (Abbott) installed (5 days ago). My primary meds to manage the CMD are Metoprolol (75 mg/day) and Amlodipine (5mg/day). Since the pacemaker I am unable to sleep even with the help of sleeping meds (Dayvigo/Zopiclone). Weird pains (legs/feet), nightmares, chest pain, nausea, having to urinate every 2 hours to name a few of the issues. I feel like am losing it. During the day I feel great - no issues.
Has anyone experienced similar types of events during the night after having a pacemaker installed? If, yes, what helped with sleep.
Replies to "Hi, 5 years ago I was diagnosed with CMD (Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction/Disease). About 4 months ago..."
@patti9309 Welcome to Connect! I just read the two posts you wrote in the last 24 hours. SVT's are a fast heart rhythm (for those unfamiliar with this acronym). Have you spoken to your doctors about your sleeping issue and the other issues you are experiencing at night? Lack of sleep affects other things we are doing, please do address your issues with your doctors at Friday's appointment. We cannot give medical advice. Your pacemaker was installed less than a week ago, sleeping position needs to be accommodating as you heal. I liked a recliner for a while and now I sleep on my left side, I do miss sleeping on my stomach. @jc76 noted that he was very heart focused, especially at night, I did not find that happening to me. I found this article from the NIH, a study, you may wish to read. I am thinking that, even though it's about ICDs, it would also apply to devices that are just pacemakers. It's quite technical, I skipped down to the ending comments. You may read something here that resonates with you and can help generate questions for your doctor. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3681948/ Before you received your pacemaker, how did SVT affect your everyday life?
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@patti9309
When you have heart issues you can become heart focused. This is not my opinion but the medical and mental heath guidance for my medical professionals at Mayo Jacksonville.
During the day (again from my experience and what my doctors advised me) you are busy doing things, you are not so heart focused. When you go or try to go to sleep at night you are quiet, laying there and common to become heart focused and feel every PVCs, PACs, tachycardia, discomfort, etc.
How long has it been since your pacemaker was implanted? It takes about a year for body to encapsulate the device and wires. I am on my 3rd ICD/Pacemaker so have gone through this encapsulation time period. And for me like my EP stated it will feel better after encapsulation.
You asked about sleep medications. I am going to advise of what I take and it was described by Mayo Psychiatric medication specialist. It is Trazodone. What trazodone did for me was it stop my mind from racing and concentrating on heart focus. I was able to sleep with it.
But we are all individuals so what worked for me my not work for you. One thing about Trazodone is for me caused very vivid dreams. My specialist told me because it increases serotonin.
Don't accept the way you feel. Reach out to your medical doctors and advise them exactly the way you feel and mentioned things if they would help you.
How do you sleep. On back, sides, etc. The way you sleep affects the organs inside your body. Thus you will feel more heart feelings like on your left side versus you right side. Talk to your doctors about sleeping positions and on your own try the right side, then see if the left side improves or makes worse.
Good Luck!