Anxiety after pacemaker implant

Posted by kgiery @kgiery, Apr 19 4:19am

I had a pacemaker put in 4 weeks ago. I have been seen in the clinic twice and ER once. I am having a bouts of what feels like anxiety/panic attacks. Is this normal?

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kayparker | @kayparker | May 29 6:06am

In reply to @jc76 "@kayparker Do you have the ability to get a second opinion? I would do this if..." + (show)

@jc76

@kayparker
Do you have the ability to get a second opinion? I would do this if possible. Are you anywhere close to a Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, John Hopkins?

Having a ICD can add anxiety and stress. But here is what I learned to see it from my Electrophysiologist (EP). A ICD device implanted is like having your own EMS ready to help if needed. So try to see it as a helper.

It will take time to get use to something foreign in your body. My EP said would take about a year. I think with surgery and your new device you have heart focus. In that your brain is super conscious of all the heart flutters and arrythmias.

My EP says the flushed intense feeling is adrenaline. This your body reacting to your stress and anxiety. Now how do you address that. First tell your doctors what you are feeling. Then discuss medications to help if applicable.

Then discuss exercise and or hoppies. Why are you just sitting. Were you not told to walk? Again if you have adrenaline (the fight or flight hormone) building up your body is going to react to it. A good way to lesson your anxiety and stress is exercise. With your doctors approval do you like doing any type of exercise? I do water aerobics 5 days week, walk, bike, etc. It does wonders to lesson my stress and anxiety.

You just had ICD surgery so you were given limitations of moving your arm and exercise restrictions. But were you not told to walk? My doctors did for me and I slowly added more exercises about 2 weeks after (per my doctors at Mayo).

Don't like to exercise. How about a hobby? Do you like doing anything like a hobby. It will also help lesson anxiety and stress. If you don't have a hobby you do or like to do consider doing one you always thought about doing but never did.

I have had VTAC for over 20 years but have an ICD/Pacemaker. That device allows me to relax know if something happens my ICD is there to help me and get me back into rhythm. Try to look at it that way. Also there are a lot of medications out there to help with V-tach.

Good luck, but consider getting a second opinion and remember you just had surgery so will take some time to recover and you now have a implanted device there if needed.

Jump to this post

@jc76
So reassuring to have all that info given. Thank you.
These rwactions we of concern as these would lead to an episode. I've had these for years, now know what it is. Being told I could get them again but have the ICD to step in an counteract, well still processing it all. Two of the times I was just sitting, concentrating on my puzzle-- one of my current hobbies.

I stopped driving almost 4 yrs ago because it happened twice and called friends to get me home so I go out when I'm up to it on hubby's day off as I deal with another health issue that keeps me close to home.

Not sure yet if who I will see about the device itself is a/the EP. Our next step was to go to the Mayo clinic nearest us.

Wow 20 years! So sorry about having to go thru all this. Thankful for the advances in technology to combat this condition. Stay safe!!!

I was also given the instruction should I get a shock to go to ER and call the cardiologist during business hours. And yes, I'm on a med to help but am really not comfortable taking it prolonged. Dr. said we can explore other options when the time is appropriate.

So yeah, I need to do more education, be a part of this kind of medical community to adjust to this, shall I say, new normal.

Looking forward to learning more from any that share and thank you so much for your response.

Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | May 29 8:59am

In reply to @kayparker "Very curious as well. My ICD was done last week. I have V-tach. Finally captured an..." + (show)

@kayparker Welcome and we are glad you have joined the Connect discussion! We are all here to help each other by sharing our experiences and making suggestions. I see you read the excellent posting by @jc76 and I especially liked the suggestion to get another opinion, preferably at a COE (Center of Excellence). I also resumed exercise - in fact, the day after implantation, November 2022, I put my arm in a sling and walked slower-than-usual for an hour, I am normally walking 10,000 steps each day, go to the gym, bike, mow the lawn etc. Healing takes time, Buddy (my ICD) and I are an item, and I am glad the dizziness, giddiness and syncope are no longer any part of my life. You may find this article helpful in learning as much as you can and to generate questions for your doctor. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators/about/pac-20384692 How do you think you will proceed from here?

mysporby1940 | @mysporby1940 | May 30 12:21pm

Having a ICU ?? put in in 2days!!!!! Hope it works .. My ejection fraction on one side is down to 17......Really have no energy....Really need some help>>>

jc76 | @jc76 | May 30 2:21pm

In reply to @mysporby1940 "Having a ICU ?? put in in 2days!!!!! Hope it works .. My ejection fraction on..." + (show)

@mysporby1940
Do you mean ICD?

Cardiology usually recommends ICDs when EF gets to 30. You say one side. Which side? Each side of ventricles play very different roles.

The procedure is outpatient and is not intensive. Millions are done every year. I have had one since 2006 and on my 3rd device.

mysporby1940 | @mysporby1940 | May 31 8:29am

In reply to @jc76 "@mysporby1940 Do you mean ICD? Cardiology usually recommends ICDs when EF gets to 30. You say..." + (show)

@jc76 Its my left side?????? I am so tired all the time!!!!

Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | May 31 9:19am

In reply to @mysporby1940 "Having a ICU ?? put in in 2days!!!!! Hope it works .. My ejection fraction on..." + (show)

@mysporby1940 You may be in the ICU for a very short time after getting your shiny new ICD. These medical initials get the best of us, hats off to people who know what they all mean and can keep them straight. Buddy, my ICD and I have been an item for over 3 years, he/she really helped in eliminating dizziness, giddiness and syncope after outpatient surgery (I did stay overnight because it was installed in the afternoon), just one of the many reasons people acquire them. You will be paying attention to the discharge instructions, and it will take time to heal. I have a device on my bedroom shelf which picks up data and sends it to Medtronic and my doctor's office computers. Each company has different attributes, what kind will you have? Here is something to read which may help you generate questions and help settle your mind about this scary (I think all medical interventions are somewhat scary), upcoming procedure. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators/about/pac-20384692 @jc76 has excellent postings based on his long association with ICDs. Let us know how it went and give updates on your feelings about it all!

jc76 | @jc76 | May 31 5:16pm

In reply to @mysporby1940 "@jc76 Its my left side?????? I am so tired all the time!!!!" + (show)

@mysporby1940
I was told sleeping on sides makes the heart more noticeable and you feel PVCs and PACs.

How is your sleeping? There are some very good medications out there to help with anxiety and sleeping. I have found that if you do not get a good nights sleep (help if you need it) you are going to be tired and irritable the next day. Sleep is so important to your both mentally and physically.

Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | Jun 1 9:33am

In reply to @mysporby1940 "@jc76 Its my left side?????? I am so tired all the time!!!!" + (show)

@mysporby1940 May I suggest reporting this to your doctor and asking about going to a sleep clinic? Feeling well-rested is vital to our well-being as you know. I sleep on my left side; I miss sleeping on my stomach as I normally did before ICD installation and some nights are better than others. Observing you at a sleep clinic may be very helpful.

mysporby1940 | @mysporby1940 | 6 days ago

In reply to @jc76 "@mysporby1940 Do you mean ICD? Cardiology usually recommends ICDs when EF gets to 30. You say..." + (show)

@jc76 Its the left side and I had a defibrillator put in on Monday......

mysporby1940 | @mysporby1940 | 4 days ago

Thank You for your support!!!!! Hope this will help.

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