Pacemaker Complications?

Amy said:

I'm a 34 year old woman who is 100% pacer dependent due
to complete heart blockage. I have an appt with my
cardiologist today because for the past week I am
experiencing extreme fatigue, dizziness and shortness
of breath.

I've had the pacemaker for 2 years and it took about a
year, and two cardiologists, to finally get my settings
correct. I never understood what was wrong with the pacer,
but the doctor was very concerned and even had a
representative of the company who made the pacemaker come
in to the office in order to find a solution.

I was one of those people who experienced the "rare
complications" with the surgery of the pacemaker. I was in
surgery for four hours while my family was told it would
only take 1-2 hours, part of my lung was punctured, fluid
built around my heart and was on heavy antibiotics. I was
told that there was so much blood loss during the surgery
that they were considering a blood transfusion! After
being in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks, I was finally sent
home. To this day I have no idea what went wrong in the
operating room. I wanted to get copies of all the records,
but the price was outrageous.

I'm wondering if there is a possibility that I am having
some type of pacemaker malfunction.

There is.

Quoted message said:

I am also taking Atenolol 0.25mg at night. What could be
causing this fatigue and feeling of being drained?

Along with a pacemaker malfunction, anemia is also a
possibility.

Quoted message said:

I usually have plenty of energy and lately I can barely
get up off the sofa to go to the bathroom. I feel as if I
could sleep all day.

Should I request some bloodwork to be done today in case I
have anemia?

Your cardiologist will likely order it if indicated.

Quoted message said:

I have been taking Potassium pills thinking it might
help, but it hasn't. As I am typing this I feel my eyes
closing and I had a full nights rest. My husband is
driving me to the appointment because he is afraid I may
fall asleep at the wheel. Does anyone have any advice for
me or suggestions for when I see my doctor? The
appointment is at 3pm.

Print this out and have your cardiologist read it.

Quoted message said:

Thanks so much for all who reply.

You are welcome, Amy.

May God watch over you, in Christ's name.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
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Just a detail : You may be tired because something is
depriving you of deep sleep. I wonder if the pacemaker can
be set to "low" during the night ?

liaM
PS. I know nothing about pacemakers but a bit about the
effects of shallow sleep during the night.

To be honest with you, I have no idea about the pacemaker
either!! I don't know what the settings are. I know for
nearly a year my rate was jumping up to 240 or something
like that. When I fall asleep I'm okay for most of the
night. Even when I get a full nights rest I have been
feeling drained. Last year I had passed out at work and
became unconcious so my co-workers called an ambulance and
it turned out I had low potassium. So I've been popping
potassium pills hoping this is the problem again.

"serge t" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:c4evom$sq7$1@news-
reader1.wanadoo.fr...

Quoted message said:

Just a detail : You may be tired because something is
depriving you of deep sleep. I wonder if the pacemaker can
be set to "low" during the night ?

liaM
PS. I know nothing about pacemakers but a bit about the
effects of shallow sleep during the night.

Dr. Andrew, I have actually had problems with anemia in the
past and it didn't even occur to me that I may have it
again. Thank you for stating that about being anemic!!

I didn't think about printing this out....but I most
definitely will. Many times I forget to tell him things that
are very important. I also have put off seeing him because
of no insurance. My last visit costs me over $500 since he
thought I may have fluid around the heart and did an echo.
Now I have no choice but to see him. I have four children
who need me and I can't stand feeling exhausted and drained.

Actually, I was laid off due to "reduction-in-force" after
my passing out episode at work. I was there for 5 years
working in accounts payable, making good money, full
benefits for myself and my children...well, I guess they saw
me as a liability and got rid of me. What really hurts is
that they put the receptionist in my office to do my work,
even after I was told that my position was just "no longer
needed". Unfortunately, I can't sue since Louisiana is an
at-will state. But I did find out the other day from someone
who works there and still emails me that the boss who got
rid of me was having chest pains so bad that HE got rushed
to the hospital. Hope the poor thing doesn't have "heart
problems".....sorry had to vent.

I guess what comes around goes around. I had told him on my
way out the door that it must be nice to have "perfect
health" and that maybe oneday he will become ill as I did
and go through the same thing. Karma's a [censored] ain't it.

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Amy said:

I'm a 34 year old woman who is 100% pacer dependent due
to complete

heart

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

blockage. I have an appt with my cardiologist today
because for the past week I am experiencing extreme
fatigue, dizziness and shortness of

breath.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I've had the pacemaker for 2 years and it took about a
year, and two cardiologists, to finally get my settings
correct. I never understood

what

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

was wrong with the pacer, but the doctor was very
concerned and even had

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

representative of the company who made the pacemaker
come in to the

office

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in order to find a solution.

I was one of those people who experienced the "rare
complications" with

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

surgery of the pacemaker. I was in surgery for four
hours while my

family

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

was told it would only take 1-2 hours, part of my lung
was punctured,

fluid

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

built around my heart and was on heavy antibiotics. I
was told that

there

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

was so much blood loss during the surgery that they were
considering a

blood

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

transfusion! After being in the hospital for 2 1/2
weeks, I was finally

sent

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

home. To this day I have no idea what went wrong in the
operating room.

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wanted to get copies of all the records, but the price
was outrageous.

I'm wondering if there is a possibility that I am having
some type of pacemaker malfunction.

There is.

Quoted message said:

I am also taking Atenolol 0.25mg at night. What could be
causing this fatigue and feeling of being drained?

Along with a pacemaker malfunction, anemia is also a
possibility.

Quoted message said:

I usually have plenty of energy and lately I can barely
get up off the sofa to go to the

bathroom.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I feel as if I could sleep all day.

Should I request some bloodwork to be done today in case
I have anemia?

Your cardiologist will likely order it if indicated.

Quoted message said:

I have been taking Potassium pills thinking it might
help, but it hasn't.

As I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

am typing this I feel my eyes closing and I had a full
nights rest. My husband is driving me to the appointment
because he is afraid I may fall asleep at the wheel.
Does anyone have any advice for me or suggestions

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

when I see my doctor? The appointment is at 3pm.

Print this out and have your cardiologist read it.

Quoted message said:

Thanks so much for all who reply.

You are welcome, Amy.

May God watch over you, in Christ's name.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

** Who is the humblest person in the universe?
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What is all this about?
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Amy said:

Dr. Andrew, I have actually had problems with anemia in
the past and it didn't even occur to me that I may
have it again. Thank you for stating that about being
anemic!!

You are welcome.

Quoted message said:

I didn't think about printing this out....but I most
definitely will. Many times I forget to tell him things
that are very important.

You are not alone. My patients often email me with those
questions they "forgot to ask."

Quoted message said:

I also have put off seeing him because of no insurance. My
last visit costs me over $500 since he thought I may have
fluid around the heart and did an echo. Now I have no
choice but to see him.

Why?

Quoted message said:

I have four children who need me and I can't stand feeling
exhausted and drained.

May God provide for you and yours, in Christ's name.

Quoted message said:

Actually, I was laid off due to "reduction-in-force" after
my passing out episode at work. I was there for 5 years
working in accounts payable, making good money, full
benefits for myself and my children...well, I guess they
saw me as a liability and got rid of me. What really hurts
is that they put the receptionist in my office to do my
work, even after I was told that my position was just "no
longer needed". Unfortunately, I can't sue since Louisiana
is an at-will state.

What does that mean? Are there really no trial lawyers in
your state?

Quoted message said:

But I did find out the other day from someone who works
there and still emails me that the boss who got rid of me
was having chest pains so bad that HE got rushed to the
hospital. Hope the poor thing doesn't have "heart
problems".....sorry had to vent.

Your blessings from God will be greater if you can bring
yourself to pray for your boss who has trespassed
against you.

Quoted message said:

I guess what comes around goes around. I had told him on
my way out the door that it must be nice to have "perfect
health" and that maybe oneday he will become ill as I did
and go through the same thing. Karma's a [censored] ain't it.

God's plans are greater than any karma or dharma.

You remain in my prayers, Amy, in Christ's name.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

**
Who is the humblest person in the universe?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

What is all this about?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

Is this spam?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

"Amy" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

To be honest with you, I have no idea about the pacemaker
either!! I don't know what the settings are. I know for
nearly a year my rate was jumping up to 240 or something
like that. When I fall asleep I'm okay for most of the
night. Even when I get a full nights rest I have been
feeling drained. Last year I had passed out at work and
became unconcious so my co-workers called an ambulance and
it turned out I had low potassium. So I've been popping
potassium pills hoping this is the problem again.

Sorry to hear about the complications you faced following
your pacemaker implant.

Jumps in your heart rate up to 240 can suggest certain heart
rhythm problems, sometimes even related to the programming
of the pacemaker!

I am assuming that you are taking atenolol 25 mg at bedtime,
rather than 0.25 mg. Some people are very sensitive to beta-
blockers. You didn't mention why your cardiologist has you
taking atenolol. Have you had supraventricular tachycardia
in the past?

As Dr Chung had suggested, the anemia angle would be
worthwhile to pursue, particularly if you have had issues
with anemia in the past. Potassium supplements, however, are
probably not going to help much with anemia, and can be
dangerous if taken in excess.

There are several issues that can all be interacting
within you that are beyond the scope of this newsgroup.
These are all of the issues that would best be brought up
with your doctor.

In addition to the syncope you had last year, have you ever
had weakness in association with your hypokalemia? Just in
the mood for hunting zebras.

- TC, md Pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology

Thank you Dr. Andrew for your kind responses and
prayers......my family and I need all the help we can get.

When I say that Louisiana is an at will state, that means
that an employer can fire you or lay you off for any reason.
I've called many attorneys in the New Orleans area (where I
am from) and they all told me that couldn't take my case for
discrimination since Louisiana is an "at will" state. Sucks
doesn't it?

When I found out that my boss had to go to the emergency
room from chest pains, I immediately felt as if justice was
done, but I know it's wrong. I don't wish for him to have
heart problems as I do, but I do hope that now he realizes
that not everyone is in perfect health and that what he did
to me was discrimination plain and simple.

I went to the cardiologist today and the pacemaker is
working fine and the EKG also showed no problems. He was
very thorough and he did order the bloodwork done. He said
he wanted to check my white blood cell count and also check
me for anemia and my potassium level. He said he should have
the results tomorrow.

Thank you for responding I really appreciate your advice and
especially the prayers!!!!

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Amy said:

Dr. Andrew, I have actually had problems with anemia in
the past and it didn't even occur to me that I may
have it again. Thank you for stating

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

about being anemic!!

You are welcome.

Quoted message said:

I didn't think about printing this out....but I most
definitely will.

Many

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

times I forget to tell him things that are very
important.

You are not alone. My patients often email me with those
questions they

"forgot

Quoted message said:

to ask."

Quoted message said:

I also have put off seeing him because of no insurance.
My last visit costs me over $500 since he thought I may
have fluid around the heart and did an echo. Now

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have no choice but to see him.

Why?

Quoted message said:

I have four children who need me and I can't stand
feeling exhausted and drained.

May God provide for you and yours, in Christ's name.

Quoted message said:

Actually, I was laid off due to "reduction-in-force"
after my passing

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

episode at work. I was there for 5 years working in
accounts payable,

making

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

good money, full benefits for myself and my
children...well, I guess

they

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

saw me as a liability and got rid of me. What really
hurts is that they

put

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the receptionist in my office to do my work, even after
I was told that

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

position was just "no longer needed". Unfortunately, I
can't sue since Louisiana is an at-will state.

What does that mean? Are there really no trial lawyers in
your state?

Quoted message said:

But I did find out the other day from someone who works
there and still emails me that the boss who got rid of
me was having chest pains so bad that HE got rushed to
the hospital. Hope the

poor

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thing doesn't have "heart problems".....sorry had
to vent.

Your blessings from God will be greater if you can bring
yourself to pray

for

Quoted message said:

your boss who has trespassed against you.

Quoted message said:

I guess what comes around goes around. I had told him on
my way out the

door

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that it must be nice to have "perfect health" and that
maybe oneday he

will

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

become ill as I did and go through the same thing.
Karma's a [censored] ain't

it.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

God's plans are greater than any karma or dharma.

You remain in my prayers, Amy, in Christ's name.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

** Who is the humblest person in the universe?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

What is all this about?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

Is this spam? makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

Dr. Chun, yes I'm taking 25mg of the Atenolol at bedtime. He
prescribed it for supraventricular tachycardia, even
with the pacemaker I still get dizzy spells and
shortness of breath. What exactly is hypokalemia....is
that anemia? I went to the cardiologist today who did
want bloodwork done. He wants to check me for anemia, my
potassium level and the white blood cell count. I told
him that for about 3 months I've been having a low grade
fever that comes and goes. He suggested going to an
internist to find out what the problem is. He asked me
if I had any type of bladder problems or burning and I
told him no. So that rules out bladder infections. I'll
just have to wait and see what the results of the
bloodwork show.

He originally had me on Toprol, but when I lost my insurance
I could no longer afford it so he switched me to the
Atenolol since it only cost me about $11.00. The only side
effect I have from that is shortness of breath after I take
it and I feel a heaviness in my chest. I told him this today
and it didn't seem to concern him too much. He also has me
on 0.5mg of Xanax as needed for that butterfly feeling I
have quite often.

"Terrence Chun, MD" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Amy" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

To be honest with you, I have no idea about the
pacemaker either!! I don't know what the settings are. I
know for nearly a year my rate was jumping up to 240 or
something like that. When I fall asleep I'm okay for
most of the night. Even when I get a full nights rest I
have been feeling drained. Last year I had passed out at
work and became unconcious so my co-workers called an
ambulance and it turned out I had low potassium. So I've
been popping potassium pills hoping this is the problem
again.

Sorry to hear about the complications you faced following
your pacemaker

implant.

Quoted message said:

Jumps in your heart rate up to 240 can suggest certain
heart rhythm

problems,

Quoted message said:

sometimes even related to the programming of the
pacemaker!

I am assuming that you are taking atenolol 25 mg at
bedtime, rather than

.25 mg.

Quoted message said:

Some people are very sensitive to beta-blockers. You
didn't mention why

your

Quoted message said:

cardiologist has you taking atenolol. Have you had
supraventricular

tachycardia in the

Quoted message said:

past?

As Dr Chung had suggested, the anemia angle would be
worthwhile to pursue, particularly if you have had issues
with anemia in the past. Potassium

supplements,

Quoted message said:

however, are probably not going to help much with anemia,
and can be

dangerous if

Quoted message said:

taken in excess.

There are several issues that can all be interacting
within you that are

beyond the scope

Quoted message said:

of this newsgroup. These are all of the issues that would
best be brought

up with your

Quoted message said:

doctor.

In addition to the syncope you had last year, have you
ever had weakness

in

Quoted message said:

association with your hypokalemia? Just in the mood for
hunting zebras.

- TC, md Pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology

"Amy" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Dr. Chun, yes I'm taking 25mg of the Atenolol at bedtime.
He prescribed it for supraventricular tachycardia,
even with the pacemaker I still get dizzy spells and
shortness of breath. What exactly is hypokalemia....is
that anemia? I went to the cardiologist today who did
want bloodwork done. He wants to check me for anemia,
my potassium level and the white blood cell count. I
told him that for about 3 months I've been having a
low grade fever that comes and goes. He suggested
going to an internist to find out what the problem is.
He asked me if I had any type of bladder problems or
burning and I told him no. So that rules out bladder
infections. I'll just have to wait and see what the
results of the bloodwork show.

Hypokalemia means low potassium. Sorry about that.

- TC, md Pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology.

Amy said:

Thank you Dr. Andrew for your kind responses and
prayers......

Your welcome.

Quoted message said:

my family and I need all the help we can get.

I sense that. Christ's help is all the help we could
ever need :-)

Quoted message said:

When I say that Louisiana is an at will state, that means
that an employer can fire you or lay you off for any
reason. I've called many attorneys in the New Orleans area
(where I am from) and they all told me that couldn't take
my case for discrimination since Louisiana is an "at will"
state. Sucks doesn't it?

You could take it to the federal level.

Quoted message said:

When I found out that my boss had to go to the emergency
room from chest pains, I immediately felt as if justice
was done, but I know it's wrong. I don't wish for him to
have heart problems as I do, but I do hope that now he
realizes that not everyone is in perfect health and that
what he did to me was discrimination plain and simple.

God will judge.

Quoted message said:

I went to the cardiologist today and the pacemaker is
working fine and the EKG also showed no problems. He was
very thorough and he did order the bloodwork done. He said
he wanted to check my white blood cell count and also
check me for anemia and my potassium level. He said he
should have the results tomorrow.

Good.

Quoted message said:

Thank you for responding I really appreciate your advice
and especially the prayers!!!!

All praises belong to my Lord and Savior.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

**
Who is the humblest person in the universe?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

What is all this about?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

Is this spam?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

Yes weakness and dizziness.......absolutely......when I
arrived at the E/R I was told it was from low potassium aka
hypokalemia. I learned a new medical term thanks lol!

Quoted message said:

Hypokalemia means low potassium. Sorry about that.