pacemaker problems

Posted By Helen on April 08, 1999 at 23:33:53:







I have recently undergone a 4 week course of prednisone following reinsertion of ventricular pacemaker lead, this lead caused localised irritation and pericarditis. The new lead is inserted into the septum of the heart. When I came down to 10 mg of prednisone I felt discomfort in the heart area, pain is too strong a word but I am aware of a feeling of heaviness and discomfort most of the time. I am also experiencing dreadful headaches and marked swelling around my eyes in the mornings, also fingers and wrists. Is this a side effect of prednisone withdrawal ( I did taper off very slowly but have had adrenal insufficiency in the past) or do you think it may be the heart causing the  problems? I have had recurrent pericarditis for 12 months following placement of the pacemaker and have had 2 lead repositionings in that time because of the inflammation they cause. I am confused about my symptoms and do not see the cardiologist until later this month, I live 500 miles away from the city. I had dreadful side effects on the prednisone so do not want to go back on that again, even though it did do a good job with the pain and inflammation. The swelling worries me but my jugular veins are not noticably 'up'.
Thank you for your time.
Helen