My PM has been in for 3 weeks and I have had two severe episodes of AF very debilitating and lasting 18hrs eventually under control with 300ml Flecanaide 100 every 6 hrs. Makes me very washed out. Anyone else had this does it settle down?

 

Hi Everyone:) For those of you who know me & for those of you who notice I comment & post on this site quite frequently - I just wanted to let you know why I haven't been around lately. (One of these days - and I'm thinking of you Patch - LOL - I'll learn how to tell a story that's not so dam lengthy.)

I was due to have MY cardiac echo on January 31st, however, approximately 4:45am that morning my husband, Lloyd, awoke me very suddenly. I thought I had overslept and was going to miss my appointment but that was NOT the case. I was still half asleep, of course, and all I remember was him passing me the stethoscope saying "listen to this, I don't feel right". (We just happen to have a stethoscope in the house.) His heart wa...

 

Sometimes we all focus on the negatives of our diseases and the limitations that get placed upon us.. however I thought this was a wonderful story to share. Check it out!. Its a unique story about a girl who was forced to have a heart transplant after getting cardiomyopathy and in the span of 6 months has gotten healthy enough to go back to competing in her dream sport of gymnastics! With determination.. sometimes the impossible can become possible!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705398710/Utah-teen-defies-the-odds-competes-at-gymnastics-meet-with-a-new-heart.html?s_cid=s10

 

YEAH, I just got me a brand spankin new St. Jude Pacemaker. It has this feature in it that they may automatically take readings without me going in. I have something like wifi. I have a machine at home that takes readings and relays them back to St. Jude monitoring. The doctor went over my existing scar and did a great job. It was easy, same day in and out. I haven't yet named this one, I was thinking Betsy.

Anyone have any names for my new PM? I am open to suggestions. To all of my PM family, thanks for being here. Love to all.

 

I am healthy and my freind is dying. Can I get a pacemaker and give her my heart?

 

I am a healthy 53 year old. My friend is 44, a mom and a wonderful person. She needs a donor today, I spoke with her husband and found out the routine of getting her a heart. My question is... can I trade her my heart and take her pacemaker? From what I have looked up on the information on pacemakers, It would be best for me to live another 20 years and take my chances. Than, for her to die tomorrow. Please advise.

Tricia

 

Thank you, Laben, Melena and Fishfighter for your helpful comments. Great you have had no shocks, Fishfighter. Take care. Thank you, Paul, for your concern for my family after my daughter's death. I am so sorry your heart was attacked by a sneaky virus, also. I believe you mentioned more than once. I hope your medication continues to help you. Thank you Grateful Heart for asking about my daughter. Nothing family seems complete without her here, and the things that will never be just keep adding up, but I thank God for each and every year He shared his precious chlld with us. Hopeful Heart

 

Hello! Yesterday morning I had a pacemaker implanted. Te device is Biotronik Evia SR-T. Does anyone else have this device? How is it working for you?

I dont have any pain unless I move then it's intense pressure and soreness not what I would call pain. My pacer was set to 70 beats a minute and I noticed that even though my heart rate was in the high 70's and low 80's it was pacing. I also notices that my heart rate was in the low 60's and high 50's when resting. After speaking to the dr about this he sent someone to interrogate my pacer and found out that the sensitivity was set too high and my pacin rate was only 60 and not 70. The tech reprogrammed my pacer and I'm feeling much better.

 

I just got pacemaker and defibulator. Can I go to Japaneese restaurant with those big ( I think)electric tables for dinner? Or is it a magnetic hazard like MRI or airport which I should avoid?

 

Well I returned to the caridologist yesterday and had my pacemaker settings adjusted to stop hopefully the dizziness and pre-syncope episodes. I had some rhythms of PVCS and PACs and some tachycardia.Oh well I'm setting working in the ER.

 

Hi all just had a PM put in me last Monday. Long story short, went in for an ablation, primary doc told me afterwards all was good home next day. Middle of night awakened on multiple occasions with bright lights due to the other person in the room. Hence my body was flooded with adrenaline. (Ret Service) Told next day I had too low of a heart rate to go home held over till Monday. HR was 39 to 40 while sleeping, NORMAL for me. NO dizziness, no fainting, no trouble breathing. I do good cardio workout 3 to 4 times weekly. No blockage. Bad sleep for three nights due to roommate being a night person up all night. Made decision if my doc recommended it I would get the PM. New doc shows up Monday. I am tired and wore out from an unplanned extend...

 

Hi all just had a PM put in me last Monday. Long story short, went in for an ablation, primary doc told me afterwards all was good home next day. Middle of night awakened on multiple occasions with bright lights due to the other person in the room. Hence my body was flooded with adreneline. (Ret Service) Told next day I had too low of a heart rate to go home held over till Monday. HR was 39 to 40 while sleeping, NORMAL for me. NO dizziness, no fainting, no trouble breathing. I do good cardio workout 3 to 4 times weekly. No blockage. Bad sleep for three nights due to roomate being a night person up all night. Made desicion if my doc recommended it I would get the PM. New doc shows up Monday. I am tired and wore out from an unplanned e...

 

Thank you to each of you who shared your experience/knowledge about third leads. I am hesitant at this time to add another lead as long as my condition is stable. Because the heart virus in 2004 left me with 25% heart function, I know I need to weigh all decisions carefully. Think it is great we have a place to share our experiences/knowledge and give each other our understanding. It has really been challenging for me since my daughter is with God now from sudden cardiac arrest during an asthma attack last May. I now have her two children to love and guide without their Mom. I know it is especially hard for the children for grandma to still be here instead of their mom, but we are taking it day by day. I am trying hard for my d...

 

My low rate is now at 80 bpm.... I forgot to ask him if the rate drop response was still set. I should have had my question written, I usually do. I don't think he would change it knowing the severe drops I have had over the years. He said even when it was on 70bpm, I was still having drops. I am now on Midodrine 5mg 3 times a day. I will call Medtronic directly, they will tell me. I actually called yesterday and the rep explained some of the features on the pacemakers. I was hoping my cardiologist would have called the company directly. I guess I am just nervous about the change..after a couple of days I will be more confident with the change.

 

I'm a returning member,greetings to all my fellows PM Sep 27,2011 I had a PM inplanted i"m steel trying to get used to it. For the past month I have been having tightnes in my chest and I feel like someone is choking me, and with it I get bouts of fast breading fallowed by regular breaths and then I start all over again.Because of it I was hospitalized for three days.They monitored my PM and told me that I have PVCs and those could cause the fast breading. I have not yet seing the Dott. that put the PM.in.If anyone has or had this problem please let me know.Does my Dott. need to adjust the PM,or I have something else to worry about.I'm tired I have not slept well in over a month as have those feeling when iI try to go to sleep. Thank you t...

 

Hi Everyone- Im feeling much better- have my anxiety under control. I even had a patient of mine in the ED with a pacemaker tell me that when he got his he was sad but now he realizes that he is still here because he has more to do in life and is thankful- this helped me.

However- I am going to play paintball in two days with my neighbors (i have never played before). I have seen people get welts from paintball and made a big patch of padding and foam to put over my pacemaker- do you think this is enough? Should I back out and not go play paintball- any advice would be great! Not sure if I should risk it- but I also dont want to limit myself in things that I can do because I think I cant.

Thanks!

 

At my last PM appointment I was told my heart rate never got much above 80 bpm. I have noticed that when I exert myself it will often send my heart into AFB that lasts as long as a day. I suspect that my heart has a sinus rhythm problem when it is asked to exceed the 80 bpm. It has happened before during a stress test etc before I got my pm. My 2 wire pacemaker does not do anything during these episodes. Any comments?

 

I currently have 2 leads. My cardiologist has mentioned the possibility of adding a third. If you have three leads, please share your experience as to improvement in actual heart function and/or complications. Thank you. Hopeful Heart

 

Great, positive name! I am concerned about your incision difficulty. Could you possibly have an allergy/sensitivity to a product(s) in your device/lead(s)? Please continue to seek the answer to your difficulty. Wish I could be of more help. Hopeful Heart

 

I have just returned from a 3 day trip away, with me doing all the driving for the first time. My husband is unable to drive at the moment so I thought if we want to go anywhere I had better take over. We went to Moeraki which is a little fishing town which is famous for its boulders which are all rounded. We went about 360 km, we enjoyed a walk to the lighthouse and got some pics of seals.( I also got stuck down the bottom of a hill when we were walking but that is another story.) I am so thankful for my pm as I would never have been able to plan a trip before because my health was so unpredictable. Hope you are all doing well.
Regards Jane

 

I have just returned from a 3 day trip away, with me doing all the driving for the first time. My husband is unable to drive at the moment so I thought if we want to go anywhere I had better take over. We went to Moeraki which is a little fishing town which is famous for its boulders which are all rounded. We went about 360 km, we enjoyed a walk to the lighthouse and got some pics of seals.( I also got stuck down the bottom of a hill when we were walking but that is another story.) I am so thankful for my pm as I would never have been able to plan a trip before because my health was so unpredictable. Hope you are all doing well.
Regards Jane

 

Today is my pm's half birthday! Any excuse to eat chocolate cake. Feeling very fortunate and grateful for my little buddy Duracella.

 

Hi all, I am writing for my Mother who received her pace maker on Thanksgiving day 2011. We went back in today and they said lower lead is out...ugghhhh. She is to have it done again on Tuesday 2/7. I am so scared about what will happen again!!! They perferated her heart last time (which they tell me is rare). Anyone had this? What should I expect for her ect...Also, on top of everything she has dementia so I have to really try to understand how things are for her....any help would be appreciated. Thank you

 

Dear sirs

1-Pls advise me about the interference of shaving machine.

2-In your poll file some people say their pacemaker interfer

with wi-fi and you say it does,t.

3-I live in tehran-iran and the name of iran is not included in the

list of countrys.I also,use a 2A made in china wi-fi.Pls advise.

 

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone here had been diganosed with pulmonary hypertension and had a successful pregnancy?

Due to the doctors mistake of giving me permission to have a baby and then failing to tell me that my echocardiogram showed that I developed pulmonary hypertension, I became pregnant and now am dealing with the difficult decisions regarding the pregnancy as I was given a 50/50% chance of surviving the pregnancy. Thank you all in advance!

love and hugs,
britt<3

 

Hello friends with pace, I just recently joined the club maybe I thought that if I didn't face it maybe it wasn't a problem however I am little older and I am very grateful that i had a chance to find this web site I have read alot of stories in the last couple of days that have helped me i wish I would have done it sooner.
About me I am a female 34 years I got my pacemaker when I was 15 it was life changing but i did not understand that at the time I got my 1st pacemaker on September 29 1992. That one got changed in May 2002. And on November 30, 2006 during my 4th pregnancy I had to have surgery because the battery was losing it charge pretty rapidly I was awake the whole time but it was ok, anxiety for like 2days then It was cool. W...

 

I am a grateful heart! I am grateful for my ICD. I am grateful to God and for the great doctors who have helped me feel and function so much better. I am grateful for my husband and sons and their support. I am grateful for this site and the knowledgeable and kind people on it. I’m even grateful for the doctors I had to fire when they didn’t listen to me, since that led me to the great team of doctors I have now. I ask a lot of questions and try to educate myself about this amazing device.

I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy due to a virus, SSS and left bundle branch block in May ’08; ICD implanted in December ’08. 18 days later, some fluid around the heart. After that was resolved, I was progressing nicely over the ...

 

Good evening anyone,
I am now 66, had my Pacemaker implanted at age 57. Never had any problems until then. Is 57 an early age for this? Is there any connection to PTSD. Served as a infantryman in Vietnam in the 60's, gunshot wound 6 months into the "tour". ( extremenities, not body mass proper) Any relationship to ischemic heart disease??

Any / all information greatly appreciated

Bruce A. Masters

 

i like to work out daily and want to increase my workouts but dont want to reach my max heart rate. does anyone know of a heart rate monitor that will work with an ICD.

 

Went to the doctor for pacemaker check early today and doctors comment was yep your pacing not to bad...I asked what it was and he said 80% ...It seems like he has told me this before..I have a Medtronic duel lead..Anyway I guess my question is does this sound to be alot...

 

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT ITS LIKE TO GET A MAMMOGRAM WITH A PACEMAKER? I CAN TELL YOU GETTING ONE WITH A LOOP MONITOR IS PURE HELL!! OF COURSE WHEN I ASK MY EP IF IT WAS OK TO GET HE AGAIN I SAID "HE" SAID IT WOULD BE FINE!!!!!

 

Hello all! I haven't been on here for a while! I just have a couple questions. I went for my check up yesterday and my doc had the pm rep adjust my pm to include the rate response! It's been working out good, but today, I've had a couple of episodes where above my left breast, around the pm site, I feel a burning sensation! I've had my pm for almost 2 yrs now and have never felt this before.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if so, did they get a diagnosis on what was going on? Thanks in advance for the info everyone!

Meg

 

I always read the posts' about feeling vibrations with a skeptical view. Well, I am now a believer because my left arm and hand are vibrating on a very regular basis. I never really understood what people were talking about before now.

For the last few days or up to a whole week, my left arm and left hand have been vibrating. At first I thought it was my phone. I couldn't hear it but I can feel it and finally figured out it is coming from my hand and arm!

So I have phoned the doc. they want to see me tomorrow morning and do a pacemaker check. I have the Merlin and he isn't doing anything special, like lights and noises, so I'm not too worried.

Because of this I do have a new found respect for people wi...

 

Hello To everyone, So now that we have been made aware from the Pennsylvania ground hog that we have 6 more weeks of winter I thought I would reach out and see if any of you are willing to share some insight for a friend of my. I recently had lunch with my Childrens ministry leader and we were talking about death and near death experiences, I shared with her my experience and later that day after pondering what I had shared she sent me the following question ".Kathy, I was thinking about our conversation because I've been doing a lot of reading and studying about heaven and hell. What have you heard from others who have had near death experiences if they don't see bright light as you did?".

Would anyone share to comment?

 

Don, thanks for your input. It sounds like you are more informed on this subject than I. John G.

 

Well it has been awhile since I have been on here. The joys of returning to work in the ER. I have had no episodes of passing out but yet have had pre-sycnope episodes and chest pain with flutter/ palpitation feeling. I return tomorrow to the MD to have my PM interrogated and see him. Hope all goes well. Maybe he won't tell me I'm screwed up but hey the people I work with know I am lol

 

Hey everyone, Have been reading lately that scientists are predicting a possible crippling solar flare this year(2012).from what I am gathering a solar flare of a large magnitude will send an Electronic magnetic field(EMF)capable of frying all electronics on the planet, including pacemakers. Anyone have any reliable information on this. It seems to be very troubling to me. I know If I ask biotronik they will likely downplay the whole thing. Thanks John G.

 

Well It has been a while since my last post, I was trying to locate it... I have a question a year ago Mr Dr implanted a PM 2210 2 wire pace maker and set it for 80. with meds they never
could control the high Rate and a Fib, Well Jan 29th they ablated My AV Node and Im at home being released feb 8th to return to work, My question is the first few days I thought I felt better but I have noticed that my Heart rate stays at 80 no matter what im doing also my Pressure although not real low its 115/60 at times when i was in Cronic a fib and had the fast heart rate 130 pluse I actual could do more, how ever you cant substain life with that kind of constant rate. " Can Any One " tell me if they have the same results and should my pace...

 

i am very nervous 5 days out from my second surgery in 3 1/2 months. My lead came out of the lower part of my heart about 3 weeks after my first surgery. the dr wanted to wait atleast 3 months for me to heal before replacing the lead. He had to replace both leads when he went in this time and i am so scared to move or do anything in fear of dislodging them again. I know everyone says its hard for them to come loose but the first time i dont remember even doing anything to cause them to come loose.I was still sore from the previous surgery and now hurting alot. Is it safe to sleep on my right side or can that cause it to move. I am sure this all sounds so silly but my anxiety is causing alot of issues. Any suggestions or comments wo...

 

On Jan 17, 2012 I had a bi-ventricular pacemaker,defibulator installed. At first I felt AWESOME!!! but within days I was tired again, coughing and really sore where my pacemaker sits. I feel its large and I can see the buldge where it sits.
My question is--when does it start to get better? How long does it take to feel like you can walk around the block without stopping every few minutes to breathe.
Just picking up my 13 yr old from school drains me----and all I do is walk up to the truck and drive to pick her up (5 min away)drive home and walk into the house. Seriously --10-15 min round trip.
Any feedback out there, help if you can,please

 

My pacemaker was implanted yesterday and I got to go home this morning. He put in a SORIN GROUP DR REPLY pacemaker. Dual chamber. I don't need the ventricular lead right now but it's there for when I may need it.

The whole experience was a very good one. They implanted it under the skin because the pacemaker is so small and I have a lot of room there.

There is very little pain. It's pacing now at 60 atrial pacing only. I feel nothing. The rep came in and interrogated it this morning and changed something (?Threshold?) that I did not like at all. He was just testing it out. He put it back to where it was. The leads are all in place and I am set to go.

Now I can safely take my beta blockers witho...

 

Hugo Campos has a small computer buried in his chest to help keep him alive. But he has no idea what it says about his faulty heart.

All the raw data it collects, especially any erratic rhythms it controls with shocks, goes directly to the manufacturer. And some of it later gets sent to his doctor.

But Campos had to step onto a national stage in his fight to see the data his body produces.

His David-and-Goliath campaign puts him on the leading edge of what's called the "e-patient movement" -- "engaged, equipped and enabled" -- that seeks to harness data so patients can learn more about their bodies.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.mercurynews.com/health/ci_19847981

 

SEEM AS IF MY PACEMAKER ISNT MAKING MUCH DIFFERENCE IT WAS RESET TO A LOWER FREQUENCY BUT HAD AWICKED ATTACK OF PALPITATION AND WEAKNESS YESTERDAY HEART RATE WENT UP TO108 FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO PASS OUT WENT TO DOC HE TESTED EVRYTHING AND SAID IM OK JUT FEELING VERY TIRED AND DEFEATED.IS THIS NORMAL?

 

I had a very puzzling appointment with my cardiologist at Toronto General yesterday. I went for an echo, blood work and cardio-pulmonary. I then met with my cardiologist to review the results and that’s where it got confusing.

My cardio pulmonary results improved dramatically from 6 months prior (which was not surprising since my exercise routine had increased), but the echo demonstrated the my EF had dropped to 20% (I know this is not the best way to measure EF but 6 months earlier with the same equipment my EF was 3) also the echo showed that my heart had gotten larger 57 mm to 62 mm. So in short what is happening is that the structure of the heart worsen but the function of the heart is got better.

Anyone else co...

 

NCS/set pacer at 80?

Posted by kathy22 on 2012-02-01 12:06



I have a Medtronic pacer and it is set at 70, and is on the response mode. I have not been feeling well since December. My pacemaker has been adjusted twice and I am feeling every rate drop, get severe headache and have lost my appetite. I spoke to my cardiogist this morning and he said that I just have to work through it. I told him it was living hell, what I am going through. I used to have episodes every 3-4 months, would spend a day or 2 in bed and was fine for several more months. Then the episodes started happening every 2-3 weeks. I asked about setting the pacemaker 70 or 80 BPM and no rate response,he said it was worth a try. Has anyone ...

 

Hello Everyone
I have had a pacemaker now for 9 years,my ef is at 28 and i go in Monday to have a defibrillator put in ,I work for a telephone co.
do anyone know if there will be anything that i will not be able to work around other than up a pole were there is ac power

thank yall
and god bless u all
keith

 

Hello, I have had my ICD and PM for about 5 weeks. So far they are still messing with the setting and really hasn't helped my situation from what I can tell. Anyway my question is that since they started me back on higher doses of my medication after my last echo and found my EF was low again I have more shortness of breath and my nose seems more stuffy than usual. I have always needed allergy medication but just the normal dose. Now It is not unusual for me to take 3 different kinds of allergy medication a day. It helps the congestion of course but it also seems to help me breath easier and shortness of breath. Has anyone else had this happen to them. Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

There have been many discussions about who invented the first Implantable defibrillators (ICD), but in general it was accepted that Dr. Michel Mirowswki began development in the late 1960's and began implanting the first practical models in the 1980's.

I have doubts about Dr Mirowski being the first. In fact, to my mind there is clear evidence that implantable cardioversion defibrillators were in use in the early 1900's.
I cannot yet ascertain who exactly invented the ICD, but this information should erase doubts as to my assertions ~

Some of you who are into Astronomy may be familiar with the name Edwin Hubble, Phd. Actually most have heard his name, remember the Hubble telescope?

My research has un...

 

Dopo l'ultimo controllo semestrale ho notato nelle registrazioni alcuni episodi di frequenza ventricolare elevata (190/200) per 6 secondi di durata. Secondo voi devo preoccuparmi? grazie.

 

I have a Medtronic pacer and it is set at 70, and is on the response mode. I have not been feeling well since December. My pacemaker has been adjusted twice and I am feeling every rate drop, get severe headache and have lost my appetite. I spoke to my cardiogist this morning and he said that I just have to work through it. I told him it was living hell, what I am going through. I used to have episodes every 3-4 months, would spend a day or 2 in bed and was fine for several more months. Then the episodes started happening every 2-3 weeks. I asked about setting the pacemaker 70 or 80 BPM and no rate response,he said it was worth a try. Has anyone have their pacer set at 80BPM at a steady rate? I am nervous about it but can't live ...

 

As some of you know, I have a in line IV implant with a pump that pumps Dobutamine 24/7. Well last night around 1 am, I got woke up by an alarm from my pump. It was stating that the IV line was kinked. Well, it was clear. From there, I had changed out IV bags. Still the same alarm. From there, I had my wife go out to my truck to get my back up pump. I did get that sucker in service as fast as I could. At that point, I was feeling very bad, but within a hour, I started feeling better.

I did get on the phone and had called the people that supplyed the pump. She told me to call next time no matter what time it is and that if I couldn't get the pump running right within 5 mins, head to the nearest hospital fast. Nice to know that no...

 

Have a great 5 year anniversary !! Happy Birthday to your wife!!

 

Medtronic, a major med-tech company, is hoping that the next big thing will actually be small and cheap: a pacemaker for developing countries.

Read the article at http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/25/
a-foothold-for-healthtech-ultra-cheap-pacemakers/

 

Hi, I'm a new member! It's great to see a community of pacers where I can ask everything about my pace without calling or waiting for my doctor (for some case, for others you better call your doctor). Anyway, my question is I have just bought a PS3 device and I was reading the safety paper and it was speaking about the bluetooth and LAN wireless connection. Will it really affect my pace? I know it can from a certain distance, but... And as for a wireless controller command (manette in french, yes I'm french). Thanks and take care!

 

Tomorrow is week 8 post op. My bionic buddy has been pretty sore last few days. Been taking ibprophen regularly ... but should I use heat or ice on it? Internet research gives mixed results!

 

Hi,
Have just been to a pacer clinic for 1st checkup for my PM, had it done 4/1/2011, everything been going fine up till now, after having the PM checked started having fast heartbeat, (Have SSS) can the check start this, feeling really low now as it was all going so well.
Am on Flecainide twice a day and bisuprolol once a day, doctor at hospital increased bisuprolol to twice a day.
Has anybody else had this problem after a checkup.

Thanks

 

Had my pacemaker inserted on November 19th, 2011, but when I went for my 2 week check my atrial lead was "dropping some data" and had some noise. They took an x-ray and everything was in place, so they told me everything was fine. On Jan 19th, I went in to my cardiologist so the Medtronic rep could check out my PM, but the rep noticed the same issues and determined the lead was fractured. It's a St. Jude's lead, and my cardiologist had never seen them fracture before. So they scheduled a revision.

Under the knife this past Thursday, it turns out that the lead just wasn't making contact all the time with the actual PM. They cleaned it and retightened it and now I'm back out and at work.

My doc had never seen this...

 

Good morning all, got a good chuckle from Don this morning about the plumbing comment.... (by the way i explain my heart condition to people like this "there are two types of heart conditions- plumbing and electrical- mine is electrical"

I have a question please everyone... I have been told that my lead is moving away from its contact point in the heart and will need to be replaced.
First: Has anyone had this (my implant is only a year old)
Second: What symptoms (if any) does anyone have with this?
Third: Have you had the surgery and did it fix it? What was recovery like the second time around? Did they use the same scar to go in? Does the scar get worse after?

Yup lots of questions as I woke up this m...

 

Hi everyone,
So... I've said from the start that I 'stiill wasn't right'. After my fainting spell, I was sent to a specialist. HE will be operating this a.m. Something to do with the right side of tthe heart. He called the namme of the procedure, but didn't go into much detail. Not sure what he'll do, but hope it stops this almost constant quiver.

Anyone know what's goingbon? Enlighten me, thanks!

 

It's been 6 weeks since my pm was implanted. This past Sunday I got out in the barn did some moving , organizing and lifting. 1st time I've used my left arm in 6 weeks. Tonight I am having some pain that hurts when I cough , move and take deep breathes. I'm thinking it's the muscle under my pm that hasn't been used and is just sore ... My vitals are 121/61 and 61. Anyone else experience this ? The scar has healed up nice ! I can feel the pm under my skin .... Feel weed still ....

 

Hi, All. Today I was in Costco & saw the Mayo Clinic 2012 Heart Book (or whatever they call it).

Thumbed through it, looked at Table of Contents & Index & came to the last chapter on "How the Heart Works."

Not the FIRST word about the electrical system.

Guess we are what a friend always called the "Red-headed Step Children" of the heart world! AND, we wonder why we can sometime find so little help & support from our cardio friends.

Guess that's why we trake care of ourselves in this support group.

Don

 

My father, 79 years old, coded at home once and in the hospital 3 times two weeks ago. They inserted a pacemaker and it was a lifesaver!

However, after the pacemaker, his blood pressure was high. He was kept in the hospital for 3 days as they tried to find the combination of meds to get his blood pressure under control.

They discharged him on 3 blood pressure meds - all the max dosage. Well, now, at home, his blood pressure is fine in the morning - but in the evening time - after like 8:00 pm it shoots up to the 160 - 180 marks.

His PCP called in Clonidine to use only when it spikes up higher than 160 - and I have to give it to him almost every night. Has anybody else experienced this?

I...

 

Hi all, I hope everyone is happy and healthy. I am due to have my pacemaker replaced on March 15th at Papworth hospital. Whilst I was walking to work this morning i experienced a really shocking pain. I have had chest pains before that are quick and sharp and just except them as I was told that you cannot have heart surgery and a pm implanted without some pain. However, the one I had this morning was ten times worse and felt like it was giving lots of little shocks over the pm area and going right across my chest. Is this because I am due for a new pm soon or has anyone else had this experience? Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

Hi there.  I am a new member although I did have my pacemaker fitted in 2009.

I have noted a number of comments regarding Travel Insurance. Last Year (December) I travel to New Zealand & back to the UK without problem. However, the holiday was shortened by insurance companies who refused insurance for a longer period than 31 days. It is now 2012 and once again I have been looking for travel insurance, (world wide multi trip). This year, to date, I have tried six separate companies who state they cover known medical conditions for persons up to the age of 75.  I am only 70, however, the minute I mention I have a pacemaker & and the word arrhythmia I am told sorry we cannot cover you.

The pa...

 

Just thought I'd share this quote that I came across:

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one."

by C.S. Lewis

Sometimes we feel pretty alone, but if you stumble across this great site full of compassion & support, you know you have landed in the right place:)

Take care,
Pookie

 

Good afternoon PMC members.....I was just reading one of the posts about travel insurance.....what is that? I am from the US and I have never heard of this or what it is even for....Is it for traveling out of country or something along those lines? Whenever I am going on vacation I just jump on an airplane and have never given it another thought. I just thought I would ask as I said I have never heard of this....thanks.

 

I have a number of lymph nodes around ( that is the arm pit, and above collar bone) the site of my PM which is 3 years old. I have no signs of infection, and my fine needle biopsy/aspirate showed lymphoma in one node, and 'reactive' change in another. They took out the 'lymphoma node' and now the pathologist says that node is 'reactive change' only. I am wondering whether the PM is the cause?

The medical literature talks about inflammatory change in the pacemaker pocket. The mention of surrounding lymph node enlargement is not mentioned, though likely. I have no signs of infection/ inflammation, though do wonder whether because I do a lot of swimming, whether this has produced some inflammation of the implant site by frict...

 

Hello all,

Wondered if there were any Zumba fans out there as I need some advice on footwear.
I've been Zumba-ing for over a year now and been wearing Reebok Easytone trainers. They're wearing down so have been looking for replacements and was advised to look at dance sneakers? (I feel my old footwear are quite cumbersome). Then I got to thinking the dance sneakers wouldnt have the same shock absorption that my old trainers do?
I find that when I jump up and down on a hard surface (i.e road running) this sets off my lower chamber lead, which isnt a pleasant experience. I've managed ok up to now with Zumba, so wondered if thoughts were to stick with stodgy thick soled trainers or lovely flexible dance sneakers.

click to read more...

 

I am thinking to get a tattoo on top of my PM. The scares did not heal very well and I would like to covered with something that hide them a little bit. Have anyone had a tattoo on that area?

 

Hi there my chitterlings I have just a simple question....... Sue UK and I both have a similar thing.

QUIVERING from inside the chesticle area. I get it often at night, also I get it during the day but more often at night or perhaps it is that I notice it more then as it wakes me. I also have the shakes every now and then with a particularly lovely head twitch but I think that is more to do with my P.O.T.S .

The Quivering is not just when I read Patches items or thinking about him. Or thinking about Walkerd in his black t shirt holding a huge fish.

Now I have asked my GP but she did not seem particularly interested so have assumed it is nothing to worry about and have ignored it but I do wonder abo...

 

I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy over a year ago and have had a PM for about 11 months. I have been getting some mixed messages from my doctors on the amount of physical exercise that I can engage in. I would like to know what others have been told about getting back to full exercise and how soon. I would appreciate anyones comments

 

Hi Everyone,
So happy to have found this. I'm crying right now, I guess bc I know I'm (we are) not alone. I do not have a PM, but there might be a chance that my husband does. We are going to the doctor tomorrow. He was already on a 24hr monitor. He supposedly has an AV block. He has been anxious and depressed ever since Friday when they said he needed to come in ASAP. We are both turning 30 this year. We have considered ourselves athletic bc we go the gym and have both been playing basketball since high school. (and we are high school sweethearts). I love him so so much. If I could, I would trade hearts with him. I just don't understand why a healthy young person would need this? Thanks for reading. And so thankful for Pacemaker Club.

 

I would like to thank all those that replied to my message on here about travelling insurance for myself and my sister who is 75 with a pacemaker.
I certainly will look into direct cover instead of agencies.
Once again thank you all my friends
Fluzy Suzy

 

Hello my good friends.
Why oh why is insurance so expensive to fly just because someone has a pm. I always thought that a pm was like a safety device, apparently not so. My sister and I were going to Spain, just a 2 hour flight from the U.K. and has she has a pm with a defib, her insuance is £420 just for a 10 day stay,
Has anyone else had the same problem, whether it is because she will be 75 years old when travelling or the pm that is causing the expense, I do not know, I have enquired at several insurance companies and not much diff in any of them.
Am I thick or what, or do I have a point to say Insurance Companies are a con and charge whatever they want.,
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks my ...

 

Hi,

I'd like to know if there's a dating site dedicated to singles with 'physical challenges' such as living with a pacemaker/defibrillator.

I'm on a 'regular site' and have already been rejected because I have cardiac problems.

 

Hi,

I have put several questions on here about problems that I am having with my pacemaker/heart and have gotten really good replies so I thought I would give this a shot too. Besides having a pacemaker, I also have diabetes (Type 1), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Migraines (that have been getting worse and worse lately), Insomnia, Fibromyalgia, Depression and Anxiety. Needless to say, I have to take a lot of different medicines and when I go to the endocrinologist she only wants to look at the diabetic meds, the rheumatologist the arthritis meds etc etc. My internal medicine doc just seems to either not know what to do or that he doesn't have the time to look at everything. I live in Georgia (West Georgia) and would love to know if...

 

My mother is currently in her recovering period; 4th day post surgery. The initial area is still swollen and tender. There are times when she is hard of breathe and is stunned to where she holds her breathe a bit and, what she says, stays "stuck on stupid". That last bit is probably mental... but I do admit, she seems a bit off when the pain heightens and she can't move for a minute or two.

The pain was very intense at some point that she asked me to check her. So I checked her chest and there's a redness underneath her breasts; Looks like bruising.

Is this normal?

 

Hello Friends,

I have a non-heart related question for you good people.
Have any of you experienced a T12 vertebrae compression fracture and had it treated. I say it is not heart related question which is true, but the pain it brings with it may make you realize your heart must be stronger than you thought.

Anyway I had the problem diagnosed a few weeks ago and after enough tests to last a lifetime, as at one time they thought my problem may be from a tumor and that caused the additional tests and delay in treatment. The treatment procedure will be the "cement injection" and will be done this coming Tuesday,

I get a face to face meeting with the surgeon Monday and I have read all I can find on the su...