I'm 28 years old. I've had four episodes where I passed out without warning over the course of several years. I've had every test known to man, and now have a surgically implanted heart monitor. My holter monitor showed my heart stoping for 2 and 3 second intervals during my sleep. Last week, I went to my cardiologist to have my monitor checked and it showed my heart had stopped for 7 seconds. He now says I have to get a pacemaker. I'm not scared of the procedure--I've had a number of operations. However, I am worried about how it will effect my lifestyle. I am planning on having children in the near future. Also, I have a pretty bad back injury that would need future MRI's. Also, I have breast implants--the only way to detect a leak is an...

 

You've probably heard this story before. I am an active 54 year old male who received a dual chamber pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome on 12/30/09. I am 5 weeks post-op and am anxious to return to some strength training. I have already returned to running 4 days per week, 5-7 miles per day without any problems. Prior to surgery my strength training routine included such exercises as dumbbell shoulder press, dumbbell bench press, pushups, chinups, pullups, dips, and overhead squats. My repetition range is 6-12 for most exercises. Can I resume doing these exercises and if so, when? Thank you.

 

Hi,
Ok so here is the continuation of my saga between my doctors and me. I got a call from ym cardiologist this mornig and I missed his call because I was in the middle of dealing with a patient. He left a message telling me to call between 2-5. I did call at around 2:30 and his receptionist told me that he just went down to see a patient on the floor and he would call me when he gets back. I then called my G.P because I was concerned that he was calling me with bad news since at my last G.P's visit she told me that my cardiologist won't be returning my call because unless it was bad news she would tell me what is going on and leave the bad news to my cardiologist so I immediately went into panic mode worrying about what he was callin...

 

I read on another post and posted on that post about PM settings and being tired
feeling better etc etc
I feel better then before I had the PM... but I still get tired
not as bad as before... but its still there.....and Smitty my hubby has noticed that I have a lot more energy then before
but I have a question about what you said about the settings
of the PM? how many settings are there?
I know that my upper level is set to 140 which use to be 130 and the lower is at 50
which seems to work for me... but are there other settings that could be changed to work better?
I am sorry if this is a dumb question... but my Dr has not really explained the settings to well for me to understand.so when I re...

 

Hi. I have had my pacemaker/defib about 5 weeks. The lead for the left side has been shut off for a little over a week. I have to have it placed on the outside of my heart on Thur. How long is the recovery time for this surgery. How long does it take for the left side where the p/d was implanted to heal and feel normal again - does it ever feel normal again? There are still areas that are numb, but at the same time some areas that are painful and sting when I move my arm. I'm having a hard time with all this today, well have been for the past several days. Initially, I had to be opened up again the day right after initial surgery to replace the atrial lead which had let loose. Nothing has gone as I expected. The left side lead w...

 

Okay I am due for my mamogram.. so with the PM how does one do this? I have been hearing ultra sound is a better choice? Please let me know what all of you gals have done with this and the PM
Thank you :)

 

Since I am very new to these feelings I came to the place where I know I can get some answers.

My visiting nurse was here yesterday and even though I had severe pain and pressure in my chest all vitals were great. Because I suffer from fibromyalgia she said that the pain is much more exaggerated.

Well today I ventured out with my sister to the supermarket and while walking around I started to feel as though my heard was going to pound out of my chest. My pulse felt a little racy and I started to feel kind of sick. I took a deep breath and waited a while and then felt much better.

I had these weird kind of feelings previous to the pacemaker from my bradycardia and 2nd degree av block. So I am not sure if wha...

 

hi its me Patsy all is well with me starting to kinda feel normal again pm implant 10/28/09 i was just wondering has anyone with recent implants feel tired by the end of the day im exhausted never really been like this before pm im a very motivated person at age 48 an since pm i will go to work come home rest for about a hour then start my dinner clean up an i have nothing left in me you no girls as moms an wife home is our second job an i really like things clean an so so my husband helps with wash cause our wash machine is in basement an he doesnt want me carrying clothes up an down he so sweet but really i thought i would feel me energy since i have the energizer bunny in me any input anyone............one more question i live in new j...

 

I just had a new BVICD implanted to replace the older 2 lead pacemaker. When the additional 2 leads were insatlled, they have caused an occlusion in the vien. My left arm turns a redish color when hanging down below my heart. I have had a doppler and vinograph which were negative for a clot but the occlusion is there by the leads. I have no pain in my arm or numbness. I am on warfarin. Has anyone else had this problem? Will it clear up overtime as the leads settle in? My doctor has told me that only if I start to have more difficulty would he consider a stint.

 

Just got back from the Hematologist; had my bone marrow biopsy done, and boy did it hurt. He had a hard time getting biopsy and had to jiggle it around. Thank GOD its over :) My blood platelets are down more so the prednisone not working. He has me set up tomorrow for a 4 hr vein infusion of Gamma Globulin.

 

OK. It is officially 2 weeks since the eveready bunny became my cousin. I got a 2 lead PM on 1/25. I am 59 and ticking. The shoulder is finally starting to feel normal, which I realize is a mixed blessing because it is harder to remember to keep it down. Hubby said he was going to tie it down if he saw me raise it, which so far I have not. I really don't want anything to happen to those leads...I want them to stay put.
My question is how long do the steri strips stay on? I think they are growing into my skin, They said don't pull them off - they would fall off. Has anyone every had them stay on forever????. Seems like I am being alittle whiny with all that everyone here has to deal with, because overall I feel great! Bef...

 

I had been scheduled for a follow up mri this year but since i had my pacemaker inplanted this past October I know that can't be done.
Any other options? It's for a head/brain scan.
Thanks Finn

 

Hi :)
Does anyone have achey legs?
blood pressure is fine and pulse is fine..legs not swollen and no red marks...
I don't underswtand the achey leg deal?
I have had my PM for 3 months and the achey leg thing started off and on about a month ago....
I suppose I better call the Dr and find out...
I just wondered if anyone experienced something like this
Thank you

 

I just found out a close friend of the family recently had a PM implant. He is about 46 years old, married with two young children. He lives in Ft. Stockton, Tx., but the nearest big hospital, I think, is San Angelo. I hear he is doing okay, I hope.

I am mailing him a note introducing him to the PM Club & urging him to join. I was wanting to send a few jokes and "cartoons" from the PM Club "Joke" forum. I printed out a few of the written jokes, but what I am really wanting/needing is the pics. of jokes, but do not know how/where to find them. I have seen one of a man carrying a car battery in something like, needing to change his PM battery ~ it was really cute. Where do I locate the "cartoon" type jokes (pics w/funnies)?...

 

Hi Everyone,
It is late Sunday here and I have had the worst weekend so far. I told you about my G.P appointment on Thrusday and she was going to look into follow up for the results of my event recorder. She sent me an email this weekend asking me how willing I am to undergo another pacemaker surgery. I'm very scared. The first one I had got very infected with staph and I ended up in the hospital for almost 2 weeks and had to have it out and on very strong antibiotics. She also told me that I'm having a-fib and SVT again so now I have both fast and slow rhythms and the a-fib is new. I am so scared. I don't know what any of this means. I am going to see her on Wednesday for follow up to our appointment on Thrusday, but still haven't se...

 

what are you questions about a bone marrow biopsy... I can help you.

 

Found this at www.hrtcare.com

WARNING -----> VERY LONG POSTING

Neurocardiogenic Syncope

Syncope (fainting) is one of the most common medical ailments encountered in clinical practice. Although frequently thought of as a condition with a neurological origin, it’s actually a cardiovascular problem - as such, a neurologic work-up is seldom rewarding. The two main causes of syncope are cardiac arrhythmias and neurocardiogenic (vasovagal, vasodepressor) syndromes. In both of these conditions, blood circulation to the brain is reduced, resulting in temporary loss of consciousness.


Among the arrhythmias causing syncope, tachycardias (fast heartbeats), particularly those of ventricular origin, ra...

 

Hi again.

I was just remembering one of our members asking about headaches after having his/her pacemaker, some of us even experience dizziness and the feeling that you're going to faint.

Well, here are 2 articles that help explain what Pacemaker Syndrome is.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1502063


http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/159706-overview

I'm in the helping mode today :)


Pookie

 

Does anyone have any experience with accidentally missing a 25mg dose? It says not to stop taking abrupty...but I've only been on it for 3 days....I forgot a day.

Should be fine I think.....thought I'd ask!
Thanks

 

Just trying to help out the newbies.....


Now that you have a pacemaker (or soon may get one), you may be wondering why you need one and how a pacemaker works. Your artificial pacemaker is a modern marvel; it's medical science's solution to the electrical problems of a slow or irregular heartbeat. But before you can understand how your pacemaker works, you first need to know a little about your heart. Basically, your heart is a pump made of special muscle. It pumps blood to all your body's cells. This is vital, because the blood carries oxygen and nourishment to keep your cells alive and healthy.

Your heart beats (pumps blood) because special cells in your heart (the heart's natural pacemaker, called the si...

 

Managing Your Pacemaker

Do your part in managing your pacemaker. You may have to have someone help you, but there are certain things you'll need to do to manage your pacemaker successfully. These include:
Understand your acceptable heart rate. Before you leave the hospital, discuss with your doctor the specific maximum heart rate above your pacemaker rate that's acceptable. Discuss the programmed lower and upper rate for your pacemaker, too. Talking about this with your doctor early in your treatment will keep you from worrying unnecessarily.

Take your pulse and keep a record for your doctor. Counting your pulse is a good way to check that your heart is pumping correctly. Every time your heart beats, it pumps bl...

 

Hi everyone, with so many "newbies" lately I thought it might be of some help to repost some really informative articles I found.



Found in today's American Heart Association Newsletter:

When taken exactly as prescribed, medications can do wonders. They can help prevent heart attack and stroke. They can also prevent complications and slow the progression of coronary heart disease. Make sure that your doctor knows all the drugs you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and natural supplements. Discussing all the drugs you take will help you prevent serious side effects and help the medications have their desired effects.

In this list of medications used to treat arrhythmias, we've included ...

 

Hi everyone, found the following information from the Mayo Clinic Website.....and it's understandable!! yippee.

Ejection fraction is a measurement of the capacity at which your heart is pumping.

During each heartbeat cycle, the heart contracts and relaxes. When your heart contracts, it ejects blood from the two pumping chambers (ventricles). When your heart relaxes, the ventricles refill with blood. No matter how forceful the contraction, it doesn't empty all of the blood out of a ventricle. The term "ejection fraction" refers to the percentage of blood that's pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat.

Because the left ventricle is the heart's main pumping chamber, ejection fraction is usually ...

 

How about using my inversion table? Has anyone used one?

 

I thought I would like to have a question answered by some one about chest X-Rays of PM & leads. A number of years ago I had a routine chest X-Ray and caught just a glimse of my X-Ray as the nurse walked by. I asked her if I could see it as I already had irritation started around my PM pouch.

Now, this particular test was not for checking PM positioning or leads. The nurse was happy to let me do a thorough look at the X-ray. The definition was excelllant, looked good to me, too good.
As being in electronics all my life, I couldn't believe seeing every circuit component on the circuit board inside the PM???? This was on my 3rd Medtronic Enrthym PM. How could one get this through a Titanium enclosure?? It has bug...

 

Just had my pacemaker put in last Tuesday and my shoulder feels so achy and my chest is achy too especially when I first wake up or if I laugh (so better not do that!). It's so hard to sleep normally and I think that is why I feel stiff because I'm on the couch, then in the bed, then on the chair.... I'm afraid to sleep on my left side for fear of moving my pacemaker. Also I am so paranoid about moving my left arm for fear of the leads coming out and when I laugh too I'm afraid they will pop out. How do they put the leads in to secure them? As you can see, I'm getting a little paranoid. Oops...one more question....It said to take the bandage off in 3 days and shower and that if there was a butterfly bandage underneath those, to leave...

 

Hey Everyone,

I'm putting this question out there to all of my pacemaker friends. Yesterday I went to my checkup for my PM and found out that the bottom half of my heart is using the PM 97%, where at my last visit 6 months ago it was only 32%. When I asked the Cardiologist why his reply was, "It doesn't matter why, since you have the PM it will handle it whether it's 32% or 97%." Am I wrong to want to know why my heart needs it more now than 6 months ago? I am a 46 year old woman, and the reason I have the PM is due to a botched ablation, where the main nerve in my heart got damaged, resulting in heart block so I had to get a PM. My EP said that the heart block might go away, yet I find that my heart is using it more? Anyw...

 

does anyone here have this?....crt-d w/avt model n107 ?boston scientific/guidant doesnt have this model listed,hmmm.looking for someone else that has this one.

 

Hi,

Was just wondering if anybody had their PM implanted under their left pectoral muscle? And do they have complete range of motion to that arm?

I had mine implanted in Oct of 09 and still cannot raise my left arm above my head like my right one without having pain, Was wondering if it gets better? Thanks Carol

 

i just had a pacemaker at age 60, i am very healthy, even with the second degree block had not much symptoms. this was found coincidentally at the time of a routine colonoscopy, when they put me in the monotor for the colonoscopy sedation they noted the skipping beats and sent me to the cardilogist. within a week i had the pm, no time to adjust. the surgery did not hurt I DEMANDED general anesthesia, the docs were upset at me but i was afraid of the pain. now reading some of the comments here i am glad i did.
i feel very weird, some palpitations and very scare that i have to live my life depending on a battery. my family history is unremarkable and the youngest of my relatives to die was 88 years old, i really thought i will fol...

 

Feeling any better today? The show was good. We went to see "Girls Night Out." It was funny. I don't drink often at all, if at all (especially on the meds) so watching all the girls get drunk was even funnier!

My doctor called this morning. My blood work came in. My thyroid levels are on the high side of normal! That "might" explain the tach. How great would that be! That would just be a pill adjustment and then off the beta blockers. But he said wait another month and he will test again. But at least I am FINALLY moving in the right direction.

Hope you are feeling a little better. :-)

 

Today was a big day. After being kind of held up in the house for a while with all the tach / panic drama....I went into NYC to see a show with my aunts, cousins, sister, mom etc. I drove in and met everyone at the show. It was time to stand tall and show that tach and panic who was boss! LOL....

Everyone knew I was really a little nervous to head out though. They also know that my PM site in my opinion is still pretty ugly and I still feel awkward about it. I try to wear scarves over my shirts as much as possible to school so that the students don't see it. One did once...and I really didn't have an answer. So I'm just covering it up for now..until "it" and I are better neighbors! LOL

When I finally met up with every...

 

I'm a little scared to post anymore...I'm not very familiar with all the terms everyone posts on this site. I don't know what my pacemaker is set at. I think the doctor told me he set mine at 80 (whatever that means). He said the bottom lead has been working continuously since the pm was put in. I guess that is the low setting and probably my resting heart rate is lower than that.

I am still having trouble adjusting to the fact that I ACTUALLY have a pacemaker. I thought I was perfectly healthy. I was taking care of my Mother who had parkinson's. I didn't want her in a nursing home, so I stayed with her 24 hours a day. On the weekends my brothers took turns taking care of her so I could go home with my husband. I starte...

 

This is my first time on this website. I originally had a pacer implanted in 2001 for neurocardiogenic syncope. I was 21. I just had it replaced along with a new lead put in because the old lead was faulty. There were numerous complications during the surgery (that last almost 4 hours), the biggest being finding the actual pacemaker to replace it. They ended up making a second 5 inch incision on my left breast and digging about 5 inches down to find it. The surgery was about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I'm still in a lot of pain, but the surgeon seems to think that i should be in no pain at all anymore. He also told me that he took no precautions to ensure that the pacer did migrate again. I bounced back from the first pacemaker surgery, ret...

 

Hello,

I just got my new and updated DPM installed and have noticed that it is a little bigger and restricts me from bringing my arm towards the shoulders during the back swing. Any golfers on the forum that have input on if the doc placed it in the wrong place or it is just pshycological issue right now after surgery? My first DPM did not seem to be in the way like the second one.

Look forward to some good feedback.

Thanx.

Awesome
Peace out!

 

This post has nothing to do with a PM. I just came back from a show put on by John Edwards the psychic. He has the t.v. show called "Crossing Over". My wife and I attended a group reading today. It was fascinating to see him work. He is able to talk to people who have passed and reconnect them with living family members. I was somewhat of a skeptic until I saw him work. If anyone has an opportunity to see this show it's well worth it. You'll be amazed. He was able to read quite a few people today. One guy who was read said he wasn't a believer until today. John Edwards was able to connect him with family members and loved ones who passed. He said the psychic was correct on everything. It was a very emotional show. I wasn't re...

 

About 6 months ago, I asked my heart doctor if I would start trying to have a baby. I am 25 years old and really want kids, well he told me that it was okay to start trying. Well now I am pregnant and I just seen an OBGYN and she told me that if my heart wasnt better then my last eco I would really have to get an abortion, or die. My ejection factors are at 40 percent and my left venteral is bad and thats the side of the heart that makes the baby. I have an eco on this monday to see how my heart is doing. I need help, abortions is not something I can live with, I need hope. Thanks Kelly my email is Makenzee2003@yahoo.com

 

thanks everyone for getting back so quickly i think i will be making some phone calls on monday morning all in all i think this is not very good care for me for i think i should of heard from the docs office long ago i guess i got lost in the shuffle. well i leave here in bellmawr nj an we have about 30 inches of snow an my husband wont even let me shovel or even sweeep the steps off i us to love to shovel before i got my pm . now i just look out the front door like a sad little puppy thanks again Patsy

 

Hi.

Just 2 quick questions....

1) Safety Mode....my Medtronic Rep told me that it will be at 65 beats per minute when that day arrives. Some others on the site say 60 beats per minute. Could it be that the brand determines the safety mode speed?

2) Pacemakers being turned OFF. I was told that a pacemaker cannot be turned completely off. I was told that they can lower it to 30 beats per minute as that is the lowest setting (on mine) and that they turn it down to 30 at my pacemaker interrogations only to find out my instrinsic rate.

Is this the same information most of you have been given?

Just curious.

Pookie

 

How are you doing today???

Pookie

 

I recieved a two lead pacer (Bos. Sci.) a year ago because my heart rate was 35 to 40. The V.A. said, "I had heart block". After 9 monthes of complaining that something was not right, they decided I DID NOT have heart block after all. So, the lower lead was turned off. I'm now in AAI (R) mode. If anyone can share any information on AAI (R) it would be greatly appreicated because I'm still having problems.
Thank You Very Much

 

Am 55 my heart is at 22% I will need double implant maybe by May 2010 Meds not working, have no insurance, any advise?

Thank you

 

Post what you are doing in general and how you are feeling! I'll start....hope to hear from you all!

At 12:22PM it's snowing like crazy-about 2 feet+ so far here in Western Pennsylvania-USA Snowed in! Had cake&tea. Will be training later. May start the snowblower. Feeling fine. Doing my thing.

Gary

 

I talked to a Dr last night that does the implants. I told him that everyone said I would feel better after getting my defibrillator on Monday. He said, "Really, dont count on that....who told you that...???"

He informed me that if I needed ONLY the pacemaker part, than yes, but the ones of us that need the defibrillator for Vt normally dont see any day to day difference.

I thought, maybe, my weakness, fatigue, jumpy heart, nervous, and light headed feelings would get better???

Jut a vent... still praying that I WILL feel better and just not be scared of the SHOCK factor!

Andrea

 

Well my surgery took a little longer because they had to go back in and reposition one of the leads. Everything was good with last check before being released. Just trying to take one minute at a time. Haven't gotten much sleep because of a terrible gas pocket in my back for the past two days. I am usually a stomach sleeper so it will just take some more time to get used to the sleeping on my back.

Not really sure how I am supposed to feel the first few days. Most of my arms and chest feel as though a mack truck ran over me, but I guess that is typical of any surgery. I also have fibromyalgia which makes me much more sensitive to pain. The one thing I did notice was that the "brain fog" I had been experiencing is pretty much gon...

 

well i went to st thomas on 3 feb to have my upgrade and i hate to say it from the start i had complications.
They put some dye to see if my coronory sinus vien was open and it was so they had given me sadation and started to take my old pacemaker out that i had for 3 years and it was agony to the point were i told them to stop at that point they gave me morphine and more sadation and i fell asleep when i woke 2 hrs later they still hadnt put the 3rd lead in. the veins they found everytime they tried to pace the lead my diaphram would move as they up the volt such as strange experiance to feel a heartbeat in the stomach and see it move i nearly flew off the table. i then became so restless they gave me more morphine and sadation when...

 

It became a month implanted a medtronic PC,I suffered Vertigo attacks, dizzenes .I was directed to neurelegist all brain exam.s were normal until I tied holter for 24 hrs and the results were terrible( lowering pulse to30 beats with pauses of more than 2 sec.).As I am Iraqi and still our hospitals have no good practiced in PCimplantation,I travelled to Turkey and there the doc.s decided that I have need of PC.
Still I suffer the dizzines and fatigability with a small activity doing,I contacted my doc.but he told me that this symptom may be from another reason not as a result of the PC.After 3 days of implantation the PC was checked and adjusted by the same dr. I need help and more informatioon about post complication of PC Thanks ...

 

Hi,
Has anybody travelled form an airport using the new security body-scanner? At the moment, I show my pacemaker card when travelling to ensure I don't have to pass through the current electro-magnetic security gates. Does the same apply to the scanners?

 

Hi all,

I haven't been here since I first got my pacemaker implant which was almost two years ago. Everyone here was so helpful during my first few (very difficult) months. I'm now 34 years old and back, hopeful for some more help.

At the time, I was having dizzy spells and before I knew it, I was in the hospital having a pacemaker implant. Long story short, my electrophysiologist said that he couldn't figure out why my heart was stopping. He said we might know one day why it happened.

Two years later, I get my pacey tested every three months and the doctor has never seen me. I pace approximately 6% of the time which makes me lucky, I think.

I don't think about it much of the time, but won...

 

hi everyone ....its me sounding stupid again but am i suppose to have a machine at home to check my pm with a landline last time i was at doc they talk about it but i still havnt heard anything from anyone or am i supposed to call an order it still new an only had my pm for 2 month i feel good today thank god it s friday oh if anyone lives in new jersey button down the hatch here comes the snow storm an it right on time accu weather your the bomb auh! Patsy

 

I had to come back to "post" this tonight. I have "slapped my sides" silly laughing since this morning after reading a "comment" from Smitty to Suemarie from her "post". As usual, Smitty gives a lot of very good, educated advice. Smitty is a man with a wealth of knowledge who people listen/take his advice, especially in the medical/PM fields. Within one of his sentences, Smitty was referring to the medical profession, I believe. He included this in a sentence ~ ~ "they don't really know sheep dip from wild honey". Now, as a fellow Texan, as Smitty is, and my being an ol' country gal who lives/works a real Texas ranch, I know where Smitty is "coming from". Another way of putting this is, "they wouldn't know their head from a hole in ...

 

I just got back from the Hematologist and my platelets have dropped in half in two days. Monday I have to get bone marrow test..ouch. The Hematologist said that it looks like ITP. He gave me prednisone and said start it right away. Tuesday they will re-test my platelets and if they have not increased we will do a blood transfusion to do the pacemaker surgery wednesday. Its so much going on...:(

 

hello my name is heather. i am 23 and had my first pm put in at 6 years old. i was diagnosed with 2nd and 3rd degree a.v. heart block. i had the pm replaced in 2001. that means as of jan. 29 my pacemaker is 9 years old. i am scared to death now because i have no health care (cant afford), i cant get any assistance because they say we make too much money, and i am not disabled enough. i have not seen a doctor in 5 years. when i was a kid everything was fine, i had medicaid. at that time i wasnt thinking about what was going to happen when i turned 18. i went to the er when i was having problems but was told to see a specialist that i cant afford. i was home alone with 3 children not knowing what was going to happen to me. i got through the ...

 

hello my name is heather. i am 23 and had my first pm put in at 6 years old. i was diagnosed with 2nd and 3rd degree a.v. heart block. i had the pm replaced in 2001. that means as of jan. 29 my pacemaker is 9 years old. i am scared to death now because i have no health care (cant afford), i cant get any assistance because they say we make too much money, and i am not disabled enough. i have not seen a doctor in 5 years. when i was a kid everything was fine, i had medicaid. at that time i wasnt thinking about what was going to happen when i turned 18. i went to the er when i was having problems but was told to see a specialist that i cant afford. i was home alone with 3 children not knowing what was going to happen to me. i got through the ...

 

Does a cordless home phone cause the same interference as a cell phone?
Thanks,
Catherine

 

Hi all

When we have our pace maker check, can they tell if we have missed any medications?

 

This is THE best article I've seen on the net about pacemakers- and it's written by an Electrophysiologist.

Very thorough and informative for new pacer patients.

http://knol.google.com/k/pacemakers

 

I'm officially allowed to drive again! I didn't even have to whine and beg. :o)

I had a quick follow up with the EP this morning, in and out in less than ten minutes. They said the incisions look terrific. Supposed to follow up with my cardio for my next regular pm check so no need to go back to the EP unless there's a problem. Yay!

 

I have had my pacemaker a little over a year now. Once it was installed I was told by my doctor that I am not able to weight lift anymore. Does everyone have the same issue?

 

Those Pacemaker Club members, who have gotten to know me over the last couple years, realize how much I love to whine and complain continuously about every little nuance of my life post Heart episode. During the past several years, all the gory details of my medical condition have been discussed and re-discussed by concerned members.

Yesterday, all of my children, Billy Bob, Joe Bob, and most especially Millie Bob have banded together and notified me, in writing, that the statute of limitations on my heart condition has expired (not the best choice of phrases eh?). The notice went on to state they are revoking my right to whine and complain about any issues, directly or indirectly, related to my heart, and further, I must...

 

A doctor recently told me that she wouldn't advise taking aspirin with a pacemaker. I never got around to asking "why not?" Does anyone have any info about aspirin and pacemakers?

Thanks!

 

Hi there,

I posted a week or so ago about Amiodarone damaging my lungs. I had the test repeated, and it confirmed that my diffusion capacity has decreased round about 40% in eight months; some other parameters have worsened, too. So, I'm getting off the med now, and will be starting Dronedarone instead in two weeks. I was wondering if anyone here has switched from Amiodarone to Dronedarone, and if so, how did you do it. I have the feeling that the EPs don't are not sure how long a patient should be off Amiodarone before starting Dronedarone. A few months ago my EP said at least four weeks, now he says at least two. I attended a conference and most EPs agree two weeks should be enough. However, they also said that they won't take...

 

My heart is usually really slow, skips, and pauses3-5 seconds. I have slow heart rate, abnormal rhythm, 2nd degree right block and mvp. My question involves recent problems that has been getting worse and more frequent. Ill be sitting watching tv tired or it will wake me up. Its my heart and it just starts beating real fast and pounding and i can see it beating through chest. Does anyone else get this? Will my PM fix this? Im getting mine wednesday.

 

Hi Pals

I had my Ela Symphony Pacemaker inserted in September 04.
At the time it was reckoned to be the best pacemaker available and also came with a long battery life. Last check by manufacturer I was told I had at least six years left..

I had my pm check yesterday and was told that the model pm I have is not lasting as long as they originally thought. Has anyone else gone through this?

The tech said that those who were implanted with the same pm about the time I was are now experiencing a "flick up" on the battery line. So far my has not done this and I was told they would check me in four months then said no, make it three months.

I know my pm will not suddenly stop working and I am n...

 

Call me stupid but how do you get on chat here?? xx

 

Got the push on statin drugs by Cardio. In fact he gave me 6 weeks of free samples(10 mgs) Way to strong for me, ankles swelling, fog, dizzy, chest pains................Crestar is the strongest of the six brands. Any advice on the different brands available?? My cholest. is 202 and hdl and ldl are good to normal with the triglycides very low @45. I would like to start at a very low dose and work up. I brought my cholestrol down from 280 with red wine vinegar and unprocessed bran on my oatmeal. oh yes, and a glass of red wine at dinner.
The lowest dose of Crestar is 5mg....still much higher than entry level of the other brands.
Thanks, -Philman

 

Hi. I am new and sure could use some words of encouragement or support. Just had my PM surgery 2 days ago. I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now and confused because when I left the hospital, the tech tested my pacemaker and said I am 100% dependent and it freaked me out. I have two leads. He said it should last for 7-8 years, but I am wondering how it possibly can when I am 100% dependent. Before I had this done, I had bradycardia but I really didn't have super bad symptoms, and now all of a sudden I am 100% dependent. I thought my heart was going to do some of the work. Also, I have a lot of anxiety and have had most of my life, but now it is even worse. Today I almost fainted. I'm scared if my device fails, my heart will...

 

1 had a pacemaker inserted 3 days ago and am still in pain. Even tho' I had to have it redone the next day. Not the pain on the insertion site but I have pain in my back and chest and find it hard to breathe deeply. I feel that I have palpatations also.

I was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms after their op? I have to say I am a little worried about it but would feel a nuisance calling the hospital as I was only discharged yesterday. Can you help?

 

I'm taking my first flight tomorrow morning since getting my ICD in November.

Can I go through the regular walk-through security screening? Do I alert them to the fact I have an ICD first, and show my card? Or is it better to just ask for a hand search right off the bat and avoid all the hubbub?

Melissa

 

Well, it's confirmed, my doctor, cardiologist and EP all agree I need a pacemaker due to my heart block. I'm having and echocardiogram on Saturday just to find out what kind of pacer I will need. I'll be counting the days and staying connected on here and reading all the posts. I just find it hard to believe my EP told me I could probably return to work (although I go to school) in 48 hours. 48 hours!! I can't imagine that. Doesn't the soreness last longer than that? How am I supposed to concentrate if I'm in pain?

 

Hi everyone,
Saw my G.P today and essentialy she was upset and confused like I was that they cancelled the appointment with the EP and yet not follow up with cardiology. I have this event recorder and no follow up with cardiology. She was upset since she is a G.P and can't totally read an EKG except to be able to tell what type of rhythm I'm in. She did get the report from the hospital and according to her it has shown some a-fib and SVT and my usual bradycardia, but sometimes really slow so since she doesn't know what the next steps are she is going to get in touch with my cardiologist since he hasn't called me and let me know what he says. She is concerned because of the miscommunication with everyone. She did mention something abo...

 

I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with low blood platelets? Could this be caused from lack of proper blood flow through out my body? Once I get my pacemaker I was wondering if that will help my body produce them better. They couldn't do my surgery yesterday because my platelet count was too low. The hematologist gave me prednizon- dont know how to spell it lol but has any one else taken this steroid? I was also wondering what a typical base-line for the pacemaker could be. For example do they typically set it at 60bps or 70? Thanks...paul

 

Had my pacer checked yesterday and they informed me that the upper lead had been turned off., apparantly there was some static or noise that was there the last time I had it checked.
So, they took the liberty of disabling it.
This information was from the pacer dept. dr.

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and have had two myomectomies. My rhytymns are fine now, its more of a preventative measure and I keep a low pulse of around 60.

How critical is it for that lead to be on, ? and would it still help me if I needed it to with just the bottem lead on.

 

Does anyone have any experience with Atenolol 25mg for tachacardia?

Took my first pill today, felt a little tired but I was really trying to take it easy so not really sure if I was in lazy mode all day or if it was the meds.

I took a nap and had some crazy wild dreams. Not sure if that was the med though.

It must be working because I have been running "slower" all day.
Thanks,
Wendy

 

As I write a valinetine poem for my wife each year and this is the first year that I have had a pacemaker, can anyone direct me to a picture I can copy that depicts a valentine heart with a pacemaker?

 

I just got back from the Hospital. They did nuclear imaging of my spleen and liver. They will send the results to the hematologist to read the results. Tomorrow I am going to see him and he will go over my blood tests and spleen/liver checks with me. He is also going to check my platelet count again to see If the meds help to increase my platelets. If not then I will have to get a blood transfusion right before surgery. My PM surgery will be scheduled tomorrow for next week. My concern is if they have to give me blood transfusion before PM surgery so I'll have enough platelets so I dont bleed to death how will that effect the healing process? Will I heal ok? or will they be able to give me another transfusion afterward to keep up my plate...

 

Hey Hey,
Well it's been 3 weeks now and I am beginning to have my doubts. Mornings are the worst. I just can't seem to get going anymore. I stay active but man its a drag sometimes. It's not the meds because I don't take any. Anyway, I just wanted to vent a little frustration. I am concerned though that the PM looks like it has moved some. I am suspecting that may be normal but I thought I would check on here and maybe get some feedback before I called the doc. to check. You people that speak from first hand experience have helped me more than you can ever imagine. Nothing else I have searched anywhere can compare. Thank You!
Dwight

 

Hello,
I have only had a pacemaker/defibullator for a month. It has been complication after complication for me. The first night after implanting I awoke with horrible chest pain. Atrial lead had come loose. Back to surgery to reattach it. Then I was having just hard heartbeats, jogging my entire chest, hard enough to shake our whole bed and scare the heck out of my husband. The left side lead was charging my frenetic nerve as well as my heart causing diaphram spasms. Last Friday they had to shut off that lead. On the 11th I will have epicardial placement of that 3rd lead. I am frightened. Dr. said, "It is a painful procedure." What does that mean? Does anyone know? Is it it more painful that having a chunk of your tongue...

 

Anyone out there with sick sinus syndrome? It took them 8 yrs. to diagnose me, have had my pacer for 5 yrs. and doing fairly well but the bad days are really bad and lately the fatigue is really getting to me. I can't seem to get enough sleep the last few days. I'm sleeping sometimes for 12 hours and am still forcing myself to get out of bed and this isn't like me. Just want to know if others have this same problem at times. Thanks

 

I was just sitting here feeling a little blue and I began to think well, isn't that something. It has been a rough year for me already. It's only Feb. 3rd and I have been hospitalized twice and feel like &*(%$! Poor little me.....

So I went to the member list and pulled up some messages from some very special people. DairyPrincess and Peter.Nash. I selected their last posting to read again. I found that even till the end they were positive and happy. They were encouraging and so thoughtful of others. Reading their post gave me some new perspective! No more poor little me! What a dishonor to my friends to be feeling sorry for myself!

I can't help but think that they would each feel so pleased to know that even after ...

 

we started out sat. a.m. and my brother was not feeling good. he continued to feel poorly in tennessee and so we headed back home. i drove all night on 1-75 and made it home at nine thirty sun a.m. he still isn't well so i cancellled. was really looking forward to the trip and so was he but these things happen. now i know how to drive 1-75 in the dead of night . lol just keeping you up to date on my crazy life jessie

 

this may sound really stupid but i had chinese food on sat night an right after i had a bad panic attack does anyone think the msg trigger something off .or am i out of my mine . or should i just relize that panic attack come along with the program lol
Patsy

 

I did call today and they told me the brand is Metronic?? She also said that it hasnt been recalled lately??? She did not know whether it was a 2 or 3 wire. They did say it would go under the breast tissue and the scar will be almost in my armpit. She also said once I've done the 30 day interrigation, I can get a local hospital rep to start doing them.

I just still feel like I'm not asking the right questions. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks
Andrea

 

Well had my appointment with the specialist today and I definitely need the pacemaker. He didn't want me to wait too much longer since I have been feeling pretty awful the last few days. I am scheduled tomorrow at 1:30 and will actually take my first taxi ride in years to get there tomorrow morning.

My sister drove us home from the appointment today because the doc didn't want me behind the wheel of the car. My sister hasn't driven since her hip surgery in 2004. We were trying to think of why I did all the driving and then realized that with her walker and bad left leg, it is much easier getting into the car from the passenger side. But she did okay, we took care of a few errands and I really can't wait until tomorrow to start f...

 

The hematologist took a bunch of blood and tomorrow i have to get spleen pancreas and liver checked through some radioactive test. He gave me some type steroids and supplement type stuff for Mal nutrition in order to help boost platelets. I go Friday back to the hospital to review all tests and have another blood test and if platelets still down I'll have to get blood transfusion in order to do my PM surgery.

 

My doctors visit today may have taken me 10 steps back! I thought I was threw with the nerves....but they are in full swing now.

I went back to the EP today. She checked my recordings. It said I was in the 140's from 10am-2pm. I felt fine! I was just running around at school etc. Then at 2 I rested in my daughter. The RHR went down. Then she said it went back up to the 140's from 3-4:30. Again, I was just running around getting the house ready for a babysitter etc.

Her gut says it's my thyroid medication. But I explained to her that I have an underactive thyroid and I am still not even taking the high dose of Synthroid that they want me to. So she wants me to have a thryoid panel done ASAP.

She also prescri...

 

Hello all. After a frustrating & emotional time I had at my first 3 month PM check on 1/14/10, I had a scheduled trip to make the next day, and I just am coming back home. Been missing all of you. I tried to "Post" my frustrations here before I left, to no avail. My home at the other ranch does not have high tech "stuff", no phone, no computer, no TV, no etc. so I could not communicate with anyone while there.

A lil' of my history: I had the Boston Scientific PM ablation/implant on 10/2/09, I had asked the Dr. on Duty (weekend sub) a couple of questions during my overnite stay in the hospital. That Dr. told me to ask the PM rep. coming into my room soon. I asked the PM rep. a couple of questions, and he said to ask the pe...

 

My cardiologist came in and said my platelet count is severly low and they can not cut me open to do surgery. He is having the hemotologist come in to run tests and view options. I mAy have to get blood transfusion before they can do PM surgery.

 

Seriously, just trying to find out all I can about subpectoral placement. I've read all of the "keyword" searches, but am just wanting to know more.

Recovery time? How much longer and detailed the surgery is? Are battery replacements any more complicated? Problems? Issues? Regrets? People who have been through "standard" placement- how much more painful is it? What to expect? Restrictions?

I'm trying to plan an overseas trip (March 5th-14th), but the doctors also are demanding that my pacer be moved under my muscle due to complications that I've been having.....

UGH.......Help?

 

I might even win an award for this one!!! :)

I have NEVER exercised in my life. I am almost 48.

However, now that I have this torn rotator cuff issue, I have to do some exercises. I went yesterday to learn some. I must admit it was fun. However, I'm amazed at what little I did, boy oh boy, am I sore today. (Yes, I'm using ice)

Anyways...what I have to do is some very basic exercises using these rather long rubber ropes. But my question is: my pacer is on the left side, my rotator cuff issue is also on the left side....some of the exercises she has me doing really really really makes me feel alot of things moving in and around my pacer and I'm wondering just how safe all of this is.

I jus...

 

Im here at hospital on my i phone they just
took my ekg blood and blood pressure i almost passed out
my blood pressure droppes to 80/59 and i started blacking out it still low and i fuzzy cant wait to get this
thing in and feel better thank god for drs

 

Hi All, this is my 1st post. Still in shock from my experience.
I have just had my pacemaker fitted on Monday, how long am I likely to be off work (office based).
I only went to the doctors last Thursday with a chest infection and mentioned I had been having headache's, when he took my pulse he found it to be very slow (45bpm) and sent me for an ECG, they said ECG was very active and I needed to wear a trace monitor for 24 hrs, I returned this the next afternoon. At 4.45 had a phone call from the doctor telling me to get to the hospitals Cardiac Care Unit immediately as overnight readings where dangerously low, where I was informed that I would be under observation for the weekend and have a pacemaker fitted on Monday, Had a few ...

 

If you don't pay for your pacemaker and defibrillator implant bills, do they send a repo man/woman??

 

I'm about to agree to a pacemaker implant. Terrified I will have to give up my running which will make me a bear to get along with ..... But my resting rate of 38 and frequent several-day-long arrhythmias (a-fibs) have me nervous, as well. Glad to find a forum. Howard

 

Hey there, my surgery is this morning at 11am. I have to be to the hospital at 9am. I did not sleep at all last night and I am so tired. I may fall asleep before they give me the I.V of goodies; lol. I am definitely nervous but I am trying to stay positive. I know will all be ok; still I am nervous as this is my first surgery. This no drinking or eating after midnight is no fun; I am so thirsty; I'm a big water drinker. I understand why no food, but I do not get the no water because water passes out of your system pretty fast; maybe 4hrs prior so your not having to pee or something. Any way Thanks to everyone for your posts and comments as they have helped me soooo matuch. Before finding this site I was truly lost and a wreck. I will post ...

 

Went out yesterday and it was extremely cold, this seemed to affect my shoulder where my PM is! Is this usual or is it because it's a new thing to me, or is it me being super sensitive again??

Apart from that I am beginning to feel better in myself, still quite sore, but certainly not as washed out as I was!

 

Can anybody tell me what the St. Jude Medical RF Merlin@Home transmitter cost?. Does it work well?.

 

I was wearing a 24 halter last week and got the results today. It seems that I my heart races at 7:30 am and about 10:30 am. Both of which I can easily explain..morning rush to get out of the house and mid morning rush to get to a different class. Finally an answer!! LOL
The lady told me my heart rate was going down after that on it's own and so that was good too.
One thing she did notice that left me a little confused was when I pace it seems I am pacing at night. Right after I pace I get a PAC or a PVC. She said it could be a rebound from the pacing...like my own rhytem and the PM were competing. Does that sound right? I don't get it.
And secondly I still feel "the thumps" during the day too. The ones they said were PAC's ...

 

Please join me in wishing PaulB the best of luck during his surgery tomorrow. He is getting a pacemaker for the first time. :-)

Best of luck Paul! You will be great!

Wendy

 

Hi there...my name is Andrea and I go for my "Shocker" surgery next Monday, Feb 8th. I will have a defibrillator put in due to VT.

I've been a heart patient my whole life. Born w/ tetrollogy of fallot, but had a total repair when I was 4 by Dr. Denton Cooley at Texas Heart Inst. I've always had right side enlargement and mvp, but issues started increasing. I ofcourse always said..."I'm FINE." In November, some of my coworkers noticed my blue hands and nervous attitude and sent me to the school nurse where I work. It happened again a week later, but I also had blue earlobes, back pain, and nausea. Heart Cath was done in Dec. and found the pulmonary valve has a severe leak. They dont know how much surgery will improve my...

 

My new EP told me today that he does not do home cardiac monitoring. My old one did, but I have had many problems with my old EP. Is there anyone else that does not do home cardiac monitoring? He said that the pacemakers are so reliable that you do not need it between checkups. Anyway, I have been feeling so much better since they put in the 2 leads and a new pacemaker. I was so sick from the one I had placed last July. I got a copy of how my previous single lead pacemaker was dropping beats. It was very random, that is why it was making me so sick, and I would feel like I was hitting a brick wall when doing something, or totally get out of breath. He also said my pulse was dropping to 30 bpm when it was happening. But I am so gla...

 

OK,
so today did not go exactly as planned (OK not at all as planned). I was supposed to see my EP this afternoon to hear what he had to say about the Event Recorder and I don't know who or where things got screwed up, but they did. They called me at around 10 this morning to tell me that they are cancelling the appointment because from his point of view there is no reason for me to see him. When I asked why, they couldn't tell me. I then called my Mom since she took the day off to be there with me very upset and she told me to try to see it as positive. That this basically means that there is nothing wrong, but I got angry because the truth is that we still don't know what is going on. His office called me back while I was on the pho...

 

I thought that this was too funny not to share... As some of you may remember I had it out with my last cardiologist for a multitude of reasons. Well I contacted their office last week some time to figure out what they would like to do about a research study I am in... what a shock.. said they would call me back and never did. Secondly.. I got a phone call today from their office from someone wanting to download my pacemaker over the phone to check the battery. How comical is it that ONE I no longer go to their clinic (and they do know that) and TWO my pacemaker is not compatible with doing any sort of phone downloading/batter checks, etc. Got to love the talent there. This is why patients should be knowledgable about their conditions...

 

I wonder if this thing will interfere with our pacemaker's operation.

A simple solution to the controversy over full-body scanners has been invented. It is a booth that you step into and while it will not X-ray you, IT WILL DETONATE ANY EXPLOSIVE DEVICE YOU HAVE ON YOUR BODY.

This would be a win-win for everyone, and put an end to the crap about racial profiling!

 

Barbara had her implant on Thursday - she is home and trying to get back to normal but her shoulder (left side) on top of shoulder she said she feels like pins are sticking her and it is more or less continuous and her chest feels a bit heavy. Anyone had this kind of feeling - still the conerned Mom. lillian

 

Hi All,
I am 1 week post op today. I got my PM for SSS that came on suddenly and I was symptomatic and within 5 or 6 days of diagnosis I was in for my PM. I am 41 and kind of freaking out! I feel better heart wise except for some irregular beats when I start moving around a lot but I think they could be brought on by anxiety! I was a pretty anxious person before this but now I am taking xanax once or twice a day to help calm down. Every twinge or anything I feel I am constantly checking my pulse to make sure pacer is working! (it is of course) I am going to go back to work tomorrow for just half day and hopefully I will feel better because I will have some distractions other then sitting at home. I ws just wondering if I am the only o...

 

I just wanted to post that my son got his pacemaker on November 20th. He has a CHB. He is doing great, back to normal 16 yr old. His heart won't get below 60 b.p.m., which is worlds away from his resting heart rate of 35 b.p.m. We took him to the doctor the other day for a regular drs. visit and his heart rate was 80 b.p.m., I don't remember the last time it was that high. Pretty exciting!!!! He is surprised at how much energy he has now. He didn't realize how tired he was and how little he was able to do. He will be able to get back to basketball this summer. Do any of you know if there is some kind of protective covering that he can wear?

Thanks for all the support I got from this website. My fears were calmed and I ...

 

Hi Again.

Last month I finally found out why my left shoulder was killing me for the past 4 yrs.....I have a 50% torn rotator cuff.

Yesterday I finally got in to see the specialist and he has decided that the best route for now is to strengthen the muscles. So I go back today to learn specific exercises.

Then in the summer he said he would CT scan my shoulder again, and if it was worse, we would or could go ahead with the surgery.

Let's hope the exercises work for me!!!!!!!

Pookie

 

Hi everyone....I won't be getting the results of my MIBI until February 11th. An actual sit down appointment face to face with my EP!!!!!!!!!

However, I did receive a letter from the hospital yesterday that my Loop Recorder is scheduled for February 16th.

This will be the 2nd time I had to wear one of these. I just wore one for a month back in June. But this time he, my EP, said I'd probably only need to wear it for 2 weeks if they capture some "good" recordings.

Pookie

 

Hi all.
Thanks to those who replied to my last, rather confused, mailing. Not seen cardiologist as yet but dr's recieved letter outlining plan to implant a dual lead pm asap. I am a little aprehensive about this as initial pm implantation( 2 years ago) was so distressing. Hey ho..... is'nt it great? Never mind i am grateful it can be sorted. Something always happens to shake things up a little. My husband lost his job shortly before christmas..Things have been hard ...he is working again at the moment. A lovely friend of mine was being really supportive and in trying to cheer me up said with a sigh.....at least youv'e got your health! We were in hysterics for ages...laugh! Bless her she is lovely....and i will be on the right track ...

 

Still not sure how "Gizmo" works. Again, prior to implantation, I had very few symptoms that most ppl have. Never fainted, no chest pain, only S.O.B when doing hills. But I did have bradycardia (50-60 BPM) and skipping beats. Oh and total left bundle branch block. My EP implanted the 3 wire Medtronic ICD. My heart rate now during resting is around 70 in the afternoon and low 80's at night. But I still have a very irregular beat... approx 5-7 skips every minute. So exactly what is the 3rd wire doing? And when does Gizmo pace??? Actually, I dont feel much different, except that I did a hill yesterday and was actually able to do it with no problems. I'm still concerned about the skipping. Doesn't an ICD correct that? I feel SO stupid asking t...

 

Well, here I'm in the 8th week this Wednesday, of the winter yuck. The 13th, of January I saw the doc, before he went on Vacation, well I had been feeling better, until then, I had a set back. The doc said I had a real bad sinus infection and throat and ear vitral infection. The I started feeling better 24th, of Jan, and then on the 26th, I had a stomach flu set back and On Friday of last week, I got real sick. Then Sat i felt better, then Last nite, I had a bad set back again with bronchitis, Now my throat is in fire again. I'm back on cough meds from the doc, and the med has vicodian in it, so, I can't take my pain meds if needed for my left leg and knee.

Its been, 8 months since my replacement 2nd total knee repl...

 

Hi All! I just want to reiterate what an AWESOME group of people you have been since my pacer implant in Nov 09. I couldn't have made it this far without all your support and kind words along the way. Here's my new issue! :)

Does anyone else get bothered by the bumpy or rigid edges around their pacemaker casing? I can't tell what the bumps are... first I thought they were where the leads were coming out, but it seems bumpy almost all the way around. I know it's probably still settling in there, but does show and stick out. It's been over 2 months now. Thanks for any words of wisdom!
Leah