I am about to have my third pacemaker implanted. I got my first pacer in 1993, the second in 2000 and now will have one in 2010. Do any of you know if the surgeon will have to create a new 'pocket?' All of my pacers have been on the left side of my chest....will they eventually have to move to the other side of my chest due to saggin skin and muscle? Thanks for any info you can offer. :)

 

in toronto for a few days. just returned from having cajun catfish. to-morrow mwwting family for polish food. lol gotta love the big cities. jessie

 

I was implanted with pacemaker 6/1/10 and left with one blocked artery and 2 partly blocked doc told me that they could be unblocked with meds which I am taking . however I continued to have light headness dizziness but i discovered that it was due to anxity about my condition so he put me on
lorazepam 1 mg 1 per day but I discovered that I needed one at night and one during the day so i droped in and was going to have my doctor to mdify my dosage my dr was out and his assiastant was there he would not work with me he said i will give you thirty pills and the only thing that i can suggest is cut the pill half in two and take one in the morning and one at night i did just that i in am not bothered with any more dizzy or light headed s...

 

Hi all
can anyone exp lane to me what an supraventricular ectopic activity is >?
thanks for your time

 

Everything went fine Monday--I am already home and resting. I want to thank those that reached out to me, and told me what to expect. That and prayer kept me very calm throughout. For those of you still waiting to get implanted--trust these guys (and gals) when they tell you not to worry--it's really not so bad at all.

 

I just checked out all the photos everyone posted and I gotta say what a great looking bunch of people. Everyone looks fit and healthy and happy and everyone is out there doing things, living life.
It makes me feel good to see all that activity going on. But one pic in particular caught my eye and that's ranman... wow what a hunk!
He would have got my heart pumping quicker. Now, I'm in a solid relationship but it never hurts to look! and you are never too old either!
Question. : Can you have your scar tatooed...like with a heart and arrow?

 

Hi every one!!! I have been off for a while. I just wanted to say thank you for those who still thought about me once in a while and send me messages. I appreciate your concern for me. I have had my ups and downs lately with my heart. Seems to stop at times and make me a lttle dizzy. Nothing new. But i hate the feeling. Also, been havin trouble being active. I cant even sit at a theather or restaurant for a long time because just doing that makes me feel very fatigued. I know i just gotta live with it. But i do get annoyed. Anyway, just wanted to say hello and hope you are all doing well. God blesss.

 

Age 74 and last Feb. went to the ER gasping for breath. Acute congestive heart failure. Ejection fraction 15%, qrs >120. Ended up with a stent, a Boston Scientific CRT-D, and more than enough meds. Was really blind sided by the whole thing as I had not been much for doctoring for at least 30 years. Heart meds affected my vision. New glasses help. You all write how much better you are with your pacemakers. Since I was never the least bit sick until very suddenly, I can't say that. However, I completed Cardiac Rehab , adopted a heart healthy diet, now exercise regularly, etc. For me, the hardest thing was giving up a 50 year cigarette habit. Still is, and that was 6 months ago. It's been good to read about other people's experienc...

 

We have one of those Sleep Number beds. I think it is ok, but my hubby loves it!

last night his side of the bed seemed to lose it's "air" so hubby simply took the control and "aired" it up. When he did that my heart began to jump all over. The rhythm went nutty and as long as he was airing up his side of the bed the crazy beating continued. So very weird. as soon as he stopped, my heart went back into it's normal beats.

I was just wondering if anyone else has a sleep number bed and has had this problem? Just curious. Is it me? or the bed?

 

Hi all
I have had my PM since March of this year for Bradycardia. I just want to know if any of you can feel your PM when it does it's thing? MIne paces about 1% apparently and even though the Docs and clinics told me I wouldn't know when it was working, I swear I can. About once or twice a day for about 30 seconds at random times I feel this hard to describe thumping in my heart. It kind of takes my breath away. I just wait it out and sure enough it quits. I am assuming this is the PM. Anyone else with similar experiences?
Thanks
Howard

 

A couple of times I have logged in to find inappropriate messages on Shoutbox. In fact I found them quite offensive. Particularly the one yesterday.

My reaction has been to just post over the message "Have a good day everyone." and get ride of the offending message.

Any replies on coping with this. Am I doing the right thing. I really don’t want to see this until Blake does his daily checkup or whenever he oversights the site.

Cheers

 

I had so many questions in mind so I decided to join this club and read on the PM testimonies of others who had one.

I am 30 yrs old, female, married with 1 daughter. I was once very active and athletic until last Aug. 11, 2010 my doctor advised me to have a pacemaker implantation due to bradycardia HR. I still have plasters on my wound until now. My wound is still in its healing process and have been visiting my doctor every day for dressing.

After my operation until now I felt restless at night before going to sleep and often feel sudden strong pump on my chest. As I read the testimonies of PM members it helps me understand that somehow it’s normal, even my doctor told me so. But the other night befo...

 

I posted a message yesterday, and I appreciate your responses.

I'm the guy who has a rare heart condition, low ejection/fraction rate (15%-20%), and scheduled for a Biventricular Pacemaker.

Can I ask you guys who received the ICD if you were on medications before you got it? Right now, I'm maxed out on Coreg and Lotensin, along with Lasix and Aldactone. Even so, my ejection/fraction has not improved from 15%-20% area.

Did you continue on your medications? Does the ICD replace them? If so, which ones are you still on? Above all, how are you doing?

Thanks---
James

 

Hey good news! I went to the Dr. on Friday a.m. and saw the PM Rep. from Medtronic. I told him the problems I was having on bumpy roads and asked him about the Rate Responce. He said it had 4 settings and it was set on the next to highest setting. He turned it down one more level and said to try it and see how it acted there and come back in a couple of weeks. Well what a difference one level makes! On the trip home on the same roads that it acted up the first time my heart didn't feel like it was beating out of my chest. In fact ever since the rate responder was adjusted I feel like a different person. Thanks for the previous comments and advice. I have Sick Sinus Syndrome (Medtronic ADAPTA two leads)

 

I am scheduled to get my PM on Wednesday and I am finding myself saying maybe it's not so bad I have my decent days heck my heart rate got as high as 60 yesterday I know that I have more low days than high, but maybe we shouldn't rush to hook some device up to my heart. After reading some of the posts on this site I'm just not sure if I'm going to feel better or worse.

Really I just want all of this over, the worring should I or shouldn't I. Please someone tell me I'm not the only one who feels she is going to go crazy before this is done.. My family just tells me to stop worrying, well it's not their heart that goes so low they pass out or their body is so weak from fatique or that they are going to hook this thing up to t...

 

I am a 32yr old very active male and work as a project manager at an internet company. I just got my first PM yesterday for my AV Block III and low hb (resting 30s - 40s). How long do you guys recommend until someone my age goes back to work? I have very flexible doctors, but don't wanna take off too long and neither be back to early. What is a good time frame which worked for you?

thanks,
david

 

I had a pm put in in March. I was working today out in the field trying to repair a stuck on irrigation valve and I leaned onto the electric deer fence and got a heck of a wallop from the fence charge. Didn't seem to have any adverse affects but I can't imagine that's very good for my PM. Blood pressure is OK 129/54 pulse 62. Should I be looking for any adverse affects? I forget I have the PM most of the time. Feel real good with no adverse things going on at all. Still got the joy gene at being alive though! I been hit on 4 times in the last month! and I'm 64. Can't believe that happened. It's the joy in me that men are responding to think. So put on a happy face girls ... it works.

 

Hi! I am new to all this. I went to the doctor in June complaining of fatigue thinking I needed vitamins. I have a strange heart defect That I didn't know I had. My heart rate averages 47. I have done every test known to man. My doctor has been trying to find a reason not to put in a PM, because I am only 39. I find out on the 16th for sure. But I think that is where I am headed. I just want to feel better and have energy.

 

I want to thank everyone for the prayers for my father, he passed away on Friday the 13th. The cancer had spread from his lung to his brain and bones.

He is in a better place, thanks again for all prayers and well wishes.

Denise

 

Hi, I am a newbie posting and with a pace maker. I first noticed problems on the way home on bumpy roads where my heart sped up for 15 to 20 seconds. I also have the same problem when having relations with my spouse. Are there any settings that can help with this? Please advise me what to ask the Dr. and Pacemaker Rep. to change. Thanks, R