Hi all
Exciting times....tomorrow is the day I go in for my next PM check.....3 weeks after they found my SA node is working again on exertion.

I'm looking forward to finding out whether my %atrial pacing is going down now my SA node works again. I'm wondering if they will turn down my lower rate to 60 (from 70) to give my SA node more of a chance to work at rest. Also wondering if they might try turning off the rate response. I know they won't do more than one setting change at a time so I'll see what they say.

Will also find out if I've had any further episodes of VT recorded.
Had 3 episodes over 3 months, post AV node ablation last October. Last episode was in January. I haven't felt any fast heart rates ...

 

I am 81 and had a pacemaker fitted in December 2010
which has worked perfectly with no problems.
However, although it has a rate-responsive function it has never been switched on. I sometimes get out of breath when walking up hills and wondered weather switching on this function would help. I asked the technition about this and was advised that this was normal. I am never the less anxious to know why this should be the case and weather it would be reasonable for me to request that it should be switched on.
even for a trial period. Can anyone advise me.Gurn.
.

 

Hi, I have another question. I had a PM fitted 4 days ago and although I'm not feeling dizzy any more, when I walk upstairs or anything slightly exerting I get a very irregular heart rhythm.I had this before but not as bad. I think they are what the Cardiologist called ectopics but I'm getting them one after another which isn't at all comfortable and makes me feel weak and breathless. I don't know if this means the settings aren't right or if its because its just settling after the op. Because i noticed these while i was in the hospital they set the PM to 70 instead of 60 as he said this would improve them. How do you know if the settings are not right and has anyone else had this problem?

 

I am 32 years old and i had a pacemaker the last year because of a 3rd degree heart block since my birth.At my scheduled paecemaker checkup my doc informed me that my pacemekr had recoreded many AF episodes. I was shocked because i hadnt felt anything strange an also i was sorry for my bad luck. He told me that I had to take medication for the AF and aspinrin because of the risk of a stroke. The didn't seem to pay mach attention and the whole appointment lasted for about 10 minutes. After that and I asked the opinion of another doctor. Well the second doc seemed to be very carefull and she put her self out of the trouble to open each episode and "read" the electrocardiogram the pacemaker had stored. She noticed that those episodes had not...

 

Does anyone else here have one of the new self-adjusting pacemakers? I got mine 3 weeks ago. I was told it was "top of the line" (Medtronic) and it will analyze and adjust settings automatically. I had quite a bit of trouble getting the settings right on my last PM so, if this works... wow!

 

Hi,

So I had a full health check yesterday. All was going well until it got to the exercise stress test. The doctor basically said it was against company policy to stress test someone with a pacemaker.

I explained that I have a pacemaker for 2nd degree AV block, am not pacemaker dependent and that the device only kicks in if my heart rate drops below 50. The doctor appealed to a higher authority. The response that came back was that the test would be pointless because someone with a pacemaker cannot achieve their maximum heart rate. I was apoplectic as I know this to be nonsense for someone with my condition.

So I again explained that I have no upper limit set, showed them a letter from my cardiologist tha...

 

OK. This is all new to me. I had my first appointment since having the pacemaker put in. I was disappointed, I didn't see the doctor, only his assistant, however they were all friendly, but seem rushed, and I didn't feel comfortable asking to much. Here is what they sent me home with, please tell me how much longer do I have? (I'm 87, so I'm pulling straws already) Seriously, only when one of you dear souls have the time, I'd appreciate any input. God Bless!

Current Problems: Atrial fibrillation 427.1
Assessment: Sinus bradycardia: symptomatic. Sinus Pauses 6-7 seconds with Syncope S/P Dual Chamber PPM 3/22/2013 normal device function AP 17.6 VP 0.4 Bried attach/pac's less than 3 seconds - asymptomatic ekg sr 68...

 

I received a call from my cardiologist as they are meeting with Medtronic in July at the local office and they asked me to come in for an appointment to get my PM adjusted. Has anyone experienced something like this? Just wondering what it might entail. I get told by my cardiologist and his associates all the time how lucky I am.

A little background history, I have SSD, and an 8.5 second pause, when the EP Study was done they had to use the paddles on my heart as there was a 9 second pause. I was rushed to the surgical room ASAP for a pacemaker. I orginially found out while at a Walgreens take care clinic that they couldn't get my heart rate faster than 23. After a 30 day holter, at night my heart rate would stay right at ...

 

In January I got my PM checked and they said 4 to 16 months left of the battery. In the morning I get it checked again. Hopefully it has stayed the same. I am just not ready to get another battery put in. My husband says just get it over with and be done with it for awhile. This will be PM number 5 and surgery number 22. I don't think he gets it. I know it is going to be a lot easier then last time when they moved it for me from my abdomen to upper left chest. I have had it since July 2005. It has run it course. I am just not ready to get a new one yet. I don't think I will ever be ready but still.

Becky

 

Hi People;

Been a while since I`ve been back to you all and have had pacer in for about three months or so now.
Am trying to get my head around some issues with the rythum or rate control thing, Have had a couple more adjustment done since last on and was starting to feel ok and have another appointment to see The Cardioligist in a couple of months and am to see pacemaker clinic for check up next week.
I guess what bothers me is I am still getting a bit of flutter some days and also a bit of lightheaded ness on the odd occassion;
Also cant understand with my pacer as told it would regulate and fix the slow and irregular heartbeats but still sometimes when not feeling right completely I notice when I take my pulse ...

 

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it's possible to need your rate response or any other PM setting changed out of the blue, when everything has been going great for almost a year.

I had a CRT-P with AV Node ablation a year ago, chronic A-fib (since 1987), cardiomyopathy with heart failure, a mechancial heart valve, and numerous other heart problems. I have had most of them since birth, and others since my late 20's (I'm 52). I am used to all of the symptoms they can cause, and they have never caused the feelings I'm having now.

About a week ago, upon activity, I started having SOB, fatigue, tingling in my extremities, face and tongue, and weakness in my legs. At first, it was only here and there, but is n...

 

Hi all. Had the first visit to my consultant on Friday since Jan 10th when I had my p.m fitted. A couple of things, he has taken me off the Bisoporol, side effects were not nice after three months, and it was doing little to control a 'flutter'. I've been put on two tabs now. Flecainide twice a day and one Verapamil (vera-til sr). Also my pm is too close to the surface, the wires from it are quite proud and the whole area very tender I think it may be weight loss in that area? So it is going to be re-sited probably behind the muscle. An interesting day!
Brian

 

I had my initial pm put in about 8 years ago and the low number was set at 60 and I felt pretty good. Was pacing about 40% of the time. I had to change doctors and I needed a new pacer due to the battery. The new one is set at 50. I feel tired all the time and don't have much energy. The dr said it is fine set at 60. I am now only pacing about 8% of time. I also get light headed alot more but thankfully haven't had any passing out.

 

Hi everyone! Went back to get my PM adjusted AGAIN (twice since my surgery on 4-09) But NOW I feel great!!!!!!! Dr. had put my PM low rate up to 80 thinking this would help me not feel the PAC's as much but I felt miserable! It did not help with the PAC's! Really haven't been feeling the best since the surgery. But today the Medtronic rep adjusted the Rate Response. Didn't think to ask about that before - just knew it was on for SSS.

So he adjusted the RR to low sensitivity and put the low rate back to 70. WOW - what a difference a little adjustment makes!!!!

Thanks so much for all the good advice here. I feel like a new person!

Keep well,
juju

 

The 17th I sent a...whats it called...strip by phone? They said everything is fine.
Remember I said I had issues the evening before? This was Sunday evening. I did. Thats when Nascar went...is it called EOL?? My device nurse was quite shocked. I go back next week to see when I get Nascar2.
Nascar1 runs at 100%, 100% of the time.
At least I know why these things were happening. Very long day and I am quite tired.
Have a lovely evening, Kreth

 

Firstly thanks for the direct and indirect help from the forum members. I had my first checkup yesterday, 3 weeks after the initial procedure (and a few major complications).

Thanks to the forum, I was much more prepared for this and was able to ask sensible questions.

It looks like the complications I had, have now settled down and are unlikely to reoccur or affect me again.

The PM is working fine with an estimated 11 years to go (sure to change over time). Leads are fine. Settings have been changed, as initially only one lead was active. Now both are on. I'm pacing at about 30%.

Been recommended I take another 2 weeks off to recover, before exercising at the gym or returning to work.

 

Hello this is Yolanda, I had my PM put in on 3/6/13 (Boston Scientific dual chamber model K063). My setting were initially 60 low and 145 high and then my sensitivity was adjusted twice between 3/13 and 3/27 in which my sensitivity was turned up so i could begin exercising some to lose the 45 pounds i put on prior to PM. When i went in to see my Dr to get medical clearance to return to work as I am a R.N., he made more adjustments which included increasing my high to 160 because from 3/27 to 4/18 my HR was 145 more then 10% of the time he said (was doing alot of walking and feeling better than ive fely in a long time), he also adjusted some of my sensing features. I returned to work that night and felt horrible, overwhelmed and just plain ...

 

My "check-up" is with the device nurse. They read the strip and say the pacemaker is fine. That just is not enough info. No matter who I see, same answer.
[I had issues yesterday in the evening which lasted for quite a while. I will make them aware of this].
I will also be asking for copies of my records. Will they give me a copy of the strip?
Note, I do realize the "device nurse" is there just to check the strip, and not "doctor" me.
Nascar [the PM], has been very different the last month.
Hope you all have a great Monday.....
Kreth

 

Hi Tracey just wanted to let you know I posted another comment asking a few more questions under the message "Need some advice." Since it is an old post I thought you would not see it.

Thanks sooo much,
juju

 

hi iam just learning how to get on the site with every one so I don't no what I doing I got my pacemaker feb 26 2013 I go to get a ck up may2