Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Mentally having a tough time after having a pacemaker installed

I had a pacemaker put in on April 3rd after having fainting spells and being rushed to the hospital with 3rd degree AV heart block.  The doctor told me had I not been in the hospital when I had my last spell I would have probably died.  I recovered nicely and am back to playing golf but have a lot of sports injuries that limit my physical activity.  I can however walk but that is about it as I have bad knees and a fused right ankle.  I'm having a tough time feeling ver...

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Tingling feeling in my left arm

Good morning-

Brand new to the group.  I am 57 and thought I was in great health, only to have three fainting episodes and now a pacemaker.  My question to the group is that I had my pacemaker surgery last Tuesday and am moving about following the Dr's orders and restrictions.  My  question to the group is that I have some tingling (sp) in my left arm and am wondering if this is part of the healing process?  My left arm is the side where my pacemaker wa...

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Metoprolol

I have a dual chamber Medtronic for about 18 months. I have complete heart block with my atrium pacing about 4% and ventricle pacing at 92%. I was complaining about palpitations (feeling skipped beats which still make me anxious), so my Doctor put me on 25mg Metoprolol. Still pacing too high so we halved that dose to 12.5 mg.

My question is, does the Metoprolol slow my heart rate causing the high pacing? I went a year after implantation with no meds at all. Recent pm check and blood wor...

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SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Dear Pacemaker Recipients, 

I'm an academic researcher trying to learn more about your experience receiving & living with a pacemaker. I develop tools to help improve cardiac treatments and believe the patient experience should contribute a larger voice during development. If you'd like to share a bit of your experince in this 3-minute, anonymous survey, it would go a long way in helping us improve the current standard of care. 

Many thanks,&nb...

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SVT/AT/AFIB Ablation

I'm 63 years old. I have a St. Jude/Medtronic Dual Chamber pacemaker since early 2019. Was told I had SSS. All went well until this past year. I started feeling rather unwell, short of breath, fatigue, and just blah. Blood pressure became uncontrolled and high. We tried several new meds to get it down, Lisinopril HCTZ & CARVEDILOL.  I told my cardiologist that something still wasn't right. He ordered echocardiogram, carotid scan, and nuclear stress test. Nothing was found. I...

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Pacemaker effectiveness for syncope

After dealing with vasovagal syncope (randomly passing out, on average about once a year) for 27+ years (with increasingly longer recovery time), my cardiologist recommended a pacemaker.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue?

And has the pacemaker helped to prevent a syncope episode?

I'm 56, in good shape, active and run a few times per week. My heart and rhythms seem fine, but when I run into a vasovagal syncopal episode, my BP and heart rate drop.  So, I'...

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YouTube

I found  this YouTube channel that might be of interest to those here.  Douglas Rachac (search for his name) isn't a professional but talks about a wide range of PM and ICD topics.

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NERVE CONDUCTION TEST

In 2019 I had Carpel Tunnel surgery on my right hand.  I now have same problem with my left hand.  My PM was installed this Jan (on the left side).

I have an appointment next Tues (June 20th) with the surgeon that did surgery in 2019.

Some of the tests I had to have before surgery was a NERVE CONDUCTION TEST which, by the way, raised me right off the table while it was being done.

I know that the surgeon will have to clear with my local Cardio guy to get an &q...

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Return of PMT?

To set the stage, I am an 80 year old female with complete heart block.  My pacemaker is a dual chambered St. Jude/Abbott that I've had almost 4 years.  

About six months ago my fatigue issues worsened to the point that the simplest of household chores or short walks caused my heart rate to rise to 130.  I would then need to lay down and rest for a few minutes before resuming the chore.  I have had several adjustments over the years including...

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Dual chamber Leadless pacemakers are doing great in initial trials!

I would ask you guys to read this article. I don't know if it was posted previously by anyone here previously but I am a little excited about this !! here is the link. It was published just 17 days ago ! https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2023/05/20/cleveland-clinic-led-trial-shows-dual-chamber-leadless-pacemaker-system-to-be-safe-and-effective-for-patients-with-heart-rhythm-issues/

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Major dental extraction

Thought I should share this.  3 weeks ago underwent my first adult dentition extraction - upper 8 molar (i.e 3rd molar tooth) with 4 large roots. My dentist warned me that there was a significant risk that this extraction might create a connection between my mouth and the maxillary antrum on that side.  As I'm a proven nasal carrier of Staph Aureus (happily methicillin sensitive, so MSSA and *not* MRSA) I said that I would need prophylactic antibiotic cover.  Turns out that...

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Reasons of anxiety

After reading like hundreds of posts in this sweet little community, I came to the conclusion that post op anxiety is very common. Even I have suffered from it and still kind of suffering. I can confirm that the anxiety and depression comes from thinking of our future with the pacemaker. Basically the main concerns are like what will happen to our leads in long run , what might happen if the lead extraction surgery goes wrong, what might happen if some pacemaker induced cardiac problems occur...

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Members Gallery

Why when I post a JPG it posts upside down?  Can someone explain how to fix this?

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Driving pre pacemaker

Hi

Waiting for a pacemaker precibed because of Bundle Branch Block.  Had 4 incidents of shortness of breath due to low heart rate (in 3 years, latest 6 months ago) only one caused a faint, 3 have been early AM when asleep in bed and the fainting one first thing after breakfast.  

Had 24hr tape monitor which was a waste of time as nothing happened! 

Medics making noises about driving but nothing in writing and am currently not driving voluntarily...

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Long Distance Travel with my Pacemaker

Everyone has some worry and stress over traveling long distance with our pacemakers.  I have taken three long distance trips over the past 18-months with no issues.  I just recently to a 23 day holiday in Japan on an 11 hour flight from San Francisco to Tokyo with no issues.

I did monitor my oxygen rate as the aircraft are pressurized to 7,500 feet.  My O2 level did drop from 98% to 91% while at altitude but it was not an issues and returned to normal after landing.

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AV node Ablation

Hi fellow members,

I am interested to hear from anyone who has had the above and their experience, good or bad. Are you happy with the outcome. Has it made life easier, can you breathe and exercise more.?

I ask because my Cardiologist believes I may need one as my meds Bisoprolol and PM are not working well as my arrhythmias are still giving me problems.

I have Bradycardia and Tachycardia hence the PM and meds and it's hard to get the balance right.

I know that the...

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message for new members

During house keeping, I often come across questions in the Bio of new members, questions that will clearly not be seen by the majority of us unless we hit upon these by chance.  This leaves a new member without any support and answers from Pacemaker Club members when they most need it.

While we all appreciate a Bio being completed to give us some useful information about a new member, information like their reason for their pacemaker or ICD and anything else the...

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Alcohol?

What are folks views on drinking alcohol after having pacemaker  inserted? Just something  such as a pre dinner drink.

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Pacemaker Feedback Requested

Hi,

I have refused to get a pacemaker for years, though it continues to be strongly recommended by my cardiologists. I think at this point I may need to accept that I have to have one. 

Can anyone give share how it feels with one implanted? Does is show? I'm fairly thin and I'm afraid it will stick out and be apparent with the blouses I wear for work. How difficult is it getting into security for airports and concerts? Any advice for me would be appreciated....

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His Bundle pacing

Hi,

Does anyone have any data showing which hospitals in the UK are most successful at HIS bundle lead placement?

Thanks

John

 

 

 

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I am a competitive cyclist with a pacemaker!