Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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New PM Implantee

Good day all and good health;

On 4/16/2008 I had a Medtronics dual lead pacemaker implanted.

I was suffering from asymptomatic syncope, which occcured shortly after I awoke.

The first, notable episodes occurred this past January: awoke at 4:30 AM, sat up, turned off the alarm, woke up again face down on the carpet within a minute.

I had a complete physical, plus stress test and ultrasound EKG; situation completely normal, save mildly high blood pressur...

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new here!

Hi everyone, I recently found this site, Im a 32 y/o mother of a 2 year old. I've had my pm since 2004. They say I have maybe 2 years till I have the battery changed, but Im planning on having a couple more kids. Did any of you have to plan children around that or can you have it changed if you are pregnant? I'd appreciate any input- thanks

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Jessie - Chat

Jessie if you are around I will wait in chat for you for a bit. Billie

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Anyone know the answers to these questions?

First let me explain I am 44, And I died on 12/04/07 during a routine EP study.They had to use the real defibrilators next to the table to start me up again. [true story]

The nurse asked what was it like being dead. I said, " All I remembered was total blackness,and I was arguing with someone, I couldn't remember if it was God explaning that I was not welcome up there because I would cause too much trouble, or Satan explaining I was not welcome there either because he was afraid I'd t...

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Overdue Introduction

Hi all. I realized in my excitment of posting messages (and spending hours reading other's postings) that I had not introduced myself to the group. My name is John and I'm in Madison, Wisconsin. I'm 40 had my pacemaker installed 3 weeks ago. So far, so good. I'm curious if people know how much they are pacing? The tech says I'm pacing around 88 percent in my ventricle....sounds rather high to me.

Alas, I'm happy to be here although a month ago I would have said: "A pace what?".<...

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too old to start over

All my doc's say to start the ssa disablity process.

I've cheked with SSA, I'll loose everthing and starve to death on their help.

I worked construction 35 years. Too old and tired to learn something new.

How do others survive??

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COUGHING

Hi Everyone

I'm almost 3 weeks since my ICD implant; my question is about coughing. I coughed a lot before the surgery, after surgery no coughing, but yesterday I started coughing again. I'm disappointed that I'm coughing again. Also, my energy level seems to be slowly coming back. How long does it take to get back to feeling reasonably normal. I'm only 53, active and healthy. So what gives!

Thanks for your input,
Linda

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Wanted to introduce myself

My name is Kathryn and I am 32 years old. I had my PM installed November 2007 following the birth of my second child. During labor I went into heart failure and died. I remember hearing my child cry and that was last thing I heard. I was given atrophine to restart my heart and for a few months my heart would beat normal and then would drop in the 40s and then go back to normal. I had an EP study done and was told my only option was a PM. I never had a heart problem before this incident and...

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Hello everybody

Just wanted to say to those I sometimes chat with that I haven't been around much because our dog has been very sick. I know that in light of health issues many people and their human family members have this may seem small, but we've had him for almost 8 years and this has been quite stressful for our family.
Vonnie

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Exercise

I have had my pm for over a year. I paid special attention to keeping it in a sling as they suggested for the six weeks. I was even told not to bother but I found myself wanting to lift my arm over my head especially in my sleep. I would stick to this for the 6 weeks but in the meantime throughout the day I would take the sling off and exercise it but not raise it above the shoulder. It paid off. I have had no problems. Good Luck DD

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pacemaker moved

I had my pacemaker inserted in october of 2007. Recently I've noticed that it seems to have moved toward the outside of my chest and rotated upwards. Is it normal for this to happen? I haven't done anything recently to cause this to happen and there is no pain, only a little soreness where it moved to. I also have noticed that when i lay on my side it causes pain I was wondering if this was normal also. I would appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Margaret

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Problem or not???

Hi everyone,
My pacemaker was originally set between 70/110 bpm.
When I tried to regain some of my fitness level, I had difficulty going as fast/far as I wished to go.
At my checkup, last week, the doc changed the settings to 70/125 bpm.
**He said that it had NOT gone above 70bpm.

Now, when I try to push myself, my pulse seems to be at 70 max.!!

I feel okay but still cannot go as fast/far as I wish.

My Hubby is wondering if it could be a "def...

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For BlueAustralia

Billie - I've tried twice to reply to your too kind private message. Much easier, and by far the most sensible way, for us to correspond would be to by-pass the inadequate facilities on this site. If you would like to write to my personal e-mail account, then I'll pass it onto you if you'll contact me further via private messages on this site. It's all simply too silly for words. I did so enjoy your message, though. Love, Wannabe

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Continuing to breastfeed during/after implantation

I have had my pacemaker for almost 9 years and rarely give it a second thought. But in 2 weeks I'm getting my first replacement. I'm worried, because I'm still nursing my 8 1/2 month old, and have no intentions of stopping (especially since he's a tiny preemie who needs the best nutrition he can get to catch up).

I have a supply of milk pumped for the day of the surgery, and possibly some extra after that, but I'm very worried about how we'll get through this without affecting my mil...

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pacemaker protection

Hello all,
I just want to let all know that I have invented a product for those who would like to be active with protection to their pacemaker. We are in the process of securing all of our manufacturers. Please visit www.paceguard.com for a brief history and overview. A prototype is currently being used with very good results. We are excited to get this to the pacemaker community. Any questions, email us at sspinnler@optonline.net or fcarms@yahoo.com. PaceGuard, "Play for Lif...

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gentlben4u

Hey, im in chat!

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Thank you

I just want to thank everyone who replied about my concerns with taking Prozac. It was very reasurring to know that other do take it and have had no further problems with iregular heart beats.

I will continue to take it and get on with my life knowing that my heart and mind are both being taken care of.

In the meantime I am still waiting for our genetic testing results which is a worry but as I can change that I will change myself and be more positve.

thanks for...

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*****Chrissie and Peter N Meet******

Hi everyone,
I know I have not been on site much this last six months..... that is because I was cross...... Father Chistmas never got me what I wanted !!!!!! anyhow I am over it now....

I thought you might be interested to know that my self and my wife Nina had a drive out yesterday to visit Chrissie (Wingart) We had a fantstic day ...Chrissie was lovely ..just a down to earth girl with a great sense of humour.... we went out for Sunday lunch to a pub on the river and it was gr...

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reading Holter results

does anyone have any insight on reading Holter results? I am waiting for a scheduled appointment to discuss with my doctor but had hoped I could get a head start on understanding the results.
I would be more than happy to post the results if someone has any insight!

Thanks in advance for any help!!

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lifting arm part two!

Hello everyone, today i went to see Jenny who looks after me at the hospital and tweaks my pm. asked about lifting my arm and she told me to go ahead! she even made me do it there and then. she checked me on the machine just to put my mind at ease that nothing was happening to my wires while i was raising my arm up. It was quite tight and stiff but i am now confident enough to start doing it and i know it wont be long before it will be as strong as my right arm. Just thought id update you.
...

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Your heart’s electrical system has a manmade helper. A helper that only knows to do what it is programmed to do and will perform that function day in and day out, without fail. Now, go enjoy your new grip on life.