Most Recent Messages in Complications

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St. Jude Recall? ..scary

I am 100% paced and my device is 3 years old. My device was recalled because of possible moisture penetration. My battery went from 9.5 yrs to 3 months in a very short time. I had my device changed asap by St. Jude/Abott.. any one here go through a device failure or know of the protocol on this? My Merlin notified the Cardiologist  stat. All opinions appreciated 

 

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Vein blockage caused by pacemaker leads

Hi my dual lead pacemaker was fitted in August 2019. Since it was fitted I had had problems with my arm and veins around the pacemaker site. During the last year my arm has become swollen blotchy and blue in places. My shoulder and vein in neck are also swollen. I have been diagnosed by a vascular surgeon as having a very rare complication of having a pacemaker, in that the leads have blocked my vein. I have had venoplasty and venogram. I take daily blood thinners and wear hand and arm compre...

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Update on I want a pacemaker for Christmas !

Hi,

I was finally given the clearance to get my new pacemaker and it was inserted a week ago on the right hand side of my chest. You would not believe how exciting this is for me after weeks of severe infections, several operations including the one to remove the pacemaker, which by far was the worst operation. I still have recovery to master and adjust again to having a new pacemaker but at least I can now start to look forward to living life again. 
I am seeing my cardiologi...

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Arm pain

I had a PM inserion (left side) just a little over a year ago for complete heart block.  After 6 weeks of limited range of motion (ROM) for the  arm (per drs. orders), I develped frozen shoulder syndrome.  I went to a massage therapist and she helped me with the majority of the pain and ROM.  I still have pain in my arm and now  I believe that this is due to the PM hitting up against nerve/nerves.  The PM is underneath the skin.  Has anyone else experie...

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PM/ICD distorts left ventricle

I've finally gotten the answers regarding my pacemaker disaster. During several trips to Mayo Climic for near fainting and difficulty breathing, they determined I needed a mitral valve replacement and even broached the subject of a heart transplant. Their tests showed an extremely distorted left ventricle including the mitral valve. 
 

my wife and I drove home figuring out the logistics of an open heart surgery which would require a months stay in Scottsdale...

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Covid and ICD

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone tested for Covid yet ? I am Covid positive and wanted to know how bad this may affect me. I am vaccinated and boosted. Could my Covid worsen my condition or can my Covid be worst than usual because of my condition?

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Venous insufficiency in pacemaker arm

I have developed venous insufficiency in my right arm, the same side where my pacemaker is implanted (and my dominant arm.)  Symptoms that led to that diagnosis were: purplish tint to my arm, feelings of heaviness in my arm, bulging veins on the inside wrist and occasional numbness in my right hand. I also had bruising on the upper arm that has not resolved after 4 weeks. I saw both my internist and cardiologist when this first occurred about 3 weeks ago.

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arrythmia

I have had an arrythmia for 4 hours or more. Feel like crap - tired and a little light-headed.

3rd arrythmia since pacemaker was implanted in Aug. 2021. This is the longest it's lasted.

Does this just run its course without intervention, or should I call 911?

I know you're not doctors, but you guys are pretty well informed. Would appreciate your input at your earliest opportunity. Thanks.

 

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Atrial Tachycardia

So I had a generator replacement on Dec 15. I posted before about this because during the procedure and an hour after I went into afib and developed what they told me was an atrial flutter. They used the pacer to trick my heart back into a normal rhythm and gave me meds to control it. Today at my follow up, after they had time to review the events of that day, said it was not really a flutter but atrial tachycardia. Has anyone else had this after a gen change? I was 30 when I got my first pac...

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Pacemaker insomnia

Hello,

I got a crt pacemaker 2 years ago and have been dealing with lack of sleep, so much so, that I thought I had fatal insomnia.  Was told by technician they never heard of anything like that.  I know what your thinking....anxiety.  No....I have had a pacemaker since 1999 at 25 years of age.  Mechanical heart valve surgery left me with heart block.  A dddr was placed with 2 leads. I slept fine.  Battery wore out, got a new pacemaker, slept fine.  2...

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High altitude and soreness

Hi All,

Got my ICD, October 2021. I've relocated to a high altitude location in California (5,000ft+ elevation). I've noticed that the area around my implant site becomes a little bit sore during the colder months here (right now actually). I am assuming this is normal correct ? I can feel a distinct lack of soreness when we do head down to lower and normal elevation. I also feel more active in lower altitudes. This is all normal right ? Does anyone else deal with a high elevati...

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Palpitations

Hi

had a pacemaker fitted in August.  Scans show no heart disease, I had been taking blackouts.  I have been experiencing palpitations occasionally when I go upstairs or lift anything as well as some breathlessness.  Has anyone else had similar experience?  Pacemaker is a Medtronic.

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Would love a pacemaker for Christmas !

Hi,

I have been a member of the club for two years now after I received my Medtronic pacemaker for a cardiac arrest. I suffer with bradycardia and vasovagal syndrome and am very symptomatic ! Life for me was ticking along just fine with my pacemaker and to be honest I had forgotten it was there which was a great place to be in. However 6 th October I was operated on to remove my device and leads because i suffered a bad infection and sadly it was the cause. When it was removed my cardio...

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ABBOTT MODEL 2088TC/52

Have had the implant since 8/2021. They had to go in and change the leads because they were irritating my heart. Everything was fine until after that until October of this year. Now I hve shortness of breath, fatigue and dizziness since then. Had a Abbott technition do an ajustment 3 weeks ago, but now the symtons are back. Have had all the tests done; blood, echco, ct scan and everthing comes back normal. Anyone else having this experience?

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Armpit irritation

Hi, any advice on what to do with armpit pain?

I had my second pacer inserted 2 years ago and as typical got a properly frozen shoulder also second time around.  I've managed to recover from it with several months of exercise and physio, but I have a terrible pinching sensation in the armpit and it does not go. Some of the mobility is still reduced. I've been given all clear by the doctors, apparently clinically it's perfectly positioned, but I notice it is much closer...

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flutter

Can a pacemaker self-convert a person if they are in flutter.  A woman I know has had flutter episodes and said she has had her pacemaker convert her.  I didn't know a pacer could do that, so I am asking if that is possible.  I belive she has to go to a pacer clinc for that.  She has had 4 ablations and her heart rate goes high for her and she then get an ECV she has had a lot of ECVs they work for a while then she goes into flutter again.  Her doctor wants to abl...

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Replacement Delayed

I was scheduled to have my pacemaker replaced this Friday because I am on the last 3 months of the battery and he also wants to put in a third lead, but he wanted me to get an echo and Stress Test this week, both of which came back abnormal with an EP of 39% and apparently possible blockage somewhere that showed up on the Stress Test (haven't seen the results yet).  Suggested I contact a cardiologist to do a heart cath.  All this was done through his NP because I never see...

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Covid Vaccine

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone else may have experience changes in their hearts after getting their two Covid vaccinations.  I went in for my 6 month check up with cardio doctor and when he looked at my echo he said he was concerned to see my right side severly enlarged.  Up to the point I have had a complete heart block due to Sarcoidois in my heart and all LV problems.  I have read how some younger people are having heart issues after the vaccine.  I go to see hi...

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Shortness of breath

Hi everyone, 

I am 23 and I just got my first pacemaker 2 weeks ago😪 I was born with situs invertus and bradycardia but found out about bradycardia 6 years ago. I spend a lot of time here in this club and I am so happy that I am able to connect with people that share the same machine in their bodies as I do! (I posted a lot of questions too because I am very anxious). 
anyway, I just wanted to ask if anyone ever felt shortness of breath after their implantation or in gene...

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Felt a strong pace

Hello, 

i was drinking water and i felt a stronger pace in my heart than usual. I got my first pacemaker 10 days ago, my after surgery appointment with my EP is on December 23rd (very mad about it, I wanted to see my EP sooner than that after my implantation). Anyways, has anyone felt that before? A stronger pace from the pacemaker? 
I  got anxious/scared

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You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.