Most Recent Messages in Complications

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Should I or Not!?!?

Well I just got some news that I was waiting for, however I wasnt ready for it. My EP doc that wasnt for me getting a PM told me he is leaving it up to me! Im in total shock. Yeah, I knew this was comming, but I didnt know what I would do about it. He uped all my meds and told me to think about it and get back with him. I feel horrible w/ all the meds and I dont want to rely on them forever, but then again once i choose the pm I cant go back. He said the PM would help alot but he is worried abou...

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Exit Block?

Hi- has anyone ever had exit block with their leads? I had my PM installed in August and found out today that I have exit block. I am so scared- does anyone have any input on this complication? Thanks!

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exhaustion & sleep apnea

I had a medtronic pacemaker installed about 2 years ago for SSS. Within weeks following I felt an increased level of exhaustion. In bringing it up to my doctor he felt it was depression and started me on effexor. That didn't help and the exhaustion continued to the point that I'd become practically dysfunctional in my job...memory loss, lack of concentration, no enthusiasm. I brought myself off the effexor last summer and with continued complaints to the doctor about listlessness, was given a te...

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Computer

I have heard that some pacemakers are sensitive to computers causing a rapid heartbeat. I have a Biotronic two lead pm that was put in in Feb. 2006. I dont know if it is power of suggestion or if it really does step up my heartrate and make it beat harder. Does anyone have any comments or experience with this? Love this website. Thanks! DD

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Shocking

Hi everyone
I had my second pm in 2005, my first one was in for 17 years and no problem at all, but my second one, well what can I say. I have not been too good since having this one, it is a Medronic, that is all i know about it. At the moment it is in my left shoulder but I am having sorness around the pacing box and a little swelling. Occassionally I get small like shocking waves going down my left arm. As anyone else experienced this.
Please advice if at all possible
Thank...

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swimming

when I swim, my left arm swells up and goes numb so I have to stop for 20 seconds at the end of each length until the swelling subsides (no blood return since they put the leads in a vein).

Does anyone else experience swelling. I don't have blood clot and this happened right off the bat six years ago when I had my pacemaker.

Is there a solution to this.

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severe emphysema

aside from having total heart block for years and a pacemaker for 23 years, i'm 63. i have now been diagnosed with severe emphysema, i' really having a hard time with it. does anyone know if this is going to decrease my mortality?

have a good day and GOD BLESS,
nelson

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lawyers

abyone have any experience with lawsuits and ICD or pms? It looks like thats where we're headed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Kirby

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bad pm wires

hello
does any one know were to go and get updates on the bad wires i have a pm on recall but i have't seen much more about it don't know where to look i guess my email addres is huskersnb1@yahoo.com if any one want to help me out please put pm recall in heading
my model number is 6949 with the 65 mm wire
i come on here every nite to check things out
I'm suprised there aint a link here so people can go check these issues out since they are so important to us all
t...

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I don’t know what to do!

I have a Medtronic KDR701 Pacemaker for Vasovagal Syncope (on tilt table my heart stopped for 2.5 minutes). I had it implanted when I was 21 (7.5 years ago) and have had little to no problems to date except for the general discomfort of it. This week I have experienced shocks through my shoulder and have gone to get a check up. The doctor told me I have a faulty lead but that I don’t need the ventricular lead really so he simply reduced the voltage so as it wouldn’t shock me as much and told me...

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PM/ICD Problems

What a great site...wish I ahd found it years ago. I had an ICD implanted in 2002 and a little over a year later the impedence dropped drammatically. They told me that they were watching a possible lead problem but all was well. A yeaar later I went to a differant clinic to have the ICD checked and the tech flipped out and wanted me to stay in the hospital until he could get the company tech there. The company tech checked it and said "all is well". Six months later the unit failed when my heart...

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First Time Here - Question

I was really glad to find this site. I thought there has to be something like this out there. I have a couple of questions but first some of my story- the short version. I have a Medtronic pacemaker model ADDR put in on December 18, 2006 and I am feeling much better. I had spent the previous 18 months knowing something was wrong and doing a doctor route that only added to my fatigue. Why was this so hard to diagnose? I was diagnosed on December 11th with heart block 3. My heart was not just sl...

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Can my pacemaker shift after 2 years?!

Hello everyone;

Wow! I just found this site, pretty cool! I wish I would have found it two years ago when I first had my pacemaker implanted and was sulking because I felt like a failure, needing a pacemaker at 21 (I know these weren't rational thoughts! But weaning yourself off of pain medication doesn't always give you the clearest of heads!). Anyway, the reason I stumbled upon this site is because I've had this nagging, gnawing feeling that something's not right. I feel like my pac...

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heartrate

I had a AvNode ablation in Feb.2007 for atrial fibrillation with severe palpitations. After months of medicine not agreeing with me I went into emergency with a heartrate of 170 BPM. They put ina Biotronic two lead pacer and I am 100%dependent. My problem now is panic atttacks and shortness of breath and anxiousness. Also my heartrate spikes to 87 to 99 resting heartrate. I have been on Ativan for anxiety with varied doses for about a year. My Dr. also has me on 10mm Ambien at night for sl...

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Bumpy Roads Increase Heart Rate

I have Biotronik pacer and have recently started having trouble with increased rates when riding in my bumpy diesel truck. My doc has me using a magnet over the pacer when I ride in the truck or on my lawnmower. Pulse rate goes from 55 bpm to 130bpm. anyone else had this problem?

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A little Scare

Hi,
I experienced a scare this past week. I'm 2 weeks out from receiving a pm. I work in cardiac and my coworkers did an echo on me (show and tell sort of thing) well it appeared my atrial lead had migrated through my valve and into my ventricle. Showed my EP doc and had an xray which showed the loop of my atrial lead is now in my ventricle, the tip has moved posteriorly in my atrium but the pm is working fine and the thresholds are good. Had the option for them to go back in and readjust b...

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Uncomfortable Feeling in Neck/Throat

I just received my St. Jude Zephyr PM 2 days ago, home from the hospital yesterday afternoon, all seemed well. However, before I went to bed last night I noticed a tightness/soreness in my neck and throat. I awakened several hours later with a fair amount of discomfort, able to take a deep breath but felt pain and pressure while doing so. No lung or chest pain, just this feeling in my neck area. Never had this sensation prior to PM implant....might be coincidental but I am concerned enough t...

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magnets

Hi -- since I've had my pacemaker (3-1/2 years) I have had many weird experiences that I wonder if it has something to do with the pacemaker. It is the same sort of "feeling" that I get when I have the pacemaker check and a magnet is placed over my heart -- only it is much stronger than that. My chest will feel very heavy and I get the same type of feeling, but it lasts much longer and then I get a tightness in my throat and it makes me hoarse for a day or two. I get it when I'm in the car ne...

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conditions improving

Hi again! Thanks for the responses to my questions/comments of 11-01. Now that it's 8wks post-PM, some of my symptoms have settled down quite a bit. (yay!) The armpit area still gets pains often, as I use my arm all day on my job. But neck, back and chest/breast pains are greatly reduced. This is very encouraging.
Since my check-up w/PM tech, I have not felt the PM pace at all. Since that was my 6wk mark, I started using my arm overhead as soon as her check proved everything ok. Before...

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Magnets topic

Magnets do indeed impact the operation of the PM.

Security devices should be passed through quickly, otherwise they can interfere with your PM.

As for speakers, they operate on the principle of magnetism/electricity causing vibration. They too impact PMs.

Several intersections causing symptoms of magnetic field:
it could be there are antennas in the vicinity, security devices, or other interfering electro-magnetic fields.

When you feel the disrup...

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You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.