Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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Another specialist...

Just an update to tell you that I did get into see my cardiologist while she was at a local hospital. She actually pulled in the surgeon who did the implant to look at my rash as well. Apparently, he has seen this a couple of other times where a rash develops where the prep solution was used prior to surgery.

So now onto a dermatologist! Hopefully it will be quick. All I want to do is scratch. The rash now covers from my collar bone over the PM site to my armpit.

Thank...

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Sarcoid Specialists

I am needing a heart/lung sarcoid specialists. The docs here are looking for one that I can get to. I had a lung bi-op 8 weeks ago and it is there. It has been in my eyes and they are assumming that it is the cause of my heart problems. Two different cardio docs have told me go to one and they are both looking. I thought this was the best way to find one that would get real people reviews and not just a name on paper. I don't get on here very offten, but this time I am needing help and wou...

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What next?!?!?

Ok, so I'm pretty sure that my regular hospital (the one I'm not too fond of) found out that I am going for a second opinion, and so the nurse who has been putting up with me through this whole ordeal FINALLY called the other day (probably because she was sucking up) and said they ordered a 30 DAY Holter test!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!! *sob* It's going to be pool season soon!! I still remember the 24 hour one... Fun, but embarassing. I think I'm going to ask my friends out to the local pool and clip the...

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Irritation & Change off meds...

It has been a short while since I posted. I have been frustrated with an eczema like rash right over my pm site. My G.P. gave me some hydrocortisone but in using it, it seems less angry but happening over a larger area. Has anyone experienced similar rashes over their pm site??

I was reading on previous posts of other's experience with betablocker meds and asked my Dr. to try an experiment. We are weaning me off of the Metoprolol (I was on the very lowest dose anyway) to see if my...

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Bradycardia/Tachycardia & drugs

I am a 57 YO male. pretty good shape. I have had a Kappa 700 series dual lead PM since 2000. It ios due for a change now, but thats another story.
It seems that I have developed Tachycardia over the last year or more. My pulse before the PM was in the low 40's, now with the PM its 60bpm. Lately my pulse hase been jumping to 130 and then some. My Dr. put me on Verapamil (Calcium blocker)and Digoxin. I can't deal with toporal or other beta blockers. Now I am finding myself more out of brea...

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What to do

I am 50 YO male and a father of two beautiful girls 2 and 4. I was diagnosed with Bradycardia on 1/31/09. I was having light headed episodes while driving and thought it was neurological or my high stress job. Episodes were due to toprol xl, a beta blocker that I was taking because I had slightly elevated BP (>130). Off meds, had cath work done, heart and pipes are clean. Have worn several HOLTER monitors and event recorders. BPM decent during the day ( >50) while sitting at work, higher (60-75)...

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im confused

hi every one ,well im so confused ,we had a call of our gp saying he wants to see hubby regarding a letter he had from the cardiologest at hospital ,they now want him to start taking beta blockers ,he has a pm ddd st judes and a merchanical mitral valve ,and at the pm check up they said all was fine apart from a few bursts of af ,.why do they put you on beta blocker ?he had pm fitted because his heart beat was very very low .with missed beats and af im so confused as his heart beat now is good...

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"heart" burn?

I started having a burning sensation right over my heart maybe in the esophagus. I saw some posts from awhile ago dealing with this, and my doctor also said it was acid reflux.I'm 58 years old and I never had heart burn, not even when I was pregnant. It just started right after getting the PM. If it is nerve stimulation as one of the posts suggested, is there something that should/could be done? I've been popping antacids like candy. And I really don't like to fill my system with unnecessary m...

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Couldn't tolerate the mammogram

Hi everyone,
This is for the ladies out there. I am 4 months post op for my pacemaker. I waited until now to get my yearly mammogram. I usually get it in Jan. or Feb.
I can not tell you how painful it was on the pacemaker side, I couldn't even allow her to squeeze it as much as she needed so my films on the left were not good enough. The normal side was painful too as always. I am 53 and have many years left of mammos, I can't bear the thought of trying again.
I saw th...

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Not doing so well....

Yes, it's true. I am not feeling so good. I know you all won't believe this... BUT I HAVE LOST MY VOICE! I have just come from the dr. office and it seems that I have bronchitis, a sinus infection and an assortment of other maladies to deal with. I was given an antibiotic and cough meds with codeine in it. I don't do well with steroids, so this was the 2nd choice. In fact the pharmacist had to mix it up special for me! I didn't think that that was done anymore? Don't I feel special. The doc. sa...

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MRIs

Hello all!

I just thought I would share some encouraging news that I heard yesterday when my pacemaker was being interrogated. Maybe this is old news, but I didn't see anything posted about this.

Evidentally, while MRIs are not good for us pacers (alternating magnetic fields can destroy pacemakers), they do make shields ("isolation blankets") that reduce the effect of the MRI magnets on the pacemaker. So, I was told that if I, say, needed an MRI on my leg; it is entirel...

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Bradycardia

Hi I'm Jimini and new to the site...

I am now on a 24/7 heart monitor for the next thirty days. I have dizzy spells; some chest discomfort; headaches and forgetfulness. I am 60 and male. I have had a major heartattack in Utila, Honduras in 2001 and one stent placed in my heart. 2007 I had another stent placed... I have noticed with the heart monitor that when the dizzy spells and chest discomfort appear my heart beat is in the low 60 and while sitting at lunch the heart beat drop...

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ER visit last night

After having sharp chest pains in the center and leftsided chest area and also pain in the center of my back for 11/2 days I made a call. Not to the doc but to my brother who is a paramedic in Missouri. (he's my go to guy for questions) He told me to go straight to the er because I could feel my heart beat in my upper stomach area. Evidently you should not be able to feel it there.so my symptoms were consistant with an aortic anyurism. So then I called my cardio to reaffirm the visit to the er....

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worth the work

Hey Guys: I just have to share, that sometimes being persistent does pay off. I have been recently placed on Dofedtilide and when I went to get the RX to my surprise the cost was WAY more than my other copays per insurance. The insurance company told me it was because it was considered a Biotech driug. long story short I did research and talked to the drug company and many calls to insurance, finally went to appeals and they reviewed everything I gave them. That large copay changed, to $30....

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Feeling more stable

I have survived the day. My vomiting has stopped so the problem with not keeping my meds down is no longer a problem. My SOB is because I think I have a chest infection as well. Coughing like mad, still have the horrible headache, sore throat and muscles.
Thank you all for you wonderful comments and suggestions
Susie/Pacergirl

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Medications

Hi, I have an awful headache, SOB, stuffy head, a cough and I have been vomiting every hour or so. I had to sleep sitting up because I can't seem to catch my breath!

I am really sick. I've taken my heart meds, but I could only keep them down for about 20-30 min. My question is how long does it take for my body to absorb the meds? My heart races each time I get sick! The last thing I need is an attack of tackycardia!

If I don't feel better soon, I will call for some help....

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feeling funny

i had my pacemaker put in 2 days ago and now every once in awhile i feel a flutter in my chest and was wondering if this is normal?
pennie

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New Medication

My cardio Dr gave me a new beta blocker med, Bystolic. Generic name is Nebivolol. It supposedly has less side effects than the current beta blockers and is new to the market.
Has anyone used it? How did it work?
I have a DR Medtronic implanted pacemaker and bradycardia. The beta blocker is to control my extra beats and help the blood flow through the heart.
Thanks for any feedback.

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recall

just want to let everyon know ,that digoxin was recalled,if you have not heard it by now

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what goes here?

I had a pacemaker/defrbrllator inserted in February. I am more tired after the insertion than before. I work full time and am getting depressed about always being so tired. Is this fatigue expected? Does it get better?

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You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.