Most Recent Messages

Medtronic PM settings

I'd like to know what the settings mean. I got a printout from the EP Technician, but she does not want to take the time to explain everything to me.
What she told me was the PM is doing atrial pacing 98%, the ventricular lead is turned OFF. Don't know why, because they told me the reason for the PM was my resting heart rate was too low, and the heart pauses; so the PM was put in to maintain the low heart rate. But, I feel that the PM is working all the time, even when my heart rate is over...

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new pm on friday

Hi to all. I was just wondering if any of you that have had your pm replaced in the last 6months could let me know what type you had put in and how long the battery will last. I am going in on Friday for replacement and wanted to get some info. Having a hard time finding anything on new tech for pm. thanks

patty

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Confused.

I have had a PM/ICD for 4 years and been shocked by the ICD twice in that time and when it shocks it's like being kicked in the chest by a horse. I am confused when I read that some members are 'shocked' by their PM's or know when they 'fire'. My question is, do PM's shock as ICD's do? Mine doesn't, it's the ICD that brings my heart back to life when I go into VF, so are there different types of PM? My understanding is that the PM detects a strange rhythm and then paces the heart to settle...

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bad lead

A recent hospital stay revealed a poorly functioning pacemaker, allowing my heart rate to go as low as 46 when set at 50. A year and a half ago,had a st jude's pm implanted, and immediately it was discovered the lower lead was not working properly and was using excessive voltage to do the job This shortened the life of th battery to31/2 yrs.and I accepted this outcome rather than havethe wires revised by operation Because of the hospital report.I visited my EP, who upped the voltage to maximum...

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More risk to PM Dependent patients.....

Did anyone know that there is more risks to surgery if you're PM dependent?

The surgeon says I'm at higher risk of stroke, heart attack and general heart damage!!!

I have a cyst in my Common Bile Duct, seems to be benign but will cause malignancy if left....so no real choices.

Apparently, it's harder to monitor us under anaesthesia, we do NOT respond to "stressors" such as infection or internal bleeding, post-op.....our heart rates do not increase, their first si...

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OOOOOOO HAPPY BIRTHDAY! OOOOOOO

To Chris ( CBulifant ) September 1, ( 1970 )

CHRIS,

May all good things come your way today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!!!

~ Dominique ~

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Re: CBD Surgery

Thankyou to Pete and Gellia, guess I'd better get on with it, eh?

Unfortunately, laprascopic surgery is not an option, as he has to see what he's doing.... I concur.

When they have to remove the CBD and resect a new one, it's a lot of "stuff" to visualize and they don't want to cause injury to nearby organs.

I'm very worried about being off blood thinners, as I have chronic AFib. Sure hope I can have that epidural though, the pain sounds awful!!

Tha...

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Anyone chatting these days?

I'm here sitting in chat, it's been empty recently......

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Hi Everyone

I had my pacemaker check at the Geelong Hospital yesterday. They don't implant Ela's in Geelong so they got a technician to come down from Melbourne to the Cardiology Department. He was a really nice guy and knew my Technician in Hobart. He did make some comment about my pacemaker being set low. It is on 50 min - 132 max rate. It was set at this a couple of years ago when I felt a kick in the ribs each time the pacemaker started. If I was sitting down I would have to get up and walk aroun...

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block terminology- question for Frank

You've mentioned you don't like the general term heart block. Can you tell me the different types of blocks? I know my signals from SA to AV nodes are blocked and my medical records say CCHB but I've had doctors call it BBB, 3rd degree block and av block over the years. Can you please tell me the difference between the terms? I just ignored the different names but you've got me curious :o)

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janet's questions

Ok, I feel like an idiot. Maybe some of you can educate me further. My upper rate is 130. That's all the programmer said. This is my 2nd adustment is pm surgery 6 wks ago. It's was given for a 2nd degree block in my ventricle (right one). Question: does rate mean pulse? TraceyE, they set yours to the max of 160? Is this your pulse during a work out? Is this setting hard on your heart? Or does it just give you the capability of exerting yourself better w/o getting SOB? I'm 55yo and work...

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heart rate

Hi, thanks Maryanne and Smitty for your questions and answers. Maryanne, they said my "upper rate" is set at 130. I'm not sure what that means.
Thanks, Janet

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Has anyone had pulmonary vein ablation for afib?

If so was it successful?
Are you able to wean yourself off bet blockers?

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Is this Normal?

I'm 6 wks post op now, have a dual chamber pm. My atria is paced 1% and the ventricle at 48%. My rate is set at 130. I still need alot of education, and my understanding is limited at best. I still feel tired most the time, feel challenged to walk faster, feel SOB when I try. Feel some chest pressure when I exert still (but it's not as bad as it was) I keep being told I'll feel like a "million bucks" but it hasn't happened yet. How can I tell what's post op recovery and what's a wrong sett...

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Left axis deviation

HI all,
I have not been posting for a long time, but I check the site every day and enjoy everyone's input. All of you have been a great help to me.
I went to the ER today in our small town. I have been having lots of irregular heartbeat, nausea and diarrhea and thought that perhaps my electrolites were off. I'm also on digoxin and my symptoms matched those of toxicity. Our local ER is nothing to brag about and only one doctor is present in the whole hospital on weekends:-(
All th...

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$&$&$ HAPPY BIRTHDAY! $&$&$

Today is ( winelover )'s Birthday. August 31, ( 1954 )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINELOVER!

Wishing you a Birthday filled with dreams, and a year in which they all come true.

~ Dominique ~

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battery dying

I have a metronix pm for 11yrs. The battery is low and I will have my 2nd pm done on the 5th Sept. I have been feeling lite headed, tried,lack of energy. The dr. said these were all signs that indicated the battery was wearing down. It seemed to take a long time for this one to go down. I have a dual pm d/t complete heart block. hopes this helps

patty

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NJ?

Hi everyone..hope all are well. So, I went to my first EP doctor on Thursday and came home more upset than when I first went. He was SO caught up on how young I was, I felt he was more preoccupied with that. Quite frankly, if I hadn't come onto this site and see how many young people do have pm's (I'm 23), I probably would have let him scare the life out me and NEVER agree to get one. I've been told by 3 cardiologists that I will probably end up needing a pm because of my taching and then sudden...

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PM lead needed to be inserted 4 times

Has anyone heard of a case where a PM lead needed to be inserted for the fourth time in a period of 2 months? Just had PM install 6 weeks ago and the doctors has tried 3 attempt at differt times (3 procedures) to install the leads . Now wants to send me to London to have it done.

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what does it feel like when your battery or pacemaker is dying?

ive called my cardiologist but i have to wait until wednesday to be seen. i can't do an over the phone transmission bc i dont own a landline (thanks to modern technology). im really faint and break out into sweats if i do too much. i cant breath and the entire area where my unit is sore (more than the rainy day usual). any feed back would be greatly appreciated. oh and specifcs, i have a kdr701 pm implanted in 2002/08. im 24 yrs old and this is my second unit, ive had a pm since i was 2yo.

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You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

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