Most Recent Messages

Post Message!

Brands of Pacemakers

Hi All,

I'm 31 and was just told by my dr. that I need a pacemaker. Therefore, I'm doing a lot of research right now and have come across articles such as lawsuits on certain types of recall's for medtronic, etc. Also reading about how some of these pacemakers can "go-wrong" such as tearing a whole in your heart wall and no one would ever know!

Do the majority of folks out there have the medtronic brand? how do i know which one is the best one? sorry for the ignorance,...

Read More...

Thanks for advcie - want to have a baby

Hi again!

Just wanted to say a thank you to the people who gave me help and advice about my issue with pain and wanting have a baby but not getting any answers from anyone. You've really helped me and also made me consider options such as hypno-birthing which I'd never heard of but believe it could help a lot. Its good to know there are people in the same situation who have gone through childbirth ok and have beautiful children. Its given me hope!

Sx

Read More...

Blood pressure issue

I am 58 years old and got a PM put in last years after about two episodes of dizzy spells and the pulse dropping to under 40.I am also on blood pressure medicine HCZ 25 mg.recently my blood pressure readings have been low, specillly i am talking about the lower no. it used to be 115/75 or so like normal but for the last month it has been 112/58,112/62,115/59 etc. I am worried about the lower no;how come it went down from the mid seventies to below 60 now or some times it is in mid sixties.I was...

Read More...

Triathlon Two Days Away

Well, I am officially at the 5 month mark since I received my PM. With that, I know that I am fortunate to still be able to do the thing that I love which is being involved in triathlons. In two days I will line up for the first time since the implant, and to be honest I am a little nervous. Theoretically there should be no complications, but you all know that what the doctors say and what goes through our minds are two totally different things.
Anyway, remember me on Saturday. Here's...

Read More...

Triathlon Two Days Away

Well, I am officially at the 5 month mark since I received my PM. With that, I know that I am fortunate to still be able to do the thing that I love which is being involved in triathlons. In two days I will line up for the first time since the implant, and to be honest I am a little nervous. Theoretically there should be no complications, but you all know that what the doctors say and what goes through our minds are two totally different things.
Anyway, remember me on Saturday. Here's...

Read More...

Amioderone

My husband has been on Amioderone for two months. His doctor has suggested that he have an out-patient test to make sure that the amioderone does not interfere with his pacemaker/defib.'s performance. Apparently they change the setttings on the defib so that he will have an "incident" and the defib. will kick in. This test is only supposed to take ten minutes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Please reply.

Read More...

Surgery In the Morning

Hello my fellow Pacers,
Well tomorrow, I get my pacemaker, @ 11 in the morning. The funny thing is I am going to work tonight for 12hrs, I'm a tech at the same hsopital i'm having surgery at.lol.. I will be NPO at work tonight.lol... I will update you guys tomorrow right before surgery and hope i fell like writing afterwards. I thank you all for helping me and getting me more comfortable with me receiving my pacemaker.. Thanks you and I'll talk soon.
Charleene

Read More...

Want to have a baby but no ones giving me any answers.

Hello everyone.

I hope you are all doing ok.

I wondered if anyone would be able to give me some advice. I'm 27 years old, live in the UK, married and desperate to start a family. I've had my pm for 4 years and have 2 years and 10 months left of battery. I have it on demand and use it 50% of the time to control a condition where I would faint and my heart would stop whenever I experience pain or anxiety.

I have asked doctors, consultants, pacing techs if I will...

Read More...

recovery

is there any one out there that are friends of Bill W? if so how do you deal with this also? i'm 52 yo have been in recovery for 7 plus years. since in recovery i have lost about 40 lbs, lift weights 4 days a week, run 4 or 5 days, just ran the Nashville 1/2 back in April of 2008 and now this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whats next?

Read More...

Left Shoulder pain and Pacemaker pain

I have had pain in my left shoulder and pain where the pacemaker is and I am wondering if I could have a pinched nerve and if the pacemaker shifted at all. I went to see my EP and he couldn't find any electrical problems with the device or leads and no infection. He didn't seem to want to see if there was a pinched nerve or not. I'm going to see my Primary Care doctor to see if she could make me an appointment with a Neurologist to see if it is a pinched nerve or not. My question is if I have th...

Read More...

Pacemaker dependency

I'm headed towards an AV Node Ablation not unless some other divine intervention pops up in my doc's head for me to try. I'm really trying everything except Amiodarone which I feel is just too toxic for my 33 yr old body. I'm anxious as all get out about the possibility of AV node ablation, and doc (who's a total sweetheart) isn't really excited about it either. He wishes that he had more options for me. I wish it wasn't my decision. What happens if I go through with the AV Node Ablation, am tot...

Read More...

2 year old with pm

Hello:
My 2 1/2 year old had his pacemaker implanted when he was 6 months old. He had complete heart block. He is doing well but seems to be completely dependent upon the pacemaker. My husband and i notice that in the heat of the summer he tends to get lethargic. He doesnt recover after running around when it's hot as quickly as i think he should. I am wonderng if it's due to the pacemaker. His pm is set so that as he runs around it bumps it up to a higher rate to allow him to have ene...

Read More...

Atrial fibrillation after pacemaker insertion

Hi there,

I had my Medtronic dual-chamber pacemaker implanted nearly two years ago now. Everything seems to be fine and it's ticking along nicely - it was fitted because of vasovagal syncope with complete heart block.

I've just come back from a pacemaker checkup, which I expected to be completely normal, only to be told that I have atrial fibrillation. The technician asked me if I was having palpitations - I wouldn't say they're palpitations - more like dizzy spells, but t...

Read More...

Rugby and PM.. bad news ??

Hi all ;) So had my pm/df for about 4 years now and doin ok i guess, Bein young i still wanna live my life and i love sport. Been told by my doctor not to play contact sport 'however' i love rugby union and cant say no. Playin fullback and havin a ball!! Everytime i make a tackle or get tackled i hold my breathe just hoping im not gonna hurt my machine. I know the machines r rock hard but honestly do you think i could stuff my machine or wreck my leads ?? Or do you think the muscle will cover it...

Read More...

Re: Want to have a baby but no ones giving me any answers.

Hi Sara,

I've just seen your posting asking about pregnancy and pacemakers. I'm 32 years old and I've had a pacemaker for just under two years. Sounds like it was fitted for the exact same condition you have! In fact, your description of your symptoms and reaction to pain is pretty much identical to mine!

I know it must feel scary not having any answers from your doctors but you just have to persevere. I fainted for 24 years before I really threw a hissy fit and got refer...

Read More...

Pacemaker Died.

Hi everyone, I am a new poster - so be gentle! :O

I had my first pacer implanted in March 2001 at the age of 35 for Neurocardiogenic Syncope (with asystole), AV node disease and Heart Block. My checkup in December 07 indicated I had about 18 months of battery life left. I had major surgery (not heart related) in April with some complications, and after 12 weeks felt that I was taking a long time to recover. At my pacer check last week we found that my pacer had completely died. N...

Read More...

for Pookie



Just to wish you a Very Happy Wedding Anniversary. Hope you have something nice planned to celebrate. Sincere wishes Billie xxx

Read More...

out of a job

I just had an icd implanted jun of 08. The most worrisom part of it is the fact that I am no longer able to return to my job as a mechanic in a school corp. The job requires a cdl and ability to do heavy work. This is the same type of work I have done for thirty seven years, After the placement of my device I have to surrender my cdl and return to a regular license. Has anyone else had to work thru the same problems.

Read More...

Hi, I am very pleased to have found this message board!

Hello everyone, I am a female, I have a long standing history of heart disease on both sides of my family. My first heart attack was when I was thirty-two which left me with extensive heart damage. I have CHF, and recent diagnosis of COPD. I had a Pasemaker/defibrillator, 2 leads implanted on February 14, 2008 "on Valentines Day" I have tremendous pain in my arm, shoulder and neck. I had a venogram and blood clots were discovered two weeks ago. Long story. It is just too late for me to go into i...

Read More...

Cell phone power

Hi, A friend sent me this web site showing the power of cell phones. For those of us who have ICS/PM or who are about to get one, like me, this proved interesting. Good thing I don't have popcorn near an ICD!

I assume that this should be a concern. Am I right?

http://www.koreus.com/video/telephone-portable-mais-popcorn.html

Bill

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!