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Incision Area at 4+ months

It's been over 4 months since PM implant and the incision area still itches now and then. I also sometimes get the feeling of 'pins and needles' (which my cardio acknowledged and said would go away) too. I resist scratching since I know it's not a good idea. The area looks normal. I thought it might be my hair trying to grow back (went through many itchy spells everytime they shaved my chest for Holter monitoring) but it doesn't look like that's the cause. It's more evident after I've done some...

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Anxiety

I'm 52 years old and had my PM implanted one month ago. I"m constantly checking my heart rate and worried that something will go wrong. I have an upset part of most days. I have had one or dizzy spells. Has anyone else experienced this?

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the wand

I showed my card and the lady was rude she started shaking the wand...I kept backing up and said stop.......she said I can wand you below the waist don't worry.....I let her know I wasn't taking any chances.....I had never had my defibular go off...and I sure wasn't taking a chance it would....maybe I over reacted...but it was only out of fear if I did. Was she right as long as she did below the waist I was safe?

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telephone box

It lights up every Monday.....I wonder how fail safe they are....and if something is starting to go wrong will it pick it up?Just wondering if anyone would know? Thank you

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scared that my defibular will go off

I live alone but I do have my emergency necklace....when it goes off are you able to push the button? Some people say theirs have never gone off..
I try to stay very busy all the time...and just live...try not to get into my head about it...but at times it's hard to do. People tell me they admire me because I always smile and laugh...what they don't know inside I feel like crying....but I don't. When I am with my families on outings they watch me like a hawk.....I just don't want to be a bu...

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i'm a new pacemaker member!

Hello to all on this fabulous site!
I recieved my pacemaker on the 16th april 08, i'm 30 years of age and after fainting on the 12th april got admitted to hospital, scared out of my wits. Couldn't believe that I was going to be fitted with one, it was a total shock.
My boyfriend found this site for me and I log on to it on a daily basis now and decided to join.
Think I am still in shock from the whole experience of it all.
I feel better than I did a few weeks ago, but still n...

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Need a translation

I am two weeks past pacemaker implant and feeling pretty good. I went back for my first check up and they said everything was fine. I have copies of the "quick look report" and the "session summary" but no one took the time to explain what all the information means. I have a Medtronic EnRhythm pacemaker. Can anyone tell me what patient activity measures? I guess next time I'll have to slow everyone down and ask questions.

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Induction Cookers and Hobs

Anyone know if it is safe to use an induction hob. I have been offered a job in a cafe and they have an induction hob.

If anyone knows would be grateful.

Many thanks Jules

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Welcome New Members and A Question here

Welcome to the new members here. How nice it is to come on and see 3 new ones all at the same time. Please enjoy the site ask all the questions you can think of because there are a lot of very informed people on here.

Now my question...

I know this has been asked before but I have forgotten the answers. I just got a new cell phone. It is Bluetooth capable. Is it ok to use it on my left side?

Gloria

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new member

hi there, i'm a new member and have just got out of the hospital. i've already had a defib. because of congestive heart failure (which fired once, no fun) but my heart rate was becoming too slow, in the 40's. so now i 'm fixed with a new model defib/pacemaker. what i was wondering if it's common the symptoms which i am experiencing
often, it feels like my heart is pounding right out of my chest.
the ticking/pumping is so strong a times it actualy wakes me up at night, especially if...

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New member

Hello to everyone,
My name is Sue R. and I have had my pacemaker for about 5 years or so now. I had a very slow heartbeat and when I was sleeping my heartbeat would slow down even more, (as you all know anyways) but so slow I would stop breathing.(I also have sleep apnea so have machine for that at night) I was always tired and didn't want to do anything. Everything just made me tired. I am happy with my pacemaker because it won't let it go below 60 and I have more energy to keep up with m...

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ICD PULLED OUT OF SOCKET

Hello, Everyone!

I am new to this site and actually found when I googled my problem. I have a pm/difib and have had since Sept 2005. I collapsed on my honeymoon and was told that I had Long Q-T syndrome. (We were at a restaurant preparing to go over the bridge for the Keys when I died, caused by my fear of the bridge)!

I have 2 problems (well, more then that, but I am not here to discuss those ;) ). I work as a CNA (Certified Nurse's Aide) and a few months ago, as I w...

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Infected Lead Removal - Recommend or No

My friend in Latin America went for a second opinion. The new doctor has hospitalized him for the infection, currently administering IV anti-biotics and is discussing his next step, PM replacement.

He has let me know the doctor has told him that the leads should not be removed, even though 6 other doctors have given their opinion that the leads should be removed, due to the infection.

The new doctor indicated that the leads are not removed in most countries around the...

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Wierd follow-up...

Hey, k so I went for my follow-up on Wednesday, and everything was fine. About a month or so ago, I emailed my PC and asked him if he couls tell me about his job. He did, but I already knew about most of it (academic wise) and it kinda sounded like he was trying to talk me out of it... Oh, Pawgles, if you are out there, I just want to congratulate you on the nusre story, and Wingart is right, "if only we could think of these things at the time". Have a fantastic week guys!

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New appointment

Hello,

Always problems to make an appointment for my pm. I received my second pm. at nov, because 1 of the leads was broken.My recovery was very good,but still not enough breath.
Problems by biking,swimming,and the stairs.I would make an appointment by my pm.controller.Had again problems with the assistent of the cardiologist.Told her that I could visit for the pm
when I had problems after one or two days.I was angry but my doctor had to made an appointment.After two weeks I...

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old pacemaker

Thank you for answering. Yes, I do go for my annual check ups but that is in the fall. I will see the new doctor at that time. I am not having any trouble at this time, just concerned about the new doctor and getting the pacemaker replaced. 20 years sounds good to me but mine is paced most of the time. I have sarcoidosis in my heart as well as other places so you never know what the future holds, but for now I am okay. Short of breathe but that is due to overweight. My heart rate is only 3...

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New Cozmo 1800 for sale

Have a new in-the-box, unused Cozmo 1800 for sale. Respond off-list for details. 703-476-2355

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Is my PM rate correct?

Hey,
I have a VDD PM. Some times I feel that it stops me to continue running, not sure if the settings are ok for someone who is running a lot.
Here they are:
Mode: VDD, Mode switch off, Rates: Lower:50, upper 150
AV intervals: sensed AV 120ms, rate adaptive AV: on
Start rate: 70ppm, stop rate: 150PPM min SAV 30ms
Refractory/Blanking
PVARP:auto, min: 250, pvab:150 VertRef:230 PMT Interv:off PVC resp:off

Artial High Rate Epsisodes:
detection ra...

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Replacement

I have now had my pacemaker for eight years and the sad thing is that my doctor, Dr. Baja, was killed in an airplane accident this past summer.

What is the longest time anyone has had a pacemaker? I am worried about having mine replaced and also how bad is the procedure. I hope those telephone test are accurate and are able to detect in time if it needs to be replaced.

Sue

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Decision-making to have a PM or to not have a PM

Hello everyone, I stumbled upon this website through a Google search engine on pacemakers. My cardiologist, neurologist and now electro-physiologist have all recommended and enforced that I am a very strong candidate to receive a pacemaker since September 2005, (more so now than before). I'm currently taking midodrine hCl and zoloft to control my episodes of fainting (very severe). I am going into my third full year of taking medication, and even though my symptoms have improved, they are not go...

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You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

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.