Most Recent Messages

Discouragement!

This is not heart related at all. So I am going to say sorry ahead of time. I don't get on often as I use to but I read every post daily from my cell phone, I just can't seem to respond. I keep up with y'all though as much as I can. I see and feel in the words that are said at points that people need encouraged and strengthened. Life changes for each of you daily. I personally want to welcome all the new pacers to this site. I hope that on your journey that you can find peace and support from t...

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PM Protection?

I'm thirteen and recently had a PM
implanted in December. Right now I'm
looking for some kind of protective gear
for the PM so I can continue playing sports.
Anyone have suggestions on gear?

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bruising and pain

hi to all
ive had my pacemaker since 2002, over the last few days it has swollen and very badley bruised.
my clinic are being ver oh well about it but i can hardly use my left arm and the pain is making it hard to sleep.
im tired all the time and very very worried.
i havnt knocked or banged it it just appeared from nowhere.
like i say the bruising is the whole pacemaker area and approx 1/2" around.
im at the stage where if i had a knife in my hand i would cut it out...

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Pain Relief - Finally

I have finally gotten some help for the pain I have suffered with since early December! Ten days ago my IM suggested we try neurontin, for nerve pain. After six days, it was as if I could finally see the breaking of day, after a long dark night. The burning pain I was having is practically gone, along with the angry depressed mood I'd had. Thanks to all who put up with the negativity in my postings and comments, and to all who have corresponded with me, especially CathrynB. I still have some h...

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Who's Who

Who is the young lady in the picture next to Electric Frank in the pic that he is showing off his chest and has the dial on it. The picture on the left is the one I am talking about. Are you from Ohio? If so are you from Springboro? Private message cottontop and let me know. Thanks so much!

Amy

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Bracelets?

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knows where I can get one of those jelly sport bracelets. In my opinion, they are more practical than those flashy metal ones. They look cooler too!

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Old PM

Hellooooooooo! Wondering: why do some people get their old PMs back? How do you get it?

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Pain

Well it has been 9 weeks since my surgery and my swelling has finally gone down. I am very happy with how things turned out with my surgery but there are a few things that are a little wrong. My scar is a little lumpy and itches like crazy at times. And there are times where I have shooting pains in my arm pit area. You cant see pacemaker except for when I lift my arm you can kinda notice a little difference in the area. Has anyone experienced anything like this?


Thank...

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Getting used to PM

I got my pacemaker in September 06 and it was difficult to get used to for while but it has helped my a good deal and I am very greatful to have it most of the time. A while after getting mine I got a blod clot on my pacemaker and peices were breaking off and being circulated through my PFO and I have been told numerous times how lucky I am for not having a stroke of PE. They closed my PFO to stop this from happening and a while ago they let me go off the blood thinners and three weeks later my...

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Ouch

I got my Pm in almost 2 years ago and it has now been one year with out having to have the leads fixed(I had to have them fixed 3 times). Just in the last two months I have been having a hard time sleeping...when I lay on my left arm it kinda hurts and when I sleep on my right my right arm goes numb and I have kind of chest pain. My Doctor wants to do a cath test but ..I am only 30 and I am not having it because I am too scared!!
Has anyone had this problem with a pm after a year of no pain...

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Pacemakers and ICD's Q and A.

Pacemakers and ICD's.

The following are questions from medical students, and answers from an ICU doctor.
It explains the in's and out's of the function of a pacemaker or ICD, in all kinds of situations, as well as gives detailed information from various questions one may have, as a PM or ICD recipient.
I know it's very long, but well worth taking the time to read it.
It may be something one might want to bookmark.

Happy pacing!

~ Dominique ~
<...

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Females

Hello I have a question about wearing a bra. I am 3wks post-op and am now wearing a strapless bra. I have heard that some people can never wear a regular bra again because it rubs against the scar. Does anyone have any experience in this?

Thanks,

Holly

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pacemaker with thyroxine levels wrong?

I had radio active Iodine treatment about 4 years ago which burnt out my Thyroid gland leaving me dependant every day on thyroxine 125mg this was about the maximum level i could take everyday without sending my heart racing. I then received a pacemaker in October of 07 for sick sinus bycardia and atrial fib- I started taking beta blockers 25mg (atenol) everyday to keep afib at bay I have been feeling ok until recently when i have been feeling spaced out and hyper -I had my thyroid levels checke...

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Difference between DDI and VVI modes?

Hi everyone. I haven't posted in a long time. I am now 1.5 years post unplanned PM for failed SVT ablation. Two months after getting my pacemaker, my EP changed my setting from DDD to DDI. I was uncomfortable and changed back after 5 days. At my November check-up, he told me that my battery was going quickly because my ventricle was being paced at 99%. After wearing a halter moniter for a week now, my EP changed my setting yesterday again to determine what my heart can do on its own. (We think I...

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New EP doctor

I asked my cardiologist to refer me to an EP doctor because I did not think my cardiologist knew what to do with me. He understood and I love my new EP. I had appt there last week. They interogated my PM and when he came in he was astounded at how many ventricular tachys I have had over the last 6 months. I told him I have been blacking out, having dizziness and lightheadedness, chest pain, etc.
He was so informative, looked me right in the eye the entire time he talked to me, not like some...

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30 day event monitor

Good morning! I am currently wearing a 30 day event monitor, as the drs are trying to catch some of my v-tach episodes, rather than just on PM interogation. I have worn one of these before and it was normal, about a year ago I guess. Not once did they ask me after I called in a recording to do a test. This time around every time I call, they want me to do a test while on the phone. I tell them I have a PM, and they still continue to be confused or something.
Anyone else have to wear one of...

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Guidant

How do you know if the Guidant Pacemaker you have just had installed is one that is being recalled. Apart from looking at the serial numbers that attach to the leads.

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End of the line?

I am addicted to exercise and adventure. I just can't get enough of either, and prior to my PM and a subsequent thrombosis issue, the only thing that kept me from the life of a thru-hiker or RAM (race across America) participant was money and family.

A few days ago I got a call from my cardiologist that I must see him ASAP. He got my latest phone interrrogation and was not pleased with the findings. For the first six weeks after I was stented for a LAD blockage, I obligingly partic...

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What a diagnosis

I just got a piece of junk mail offering me a chance in a drawing for a fee cremation! Does someone know something I don't know?

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Heckboy

Hi

Saw that you were on and you are to me the 'fountain of knowledge' I feel quite at ease after reading a message.

I am still not coping. What is wrong with me. The medication now propanolol only quarter of a tablet once a day is still making me feel totally sh.....

I keep thinking that there is something wrong with my heart through the op to put the pacemaker in. Why can I not be more positive.

Have an appointment in two weeks time for a check but...

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Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.