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Airport Security

When you go through airport security does everyone show their card? or just when they walk through and set off the alarm? I walk through and have not set off an alarm yet, just curious to see what everyone else does. I don't know anyone that has a PM so I don't know what the Standard Operating Procedure is. Thanks. Angie

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First Posting

I am 32 and had my pacemaker implant in 06, the 1st Doctor severed my AV node, didn't know what my life would be like with a pacemaker. Glad I have it now, and did not have anyone to talk to that would share the same situation. Glad I found this site. Thanks Angie

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my first posting

Hi,I am 57 and I have my pm for under 6 months and now I am having a hard time dealing with it. I was fine in the beginning(once they got my pacing correct)but now I am very emotional. My pulse went down to 22 and I still felt fine(had no signs that I was in distress). I know I am very lucky....Are there therapist that just deal with "post surgery depression?"I also feel like my incision pulls all the time. Any suggestions?

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Time to Battery Change

I'm a new PM user, received on 11/1. I've had a few problems with response to exertion but now seem to have settled into a reasonably smooth symbiotic relationship with it (Guidant Insignia Ultra)

My question is how long until the battery fails. I've been told between 5 and 7 years. I've seen longer times quoted on the site. What's your actual experience? Anyone less than 5 years? It might be helpful if you indicate the type pacemaker and indication for it's placement.

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Cold Feet

I have always suffered from cold feet at nights. When I got my pacemaker my problem seemed to get worse. The problem of being cold gradually crept up my legs to my knees. I have also noticed that my left leg is actually 2cm bigger around than my right. I wonder if this is anything to do with my pacmaker if the lower setting is now too low to cope. lowest rate is 50bpm. Just a thought. Or is it the GO disease (getting old.) Cheers Billie

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Electricfrank

Just to say thanks ElectricFrank I went back to the doctor again today and asked why I was taking the Beta Blocker. He said that I had extra styoles but no heart problem as such. Have asked if I need to take them. He agreed that I should go without and see how I go.

Cheers

Julie

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Problems with this whole new thing

Does anyone else out there experience pain related to their device? I cannot sleep on my left side without pain and almost every day have site pain and burning feeling even though had this implanted in May of 07. My doctor says I am fine and that perhaps it is irritating a nerve but this does not help make me feel better. I am nervous that there is really something wrong.

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Faster the second time around

Everyone's mileage will vary, but I just had my PM and leads replaced last Friday (the old leads were extracted as well) and I am definitely recovering much faster than I did after my first implantation. Of course the wound is still sore and I have the limitations of arm movement, lifting, etc... to keep in mind, but I'm guessing that having gone through the process before has helped. I recall being slightly depressed after my first surgery. In retrospect, that may have had more to do with...

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Does anyone know...

A distant and elderly family friend has suffered from a heart attack. He has had triple bypass surgery and a pacermaker fitted some time ago. He was unconcious when he recieved treatment and then placed on life support. The life support has now been removed ( he is still in an unconcious state - not expected to recover), the family are expecting him to pass away.
My questions are.... Is the pacemaker still keeping him alive? Do the doctors turn it off or slow it down so that nature ta...

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Tomorrow is the day

Hi Friends,

Tomorrow I am having my ICD changed after 5 years and had been told that the new one will give me between 8 to 10 years, (obviously depend)

Actauly now I am looking forward to go through it and go on with my life as I did after each change, This is going to be my second ICD after three pacers.

Keep pacing.

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TODAY IS THE DAY!

Going in today to have a dual pacemaker fitted! It will probably be fitted tomorrow as I am not going in to hospital until 4 pm today. I have been on this website for a couple of months now, and have found the site to be very helpful. I still feel anxious and will be glad when it is all over. Thought I would have a lot of questions to ask the doctors before the procedure, but can't think of anything at the moment. (any help would be appreciated)

Will post again when I have recover...

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Effects of Lowering Pacemaker Setting

I posted a few weeks ago about how bad I was feeling with the pacemaker. I went to my cardiologist last Thursday and he sent me to the hospital to have some setting adjustments made. The pacemaker was turned down from 60 to 50 and the rate response mode was turned off. They did detect at the hospital that I am having extra heart beats, which I just have to live with. Friday was the first time since I got the Pacemaker on December 14th that I didn't feel my heart beating at different rates const...

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ID Bracelets

Do any of you have ID bracelets for your kids? If so, at what age did you get it for them? My son is almost 17 months. And I was thinking, maybe I should get one so that he gets used to wearing it for when he gets older. And then my next question would be, what information did you put on it. My son is on meds, but they can change or get discontinued, so I was thinking of putting the Walgreens phone number that we always use for all of his meds? And then, his pacer is set for VVI 80, but th...

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What to expect

Hello All,
I am a 43 year old female and was dx w/ Cardiomyopathy
3 years ago. My latest EF was 33-36% and had been feeling great until about 2 weeks ago (SOB and tired). Cardiologist said it was time for the ICD and I am scheduled to have surgery on 2/15.

I am very nervous about what things I can and can not be around and if I get too close to something what is going to happen. I have heard that when it "goes off" it can feel like someone kicked you in the chest. Any...

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Tachycardia

I found out during my last PM interrogation that I was having episodes of tachycardia. These episodes were not present before the PM and are causing very uncomfortable sensations and symptoms. Is this normal? I am unable to take meds for the tachy because of my low blood pressure. Am I in store for an ablation or other invasive procedure?
I am scheduled to see my doc again on Friday to see if the episodes are posing any sort of threat. Any questions that you can suggest I ask her would be...

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End of battery

How can you tell when the battery changes modes? Dr. said something about staying at 65 beats/minute?

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observation

I kind of feel that no matter how great your pm is working .The fly in the ointment to your pm is being anxious for any reason at any time .That would make your heart feel wacked out .AM i right or wrong?

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Check up Monday

I have not written for a while, but I check out the site a few times a week. It feels good to know that others are here.
I have a check-up with the doctor himself this coming Mon. I only see the actual doctor 2x a year. The other times it's nurses and technicians.

I have some questions and I wanted to run them by you - I always get this reaction like " you are so strange/ annoying/ hypochondriac to ask this stuff."

1. I (still) get this "fast/flutter" kind of heart be...

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Dumb Question

HI Everyone,

I have a pretty stupid question here. I already have a med alert bracelet...just a cheap one from wal mart..I didn't get it engraved. I was wondering...what I should have engraved on it? I have a PM ..not taking any meds but...just not to sure how much info I should put on it.

Any help with this is very much appreciated

Gloria

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PACEMAKER CLUB

I'm 47 and recently found myself in the pm club, I too had pain under my arm shortly after having my pm put in, but it was due to a blood clot.........so make sure if you are having difficulty under your arm, don't just think it's from a shift in the pm, but it could be due to something else. Check too see if your arm looks swollen, or red..........don't put it off...........I'm glad I checked mine out.........good luck

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You always run anti-virus software.

Member Quotes

I love this new part of me, and very, very thankful that this technology exists and I know that it's all only going to get better over time.