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Automatic safety switch from bipolar to unipolar

An automatic safety switch from bipolar to unipolar occurred on Feb 22, 2024 due to an RV Pace Impedance measurement of >3000 Ω.

Anyone have this?  Do you know is it temporary or does it switch back automatically?  Boston Sci showed a procedure for the tech to test, so guessing maybe it stays this way until they interrogate it.

Granted this is my May 1987 lead, it will be 37 years old next month.  Sounds like I am getting leads removed and/or moving over to...

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Recycling pacemakers

Life has been so hectic! My long term guy's dad died in January then we both had RSV, then my mom died in March. THEN last week, my guy's 92 yr old mom fell down a few steps and we took her into our home while she recovers (nothing broken but banged up and a slight concussion ). THEN yesterday, my son tore his Achilles tendon playing basketball. He's going to be laid up for a long time-is awaiting surgery. We're driving him places, assisting with food etc., we also feed a wido...

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Update on Cataract procedure - it's done!

Cataract procedure has been done!  Got eye shield in place so haven’t seen results yet.  Tomorrow I start antibiotic drops (Maxitrol) 4 x daily and have to wear eye shield at night for 10 days.  It seemed to go well except the local injection of anaesthetic was extremely uncomfortable.  It was effective though and I was very relaxed and pain free throughout the procedure. 

I arrived at the hospital early at 7 am but was second to last on the theatre list.&...

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Replacement on 4/22

Hello!  Long time no post!  At any rate, I have had my Medtronic Adapta for 15 years as of yesterday and am scheduled for replacement on 4/22.  This is my first replacement.  My only question is if anyone has gotten pushback when requesting to keep their old pacemaker?  I have always wanted to keep mine (jokingly saying I want to hang it from my rear view mirror in my car) - but wondering if this is an easy request to be granted.  I figure, it's mine so I sho...

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ICD pain

I first had a pacemaker inserted, then remove and an icd inserted.  The icd was inserted 5 years ago.  Recently i have had regular and consistent pain in my left breast.  It will not go away.  Has anyone ever had such a thing and what does it mean?

I will be having my icd battery replace next Spring.

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Checking in

Good morning from LA. It's been a while since I last posted. I've been preoccupied with other medical concerns until recent cardiology visits. In December I was diagnosed with a couple of cancers. First, polycithemia vera, a rare blood cancer, and anal cancer, which is more rare then PV. The latter required urgent treatment. I went through 28 days of radiation and chemo therapy plus a couple of days of infusion. I ran everyday during treatment and I continue to run. This morning I did...

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Life Line Screening

Is it OK to have these ultrasound tests done.  I have a pacemaker.

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100% pacing

Had my 6 month Medtronic check and I am not pacing at 100%. I will have had my device two years in June and my pacing has increased every checkup. I have an echocardiogram on Tuesday but not sure what time will tell me. I feel fine and live my life but have to say this has depressed me. My wife and kids almost lost me and I can see the fear in their eyes. I didn't know I had an issue when my heart stopped. I have addressed every issue as soon as I became aware of it. I know I am better of...

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100% pa.ced and getting ready for pace maker replacement

I am a few weeks away from gettng my 9+ year old  Medtronic replaced.  I am 100% paced and my  electriophysiologist said he will have to run a lead from an external pace maker through my groin to keep my heart beating. 
Have any members had this done? How does this procedure work and where and how is the lead terminated to keep the heart beating.

                  Rodger zawodniak
 

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Medication mishaps in the USA

Have you ever wondered if what your doctor is prescribing you is the best combination and the right amounts? For instance, the last time I tried to take Entresto, it didn't work out because my doctor forgot to tell me to quit taking Losartan, so my blood pressure bottomed out and I almost went to the hospital. Then he decided I didn't "tolerate" it well... but didn't bother to investigate further. As a result, I missed an earlier opportunity to get better. 

Th...

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Hooray for the return of AgentX86!

So happy to see you posting again, AgentX. We've missed you.

I filed this post under "coping," because seeing posts from people I've come to know and trust is absolutely an important part of coping for me.

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The story continues

Well.

As you might remember RNRVAS had reared its ughly head so I returned to the clinic. Forewarned, the PA and tech had conferred with St.Jude about how to deal with the problem, so this time they didn't tweak the AV delay, they wiped the previous settings and took a differenent approach.

It worked and I have had no more PMT episodes.Yay. One good effect is being comfortable driving again. I have even been able to give rides to a friend who was temporarily restricted fr...

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Interesting question about forcing your heart out of PVC's

Okay... I've got an interesting question, something that seems logical to me, but that I've not heard anything about.

I get PVC's a LOT. Several times a day at least and sometimes they last for an hour or more, other times it's just a few minutes. But it's irritating because the longer they last, the more weak I feel as well as just icky feeling. Everyone here probably knows the feeling. Anyway, I figured that since my heart rate was too slow, and I was missing beats...

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Do I stop anticoagulation for Cataract Surgery?

I am due to have cataract surgery on Monday, left eye.  I had a pre-op assessment some weeks ago and was told to continue all my meds, including my anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation stroke protection.  

A lady from the eye clinic phoned this afternoon and asked me to stop anticoagulation for 48 hours before my procedure.  Needless to say I am now very confused.  

I cannot remember whether I stopped my anticoagulant 4 years ago when I had the right eye done....

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Pacemaker muscle pain

I had my pacemaker put in 2019. I am having muscle pain in the left side where my pacemaker is. Some times it feels like just an ache. Sometimes are worse than others. But I bring it up with my cardiologist and it's just disregarded as muscle pain. But it gets painful and concerning. I can massage it and can help with the pain, but once I stop it hurts again. I've done nothing to extend or injure it, but does anyone else have pain in the muscle. Sometimes it will go to my arm and upni...

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The Final Milestone is Here

My last restriction from the January 11 PM surgery was "no repetitive arm motion for 90 days" is finally over. After being cleared, I have been going to the fitness center 4 or 5 days a week working on Precor lower body machines. I checked in with the PM Clinic today and was given the only restriction as no rowing machine because that pull-back motion could impact my subclavicular lead. I am meeting with a personal trainer tomorrow for advice on the equipment I can add to my ro...

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How is this even possible? Unbelievable change!

You guys aren't going to believe this! I can't believe it myself, it's so far fetched. I started taking Entresto last Friday morning, my doctor prescribed the lowest dose and said to cut it in half so I could be very slowly acclimated. Well... I braced myself for the side effects and was fully prepared to "take on" this newest challenge. I decided to stay with my Mom in town in case there were complications from it and even bought my usual 'gentle foods' for the...

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Meta Quest 3 VR Headset

Hello everyone 

I got my Pacemaker in March 2023.  I am getting to the point now that I sometimes forget that I have one.  There are times I forget about interferences that I need to be concerned about. 

 

I just ordered the Meta Quest Vertual Reality Headset.  Then it hit me... am I able to use this?  I played on ine at Easter for abiut 10 min and had no issues, but I don't want to spend a bunch of money on something that could be a ri...

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Solar eclipse and pacemakers

Random question.. did anyone experience side effects or issues as a result of the solar eclipse today?

I am asking because I felt my pacemaker or heart racing for about 1 min. during the eclipse and found it super strange. 

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Lead voltage

I was in for my six month pacemaker check today. The cardiologist had said six months ago that my right lead isn't optimally placed.  Today he turned up the voltage from 4 to 4.5. He said it's an extra safety measure due to the lead. He said that I will need a lead replacement when the box is replaced. He said they may also add a new lead and leave the old one in place. He also said this voltage increase will use my battery quicker. I have 3.5 years left at the moment. 

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You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.