Most Recent Messages

Swelling at insertion site

Hello,

 

I had my pacemaker put in 10 days ago and yesterday I noticed swelling around the device/pocket. It's not red, hot, or painful. The incision looks really good and seems to be healing well. The swelling is more like a bump, best way I can describe it, if I flatten my shirt over it you can see a bump or lump. Is this normal? Do I need to go to the hospital? Thanks 

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Gemita

Hello 👋🏻 Gemita

just read  FAQ you took time to write ✍🏼 ....wow,  I not only love it ❤️   But also like that all basic concerning information we all have is in one place !!

 Thank you 🙏🏻 

I will reread it ALL again ❤️ ....few times 🥰 

all the best

Michelle

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CrossFit open - heart rate stayed low and couldn’t catch my breath

I participated in the CrossFit open last night (90 snatches, 90 burpees over the DB with 15 minute cap).   I struggled aerobically and it took me quite some time to get my breath back. My lungs were burning. I checked my heart rate on my watch after the event and it peeked at 129.  I easily do 30 minutes + on the rower, bike, treadmill, elliptical when not at CrossFit and my heart rate ranges between 150-170 and I never feel so damn winded.   I've noticed before t...

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Can a Pacemaker Malfunction?

Hi everyone, I have done some work(!)

I have prepared a long document on Can a Pacemaker Malfunction, which I have placed in our FAQs if you go to Learn, then FAQs, then press the down or up arrow at Club Information, then scroll down to The Pacemaker/Defibrillator, then press Choose Category, where you will find the document in three parts.  I have provided a List of Contents for Pa...

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Cold weather

I have biotronik Enitra 6 DR-T implanted two months ago. How would cold weather affect it? 

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Transvenous (Laser) RV Lead Extraction

Have a faulty RV lead, that needs fixing, ugh.  Hoping to hear from others who have had this done. 

I am a 72 YO female, basically in good health, with 1st PM implanted in 2011 (dual-chamber St. Jude's), and now #2 PM (from 2018 - Boston Medical - Accolade DR L301, with original St. J leads).

Options are challenging due to:

1) existing subclavian vein stenosis at original site (due to scar tissue; procedure to open it up failed and now collateral veins have dev...

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pace trigger

Had pacemaker put in in April of 2023 so I am a newbie so to speak.

I have an unusual expierience that I have mentioned to my Cardiologist as well as my PM technician with no real clear answer. I am scheduled to have a yearly pacemaker check on the device so maybe this situation will be resolved   At exactly the same time every night my pacemaker causes my heart rate to increase not drasticly, but it goes from 62 beats to about 78 for about a minute or less duration, It s...

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Pacemaker and Aortic Valve Stenosis

Hello, I had a pacemaker put in 6 months ago.  Also I was diagnosed with Aortic Valve Stenosis etiology mixed hyperlipidemia. I have no idea what this means. I'm in my 70's.

My question is, what percaustions can I take so this disease dosen't get worse.  Is diet something to be concerned about?  Exercise?  Stress?  Also, does a pacemaker help this condition? It was put in due to  Bradycardia disease. 

My doctor said diet won...

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Pacemaker lowered in pocket

Hi

I got my 6th (I think 🤣) pacemaker in October. 
come February (about 4 months after device change) the same leads were used. I noticed that my pacemaker has gotten lower (maybe an inch or a bit more) I can also see the outline of one of the leads from under my skin near the scar (which wasn't visible prior)

this has never happened with any of my other devices.

this last device change the doctor said one of the leads had damage to the insulatio...

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Swelling over site

I got my pacemaker in June 2022 at 16, and ever since I have swelling over the pacemaker site at the end of most days that leads to slight numbness in my arm and discomfort. Does anyone else have a common experience and is this normal? I'm studying as a chef and I'm worried it's going to influence my work in the future. Any help is appreciated! 

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Power Tools with pacemaker

I just got my pacemaker the end of December and was told that I had to be careful about using power tools.  I want to use an electric hedge trimmer and also power wash my patio.

Does anyone know if it's okay to use these power tools?

Thank you!

SharJoy

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Latest checkup

Just had my 15 minutes with the pacing consultant.

Echo of October 2023 all normal with 69% EF.

Going to try halving Bisoprolol to 5mg daily to get some exercise capacity back.

Just as well I asked about battery life as one year left, which will be nine years and one month.

I hope this isn't shaping up for another battery failure as happened last time.

Old device with only manual downloads and no active home monitoring. Not optimistic.

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Untreated Atrial Fibrillation

In July 2023 I got my second pacemaker..Medtronic Azure two-lead and I use the iPhone app for monitoring with the doctor setting the default upload to every three months. My first pacemaker was St Jude and with help from people on this board I finally got my electrophysiologist to agree to change to Medtronic for the advanced monitoring esp when we travel. That said, on Feb 14 the doctor called to say my three month upload told him I had been in atrial fib for six weeks. I had had atrial fib...

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Ecg

Hi I went to my  GP today to get to renew my script and he decided just to do a full check up on me. And he did a ECG and he was getting alot of interference on the report.

What a Googled afterwards i think he made a mistake of putting the leads in the wrong place.

But my question is I'm feeling a little tender around the pacemaker hurts a little. Will the ecg  change any settings on the pacemaker or cause I little discomfort.

Thanks 

...

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Advice and Wisdom for Newbie - CRT-P 101

Now for CRT-P 101 boot camp basics .....  

What advice would you share to help help the hospital / returning home process go smoothly?

1) What should I make sure I have available immediately after placement?  Seatbelt pad? Bra strap pad?  Front button down shirts?  Front closure bras?  I live about 40 miles from the "big city" where the docs and hospital and retails stores are located, so it will not easily convenient to run back and forth f...

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PM

I went on a birding trip to Thailand Jan 5th this year. During the third week of our trip I had trouble walking up hills, steps, giddiness and breathlessness. Then on one particular day I couldn't even walk up 4 steps. Our friends, who were Thai, took us to a hospital where I was diagnosed with Bradycardia, pneumonia and a stomach infection. My heart rate was under 38 and down to 20 at one stage. BP extremely low and also dropped lower at one s...

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New Pacemaker

Just had a St Jude/Abbott Labs PM-2272 installed 3 weeks ago.

Since installation, I have been getting intermittent shock feelings in the area when the PM was installed.

They feel like a TENS pad type of shock.

Have Dr appt Feb 27

Any comments?

Thanks

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why do i continue to check this site

  Want to see if someone asks a question that i might know the answer.  I am not technical and do not take any prescribed medications, only practical knowledge.

new to pace

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PM progress since 2-8-24

On December 15, 2023 I discovered my pulse was a pretty constant 41.  No wonder I'd been having 'brain' problems, and was week and unwell.  I had bradycadia.  So, I saw my doctor and things moved at a rapid rate.  I had my PM implanted on 2-8-24.  Just 16 days ago.    My energy level is up.  I can walk further than I've been able to walk since Oct '23.    I am still learning some things every day of course, and trying to ta...

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The Famed SIX WEEKS Has Arrived!

Today is officially six weeks from my pacemaker implant of January 11.  This week I have been easing into raising my left arm up more little by little and today I can do a full arm raise. 

Like many here, I was totally unprepared for what I would go through, surprised that I even needed a pacemaker ASAP (a what?!), led to trust it would be routine, and told I could take Tylenol for any discomfort. Two mornings later I was in the ER from not managing the pai...

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You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.