Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Spell Check...PRESSURE

I can't figure out how to edit....that post was suppose to say pressure.
Holly

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Strange Answer?

I was implanted with a medtronic pacemaker in February of 2007 for A/V block.When I asked my cardiologist what would happen if I didn't get the pacemaker,she said that nothing would probably happen, but the worse case scenario would be that I could suddenly die.Needless to say,I decided to get my pacemaker.I was just wondering what everyone out there thinks about her answer.

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progress

Hello again, on your advice I have decided to name my pm and claim it as my helper, his name is Puff,the Magic dragon, I always liked that song and pm,get it? lol I found a medic alert in purple,with a small dragon on it with all my info on the back. so I"m having a bit of fun with it,thinking of it as my own magic dragon ,instead of a "device" helps I think. Whats your opinion? too "childish" stupid,or just fun? ibehurtin

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7 yr old getting PM.

Hi there,
My daughter will be getting her PM on Tuesday July 29th.
She is unlike I think pretty much everyone here. Her heart is actually fine. Her problem is autonomic (sp) She was born with a condition called Central Congenital Hypoventilation Syndrome. In a nutshell, she doesn't breathe while she sleeps. She had surgery for a trachesotomy at 9 wks of age and she sleeps with a ventilator. The message to breathe while she sleeps just doesn't get through. We have recently found out tha...

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70 bpm . Defective or what??

Hi,

Ever since my pacemaker was put in, (Feb/08), my heart rate has stayed between 70 and72 bpm.

I've had it tweaked a few times, complained about not being able to walk, climb stairs or do what I want to do without SOB, extreme fatigue or just plain can't complete tasks.

Every time I take my pulse, it's 70, even after climbing stairs at a stadium!

I insisted that they "read it" today and sure enough, it reads 70 bpm ALL the time!

My Hubby t...

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Beta Blockers vs Calcium Channel Blockers

Can anyone tell me the difference between the two? I was taking BB to supress my natural heart rate, but it was causing my blood pressure to be very low. One of my doctor's switched me to a CCB yesterday because I was suffering side effects from the BB. Since I have been taking the CCB, my heart rate is not being supressed as well and I feel awful.
I just don't know what to do! Please help!

Amanda

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70 bpm Defective or Stuck?

Thanks to Smitty and Joy for your responses.

Smitty, In Toronto, you get whoever is working the pacemaker clinic, so I've seen a few docs and they keep adjusting the settings.

It sure should be going over 72 but doesn't respond to my activity levels.

Joy, I'm only on coumadin, I should have mentioned that but it's not drug related. Thankyou for the suggestion, as it's certainly possible when you're on heart meds. Thankfully, I was able to toss my meds. after my...

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Pulse oximeter prices

If anyone needs a Pulse Oximeter for home use let me tell you about the one I purchased. Last year my husband was very ill, in and out of ICU for several weeks because of end-stage emphysema. He would be coming home on continuous O2 24/7. But, the providers of home oxygen equipment do not provide a PO to monitor O2 sats. We were expected to "guess" at how my hubby was doing and adjust the O2 based on this. So, I did some searching on the internet and found a PO for less than $100.00 (actuall...

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PAIN AFTER SURGERY?????

Hello All,
Got my PM yesterday!! Thank you all for all the help I received prior. I don't think they liked that I knew half way what I was talking about thanks to you....but it sure helped me.
I did not get the right settings...the doctor said I decided not to set it where I said I would....after the surgery. I thought that was pretty rotten. When I feel well enough....He will be hearing from me.
HERE is my QUESTION......I had it put down deep so that I would still be able to b...

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PM's in work enviroments

I just had a PM installed on July 22nd 2008. St. Jude Model 5826 two leads. Installed only for low pause rate. I do not have the defib unit. I workin a manufacturing facility as a maintenance supervisor with lots of CNC equipment. Our Nurse is looking for information on what to be aware of before i come back to work in a couple of weeks. If there is anyone out there that knows what the guidelines are and what we need to be aware of please let me know.

Thanks

Rick War...

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Pacemaker-induced hypertension

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I appreciate the help and will look into each of the things you suggested.

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Welcome Newbies

I just want to say Welcome to all the new members.

You all have certainly discovered a wonderful & supportive site.

Keep checking back daily as you never know; we might be able to help one another or at least support each other.

I also want to thank all the people I have met on this site during the past several months. You all mean the world to me.

thanks!

Pookie

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pacemaker-induced hypertension?

I have had a normal BP reading all my life. I had a pacemaker implanted 3 years ago to increase my heart rate....no other problems with my heart. It has been working without a problem. I moved recently and needed to change cardiologists and pacemaker checkup technicians. My blood pressure was the usual 130 over 75 until the week the new technician checked my pacemaker. It went up to 160 over 90 the following week and is now (a week later) 190 over 90!!!! Can the pacemaker make such a drama...

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New Member / Police Officer & Pacer

I posted this question as response on another message, but decided to post it here as well. I am a new member and I am in need of some help. I am a police officer who had my pacer implanted in January 2008. I am desperately trying to return to full duty status and rapidly approaching a forced disability.

It has been suggested that I find any other officers working the beat with pacers. If anyone knows of an officer on patrol with a pacer, please contact me.

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Having my high-risk dr. appointment today!

Hi all,
I am going in this afternoon to meet with a high-risk ob/gyn specialist for a 'pre-conception consultation' to assess my risks for pregnancy with my condition and pacemaker, etc. My hubby and I want another child (ours are 10 and 9) but we had been waiting a long time to get my fainting spells with my NCS/VVS under control, etc. The pacemaker one year ago has been a lifesaver!!!! It is great to have a pulse and oxygen to my brain!!! Now that I am 'under control' with the pacemake...

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Tracey...I sent you an E-mail

Thank you...I sent you an e-mail regarding placement.

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TRACEY....PM surgery site?

My EP plans to put it in under my breast...he did mention going in from the side or the top.....I thought the side might hurt more and get in the way of an underwire......he said it was up to me.

ANY thoughts as to which might be better? The EP doesn't seem to care which I chose.

Is your in your abdomen? Hmmm....not sure which would be best.

Thank you, Holly

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Recovery Time...How do I make sure My PM is set right before I leave?

I am so thankful for this site! I am getting so nervous !!! I go on Friday morning for my pacemaker!

My EP has not got called me back...I have questions about the settings and recovery time etc.

Soo, I am hoping to get some answers from you. I trust what you tell me more than the doctors anyways. If there is one thing that seems to ring true while I read the post in this site....it's that "they do Paint a Rosey Picture".

1, Will I be able to walk go for a walk t...

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Beta Blockers & Blood Pressure

I have been taking beta blockers for the last 2 weeks to blunt my natural heart rate so that the pacemaker has to do all of the work. As far as my heart is concerned I am feeling great, but I have really low blood pressure while taking the beta blockers. With my doctors advice, I have tried lowering the dose, and lowering the frequency of the dose. So far, that hasn't worked, when I try to take a smaller dose, I start to get palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath...all of those horrible t...

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Hi Folks


It is hard to believe we have been here in Victoria nearly two weeks. I had my cardio checkup at Geelong Hospital yesterday with the specialist there. My PM check is on 1st September. I happened to mention if they checked Ela PM's and he said "NO" good job I mentioned it as they have made arrangements for the tech to come down to the PM Dept that day.

The sp was really good said my heart was in good cond and gave me some BP tabs with a diuretic in. I had been complaining t...

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