Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Welcome!

I wanted to welcome all the knew people and ask that you would post your birthday and pm/icd birthday or private message me with it.
I have not been on much lately but hopefully soon my energy level will get back up to par. Has anybody heard from miss Valerie lately?
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Blessings and love,
Tammy

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Talk about attitude!

Thanks to all those who sent welcomes and encouragement. Talk about terrific attitudes! It's a relief to be able to talk about how things "really are" rather than joking and reassuring family, friends and co-workers so that they are not freaked out.

Just when I think I'm back on track, I'll have a day where I feel "off" or tired again. My husband tries to understand exactly what "off" means, but as you all know, it's a concept that's pretty much indescribable to those not battery oper...

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Electrolytes

I take diuretics & potassium to control my edema due to Congestive Heart Failure. When my potassium & sodium levels are out of balance, I get really bad cramps and have to go to the hospital to get balanced out. Has anyone else experienced this?

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Atrial Fibrillation research study

The Los Angeles Times several days ago carried an ad which said that Cardiologists nationwide are participating in a research study to determine the safety and effectiveness of a single investigational procedure for the management of Atrial Fibrillation, People are eligible to participate if they have been diagnosed with symptoms of irregular heartbeat and medication has been unsuccessful. The phone number for Pacific Heart Institute is given as (866) 629-4466
or www.cardiofocus.com

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Guidant

Hi Anyone

Just read Carol's posting about her rep for the PM. Does anyone know if there is a Guidant Rep and whether they have the same knowledge.

Would just like to get rid of the odd heart beat and maybe a rep from Guidant would know.

By the way really pleased for you Carol. Fantastic.

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Thanks for your prayers and wishes

Hi PM Pals

Thank you for your wonderful messages and prayers. About two hours ago I arrived home from the hospital with Brian. He looks heaps better although his legs are still an awful site. The initial diagnoses was Henoch Scholein Purpura. Brian became very confused and had a raging temp on Sunday so we took him to emergency. They did four biopsies from various places on his leg to find out what was wrong as they were not sure what the problem was. He was lapsing in and out o...

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pacemaker for 31 years

I just wanted to post here and see if anyone had question about having a pacemaker I might could help...Im a 31 year old mother of 2 and have had a pacer since i was 1day old...
I done not know life without it... but I do know how to live with it...I had 9 pacer replacements...(some due to broken wires..oops)
I started old school style with a soap dish on my side.... then when I was in hight school i was able to get the smaller on my shoulder. I can not go without it. Im 100% dependen...

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My Medtronic Rep....Priceless!

Hi all,
I began this journey on October 1st last year having had a Medtronic Dual Lead PM placed rather unexpectedly as many of you have. From the beginning I felt lousy....with symptoms that were very much like what I thought PM Syndrome would feel like (after much Googling on the subject). I couldn't walk 50 steps before feeling short of breath, palpitations, irregular heart beats, hot flushes, etc. I repeatedly contacted my Dr.'s office and Nurses in the PM Clinic. Mind you, I was al...

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Rotten taste

I am new here, so HI to everyone. My PM was installed in Aug 2005. Ever since then I've had a rotten taste in my mouth.I've talked to my Dr. and Heart Dr. about this and they say they've never heard of it. Does anybody else have this problem????? Thanks!!

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PacemakerPlacement

Hi Speedy
I wrote an article to comment on your problem but it didnt get printed for some reason. I am from Grand Rapids and I had my ablation done through West Michigan Heart with a Dr. ElMuche. I wondered if we may have had the same Dr. and would be interested in connecting with you. I have a two lead pm and am 100% dependent. I have been having the same problems you have with my arm hurting etc. I also have a sack of fluid under my arm apparently caused from the pm pressing on my cla...

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Thinking of you Billie and Brian

I have just heard that Billies husband Brian is very ill and in hospital,They were due to start their holiday this weekend and I had been looking foward to seeing them.
Our prayers and good wishes go out to you Billie and Brian as we wish Brian a speedy recovery.
Love from your pacer friend Kay

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About the Risk of Heart Failure Study

Okay, did the research...

This study was conducted in 2005 (which is why it doesn;t show up in the March 2008 journal.

To me, an important element in this study is as follows:
(Direct from the published report)

"In reviewing the records, we observed a significant increase in heart failure related events, including hospitalization or death, as early as six months after pacemaker implantation,"said Dr. Freudenberger, who also is director of the heart transplan...

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IST

Can Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia be detected during an EP Study or is it just the diagnosis given when all other forms of tachy are ruled out?

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Heart Failure

Your report on pace makers causing heart failure was very interesting but I dont see how any of us who had no choice could do anything about it,This is a discouraging report in that for all of us it is after the fact. I for one have enough trouble getting used to having this thing much less reading what it can cause when I can do nothing about it.DD

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physical therapy

has anyone had physical therapy for the arm on the PM side? i am 3.5 months postop and my left arm/shoulder is still a bit stiff and somewhat motion restricted. it seems that when i move in the daytime it loosens up but is stiff the next morning. any suggestions?
steve

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Chi Machine

I am interested in purchasing a Chi Machine for my wife. Their
disclosure says to not use with an old pacemaker. I contacted them and they described old as before 2000. My wife had her implant in 2006. No matter what they said, she is still a bit leery of buying the machine. My question is obvious. Is there anyone in this huge database that has a Chi Machine and does not have problems. I am just trying to alleviate her fears.
Thanks.

Ed

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repetitive motions

greetings all:
i have been reading the posts concerning repetitive movements and their effects on PM leads. obviously, the designers of the PMs took these types of motions into consideration when producing the PMs but i am still a bit concerned about the effects of these types of movements. the discussions centered around weight lifting but what about other movements such as trimming trees/shrubs with a non-power tool or raking debris, swimming etc. these are all repetitive movements that u...

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cabin crew

i'm 23 and i've had my pacemaker for a year now, was wondering if anyone knows if i can get a job as cabin crew, or is it too dangerous?

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trlam21

Hi all,
I am doing better I am off the Zoll and have a new medtronic ICD. It is much bigger then the pm was. I am out of bed and moving around today. I am going to be moved to step down as soon as a bed opens up. home tomorrow or the next day.

I was told the ICD would be moved to another location but they did use the same site. I have a small drain and a lot of black and blue marks but I am alive. I am having trouble with the PC but will try to keep you all posted.

Th...

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Young pacer

hi peoples of pace.I am only 11, and i have had my PM for 6 years. I got complete heart block from my mom b-cause she has lupus. If anyone else has the same stuff and is near my age, then let's chat!!!

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