Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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guest speaker

The Hospital for Sick Children cardiology department is having their annual gathering in September 2007. We would love to host a guest speaker who is also a famous (or not-so-famous) pacemaker recipient. We are looking for a sports person or a singer or someone who tends to be inspiring. We usually host a guest speaker, last year it was a magician, illusionist.
We have about 100 children and their families who attend. It is run by the fabulous medical team at HSC.
Is there any way...

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cat scans and pacemakers

Hi,
I just wanted to know if anyone ever had problems when they had a cat scan? I just had a cat scan today, I have had many in the past, so I'm very used to them, but today something strange happened, I was fine when they were scanning me, but when the machine started moving around me, I felt my heart starting to beat hard, it reminded me of when I have my pacemaker turned off to see how my heart is beating, It was getting harder and faster, so I told them to stop, they thought I might be...

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HRT and pacemakers

Are there any ladies out who have a pacemaker and who also take HRT?

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More Questions!

I went back in yesterday for another visit. I put off going to the ER the night before because I knew that they couldn't do anything for me. I have had my pm for 7 weeks now and this entire time has been up and down for me. My heart has started to do most of the work and has gone back into tachycardia once again. I didn't think that this would be possible as they have burned so much of my AV and SA Node. As they changed more settings on the pm they told me that overtime I would just start to ada...

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I'm Back

Hello Everyone!

I've been away for a while as I have been busy taking care of my Mom who after four months after my Father's death and my PM implant began suffering with a bit of depression and anxiety.

My Mom has always been a very strong woman when it comes to moments of crisis, she has always been someone's "Rock of Gibraltar."

After the crisis of my Father's death and my surgery passed, the reality of my Father being gone and all the concerns of being a new...

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Newer Wires in ICDs May Have More Failures

Implanted Defibrillators: Wire Trouble
Study Shows Newer Wires in ICDs May Have Higher Failure Rates Than Older Models
By Salynn Boyles, WebMD Medical News

They were supposed to be more reliable, but the wires now used in devices implanted to protect the heart actually appear to be less reliable than earlier versions.

In a newly reported German study, the annual defect rate was as high as 20% after 10 years of use for wire leads used in implantable car...

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Support Groups in Rhode Island

Does anyone know of any support groups in RI or maybe even Southern Massachuesetts? I am a 44 year old female ane would love to find other people to talk with!

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unsuccessful lead revision

Hi,
Am 16 mos. post PM implant for 2nd degree HB and vaso vagal syncope. Went in to have my ventricular lead replaced due to a gradual decline in its sensing ability but my Ep found scar tissue and new capillaries had grown around the lead where it enters the vein totally blocking it. After 1 1/2 hrs. attempting to insert the new lead he gave up and closed.

Now before removing the old pm and inserting a new one on the opposite side he'd like to do a tilt table test saying this...

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Three strikes and you're out!

Has anyone had this experience? In the past 10 months I have been into surgery, first to implant the PM and then to repair the leads twice. In each case I have become very ill two days after returning from the hospital. I mean sick in bed! No appetite, weak, sick to my stomach for two or three weeks! The Drs can't figure it out. They say you must of caught the flu in the hospital. Three out of three times? Could a PM make you sick like that in recovery? Help

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Fluoroscopy

I have moderate to advanced arthritis in one of my hips and tomorrow I will have a fluoroscopy with cortisone shot. I was wondering if any of you have had this done and if it gave you nay problems with your pm. Also, did you have to take antibiotics before the procedures. I have to take that for any dental work.
Thanks in advance.

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Small shocks

Last night I was awakened by what felt like small shocks or pin pricks in the area of my heart. I am 100% paced because of a complete heart block, have had my pacemaker for 3 years and never had this happen. It worried me, lasted about 15 minutes, with some shortness of breath, but I didn't get out of bed (was too worried to get up)
Has this happened to anyone else? Should I mention it to my EP or cardiologist? I am fine today.

Megthered

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cortizone and PM

I have had 3 spinal injections with cortizone where they used an xray to guide the needle in. No problem with PM. I did have to stop warfarin for 5 days prior to the procedure.

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Honeymoon with recent PM implant

I'm 22 years old and I just got a pacemaker implanted a week ago. I'm getting married in 3 weeks and we're planning on flying to Colorado for our honeymoon. What do you think about flying so soon after having a pacemaker put in? I've never flown, so I'm a little nervous about that, plus flying across the country with a new pacemaker (I live in VA).

Also, my family is traveling to Disney World in June. I'm hesitant about riding the rides with shoulder harnesses because of the contact i...

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That weird "whew" feeling with NCS

I was going to post to an earlier topic but have had computer problems, so I thought I would start my own topic. I also get strange feelings due to NCS like ela-girl described. When it happens to me it occurs about 5-6 times in one day and then not again for a month or so. Something just happens to your brain for a short moment and all these weird thoughts rush in at once. A while ago I was having one of these days. I was at work in the tea room and while I was walking with a full cup of hot tea...

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Questions for first checkup

I am going for my six week exam. Is there any questions I should be sure to ask? I know I have my list but I don't want to forget anything. I still occationally have pressure in my chest which is only relieved by taking advil for at least 24 hours. I though this would be gone by now. Does anyone else have this?

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Here I go!

Hello there! I'm 32 years old and I'm so glad to know I'm not the youngest person with a pacemaker (or will rather..lol) I'll be having my pacemaker put in on the 9th. Switching out a monitor that is alrady been hanging out for a few weeks. I guess what I wanted to ask is: How long should I take off from work. I am a retail store manager. I was fine after about 3 days when they put my monitor in. Will the pm be that much different really? Also the whole lifting my arm above my head thing. Is tha...

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Neurocardiogenic syncope

I have been diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) and a I had a PM implanted 1-18-07 to prevent me from blacking out. My condition is rate drop, beta blockers are not an option because I’m an asthmatic. On an average I have 15 to 20 rate drop episodes daily. The parameters of my setup is a rate drop of 40 bpm in 15 seconds or less with the pacemaker intervention then raising my heart rate to 90 bpm for two minutes. During the day my low limit rate is 60 bpm & at night when in sleep m...

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CHF

I have an ejection fraction of 20%. I am on meds to try and increase. I am a canidate for a bi--ventricular pacer after 3 months of meds if they fail. Does anyone know how I can get some info on the best make and model.The companys just issue some general information. I probably will get only one shot at this and would like to make the best decision possible. i am wearing a life vest at present and trying to live as normal as possible

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Just to Say: Hi Again

Hello Pacers.

It seems ages since I logged in and then I find the site has been updated. Congratulations to Blake for the changes. I am getting used to it all - have been off air due to computer breakdown.

Well, I had a fantastic time on holiday with Rewired. Kay and I get on so well. She is a wonderfullady and a wonderful friend. So supportive. ( I have been going through a really bad bout of depression) So, if I need a laugh to cheer me up I ring her. MY photos a...

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Coincidence

Hi I notice a pacer Billie Hyde. Well my name is Billie too.

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You know you're wired when...

The meaning of personal computer is taken a step further.

Member Quotes

My cardiologist is brilliant and after lots of trial and error got me running. I finished this years London Marathon in 3hrs 38 minutes.