Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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adjusting

Thanks for all the good advice. My pacemaker is doing well and I am getting use to it most of the time. After this 6 weeks I have another problem. My replaced knee went out and now I am faced with perhaps another surgery. My life is never dull. :)

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home check ups

ok I have an odd question. Like most of you I have the machine at home to send info to my Dr. My question is does anyone if there is a way to use your cell phone to send the info. Maybe a bluetooth adapter

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St Jude Merlin Monitor

MY DR SENT ME A MERLIN MONITOR WITH 2 DATES THAT THE MONITOR WILL CHECK MY PC/ICD AT 3AM. DO I NEED TO KEEP THIS PLUGED IN ALL THE TIME OR CAN I PLUG IT IN THE DAY IT'S GOING TO CHECK ME ?
ANY HELP ?
MIKE

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re:PVCs

Frank - thanks for the comments about the pacer vs. PVCs. I didn't think the Jumping around in my diaphragm was PVCs. My doctor told me that because he couldn't think of any other reason other than possible "referred" electricity which passes thru connective tissue. Then He came up with the idea of PVCs which I still don't believe. I still think it's the PM causing the "jumping around". The lower setting of 130 has diominished the "jumps" significantly but I can't carry on my extra activiti...

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My rant cont.

Hi again, yes it is still hot in Kansas. 109 today is the predicted high!

I spoke to the "Pacemaker phone check" person and I was right. Their has been a failure in communication. The people at the front desk called every patient and left messages that we all have "Pacemaker Checks" on certain dates. They even called the patients (like me) that have St. Jude MERLINS. SO.... seems all of us are phoning in and asking the same question as I. Which was "Why are you calling me?" and "...

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re: PVCs

To whomever - thanks for the e-mail. To answer you, 150 setting was to accommodate my activity level since 120 was too low and the brakes went on. 130 was okay, 140 was okay but when I went to 150 - I could play golf and do everything else but that's when the pvcs started immediately. I am back at 130 level - guess what - NO PVCs - but I can't do everything now. The brakes go on. I require a higher setting because I am so active. I would rather play golf and get up a flight of stairs in th...

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Just my rant...

I had a complete cardiology check up last month. Stress test, heart echo, and a visit with my St. Jude EP. I also had a talk with the cardiologist. Everything was great. I left with an appointment for next year, June 2012.

So here's the problem... I received a phone message today stating that I have a pacemaker checkup for Sept. 8th! Are you kidding me was my first thought. I have the Merlin so I don't go into the office for PM check-up anymore. I don't see the point, maybe I am b...

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Feeling like Yourself

I had my PM installed 7/5. I have been to the Dr twice for tune ups. I am lightheaded and short of breath. I am starting to wonder if I am expecting too much to feel like myself again. Does anyone feel like thet don't have any issues from their PM?
Thanks

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Pacing

I was at the Dr today for my year check up. I guess the bottom of my heart is 100% pacing now. He asked me if I had had any dizziness. I didn't know why I said a few off and on. Hadn't thought anyhing on them as I had a bad case of vertigo a few years back and thought it was just that trying to hit me again. After he got done charting he asked me if I had any questions and I said no. He told me that I had a block and would see them in 6 months. He made a phone check in 2 months and a 6 month app...

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PVCs anyone?

Need some help here. St. Jude pacemaker implanted in March 2010. No problems. Went for checkup and settings were changed to a high level of 150 because of my very active life. Within a couple of hours "jumping" in my chest started. Dr. and St. Jude Rep think it's PVCs - pre-ventricular contractions. Had settings reduced to level of 140 - most of the "jumping" cleared up. So had the level re-adjusted back to 130 which was the original setting but still have random "jumping". Anyone have t...

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Syncope....still

It's been nearly 3 months of regular syncopal and near-syncopal episodes. I've had multiple ambulance rides and even more emergency responders visit. (Never by my own choice since I am fully aware that my condition is NOT life threatening.) My pacemaker settings have been changed so many times by so many people, I have no idea how they're set. This morning, they were supposedly adjusted by my regular dr who indicated he was setting the lower limit of the pacemaker to 70 to try to keep my hea...

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Cardio appointment today

Well I went to my Cardiologist not the electrician the plumber and got my meds adjusted because my heart is till doing cartwheels and racing once the cartwheels are done. he asked did I ever take an extra propranolol when it acted like that I said no no one had ever told me I should and I was given the med for high BP not heart antics so I wasn't doing anything I wasn't told to do. He said that is why you have the pacemaker to keep the meds from making your heart go too slow once you take th...

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Does anyone feel a shortness of breathe

I had my PM installed 2 wks ago after heart failure. I have been feeling light headed and dizzy so they realigned the settings. Now I feel a shortness of breathe. Has anyone else had this sensation? I think I was better off with the original settings. Is it common to go back often until it is set up properly?

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First PM checkup

I recently had my first checkup.I obtained a 12 page copy of Parameters/Final Report. I was told that the PM was being used at a rate of 43%.
Could anyone help me understand and make heads or tails of the important items in this report?
Thanks
BG

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a little help please :~)

Hi all just joined to day had no idea there was a pm club!! lol, i have had my pm since 2004 and now im back to 6mth check ups, i have one in august as they said at begining of year the battery was down to 3 yrs n 6mths before was 6 yrs....im having frequent dizzy spells and have not had them for a very long time n wondering if there is any side effects from a battery running low lol....sorry if this has been asked before total newby here lol xxxx

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pacemaker self check routine

hi..
im a newbi to this site so not 100% with all the abreviations

i just had a biotronic dual chamber pacemaker fitted about a month ago after a revael device (implanted heart monitor) showed my heart had stopped for 30 seconds

after my 1st monthly checkup the tecnician said my pacrmaker had been used 40% she said that meant the 1 wire had been in use for 40% of the time since it was installed and was not to woory as its probably just a night time configuration.
...

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Question

I have only had my pacemaker 6 days now but feel like I'm pacing too fast. My resting heart rate was in low 40's and now PM has me at 60. I'm wondering if they will turn me down a bit and gradually move up! Anyone else feel a constant pounding in the right ear after getting there's? Also, had low blood pressure prior to PM and now on medication.

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Pacemaker settings and blood pressure

Hello Everyone;
I was referred to the EP by my cardiologist due to Ventricular tachycardia. I had a dual chamber PM placed x 6 yrs ago. The EP said that the VT was non-sustained and nothing to worry about. Also my BP was always Low normal and at times very low. He changed some settings while I was visitng and gave me a lot of information on low BP. Well, my BP suddenly became really high!! He said that he didn't do anything to my settings that would effect my BP. He said he just changed a...

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1wk check up

Hello all, i am definitely new to this whole world and never new there were so many others with pacemakers and defib units until i ended up getting one last week and started reseaeching so much about it. Today is my 1wk checkup and though i am anxious i am also a bit scarex cuz i dont know what to really expect. I kno they are also gonna do a chest xray to make sure everything is still in the proper place. My biggest question and concern is the 16 staples i have in my incision. Will they mos...

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everything fine

1 year check-up went great. All working as should be No events in the last month. So he wouldn't take me off sotalol cause it is working so well and was afraid a new drug might put us back to square 1 again. BUT off warferin. Last blood work this am. So happy. I have decided to battle the weight gain head to head. Started my walking after 1 year , Only managed 20 mins but will work up to my 3K + a day. Also allowed to mow lawn with a push mower ( Not a fan of ride-ons) Lift weights And just basi...

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You have a shocking personality.

Member Quotes

I feel so blessed to have this little gem implanted in me. When I think of the alternative it is quite overwhelming sometimes.