Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

Post Message!

Need an opinion

I have a question. Has anyone ever heard of a pacemaker being set "on the wrong speed?" Mine was installed in July 2010 after a fainting episode. My heart was not beating fast enough. Since that time, I have been BEYOND tired. I have struggled almost a year now. It is set to kick in when my heart goes below 60 beats. I am still young (only 56) and active. Today a new doctor told me that maybe the pacer is not set high enough to keep up with my activities. I go 5/2/11 for a check of pace...

Read More...

Dft testing

I had my first ICD implanted March 23.  Well the Dr had a lot of complications during the procedure so they weren’t able to put me into a deep sleep to do the DFT test where they induce an arrhythmia and see if the ICD works and shocks me out of it. I have to go back to have it done next month, so I am wondering about everyone elses experience.

Read More...

rate response

I go for my 1 year check-up in June and I have a question. What is a rate response and is it something that needs to be set on my PM?  I had the activity "whatever" turned on at the 6 month check-up and it improved my ability to walk and do things, but I feel it could be better.

Any help readily accepted as I am in the dark about my companion (PM) and want to know what to request on this visit.

Thanks for your answers and help.
Binky (Dianne)

Read More...

voltage change/tiring normal?

Hi. My 37 year old son had a pacemaker implant 4 weeks ago. His voltage (?) setting was 5. Yesterday at his 2nd and release check-up, the 2 leads showed normal, safe scar tissue and his BP & Pulse & heart rhythms were so good, the technician cut his setting from 5 to 2.5.  That seemed like a big cut at one time.

Just a few hours after, he began feeling somewhat tired like before he had the pm implant (was only getting 30’s in the heart rates). The past 2 weeks he h...

Read More...

Rate response & gasping for breath & bloating

Hi Everyone,

Had a St Jude pacemaker implanted January 2009 for second degree AV block. Additional complications before and since - Sinus Bradycardia (about 50 bpm), paroxysmal atrial flutter/fibrillation, pacemaker mediated tachycardia(PMT). Currently taking flecainide. AV delay 325ms (sensed) to encourage own heart rate. Base rate set at 60 bpm to minimize AF. Pvarp 325ms to eliminate PMT. Max tracking rate 90bpm.

Apart from episodes of AF I have felt generally OK and could...

Read More...

Question about checkup time

My PM had its first anniversary in Feb, and its first 6 month checkup was last October. OK so i procrastinated a bit, it's a long trip to the nearest PM clinic. Now I'm due again, but I'm having scheduling problems i.e. one clinic is only the first Thu of each month; it's a 60 mile drive (each way) & I'm already scheduled for fun things the first Thu of the next 2 months. The clinic I used before is a 110 mile drive (each way) & it's out of net payment, but I can get an appointment later this...

Read More...

Telephone checks

I have a Boston Scientific Altrua 60 pacemaker. At my 1st follow-up check 3 weeks ago they gave me my unit to do the phone in checks. This machine has 2 wristbands and a cradle for the phone.

My question is, what data gets transmitted to the clinician? Do they get an ECG reading or just my heart rate? Is it just checking that the device goes into magnet mode when I place the magnet over the PM?

I should have asked these questions at my appointment but didn't think abo...

Read More...

anyone ever heard of this

Ok I had been having some episodes of almost blacking out and went to get a pm check. The P.A. said that my restasis setting was turned on and shouldn't have been. I had never heard of that. Anyone know what that means? It has something to do with the amount of time between beats I think. I'm confused!

Read More...

Medtronics carelink

Cardio Dr has prescribed a carelink for home monitoring my pace. A friend who uses one asked if I did not use Cableone phone service. I do. He advises the monitor will not work except on the standard traditional landline. Is this correct? The Medtronic tech said nothing about this, nor did Dr, nor did Cableone. Any comment would be appreciated.

Read More...

Checkup Report

Had my annual office check this morning. Kind of boring. Not much to report. All is working fine and no need for changes.

Now it is just sending a CareLink by phone every 3 months till April 2012.

frank

Read More...

Double ventricular beats

It was such a delight to find this website, and explore the friendly comments and information shared with each other, when I heard last September that I needed a pacemaker insertion due to CHB – a complete surprise, as it seems to be for us all.

So my first posting; can I say hello and ask for your advice/opinion?

The pacemaker was inserted on November 5th, (ha ha!) and my recovery has not been as speedy as I anticipated with continued SOB on even mild exertion, and chest p...

Read More...

Thallium stress test and pacemaker adjust ...

Hi,
I've got to get a stress thallium test tomorrow to look into a relatively low EF reading (53) and don't know if this is routine or what to expect from a three-hour procedure and radioactive substance in my veins. Does everyone with a pacemaker for a stage 2 AV block get one of these, or am I yet more special?
Also, I went running on a treadmill a little too hard and likely exceeded my pacer's 140 top limit. It was for about 20 minutes and left me really beat in the evening and su...

Read More...

Adjusting setting while doing physical

Need help to confirm if there is a clinic in Melbourne Australia where you can have a proper check up by a Technician who will actually test your physical well being while he adjusts your settings. My dad seems to just get quick tap on the screen with a pen,t hen shoved out the door feeling all wrong. They don’t seem to care, I would like to take him somewhere where they can adjust his settings accurately, he has a Medtronic PM for Bradycardia.

Read More...

over sensing

Hi, I posted a few weeks ago about having pacemaker box replaced on 23rd Feb. Since then I have continued to have dizzy spells.  Went to see the cardiologist yesterday, who said cannot see anything wrong with my heart on tracing. Had pacemaker checked again with technicians. They are now saying that my pacemaker is over sensing.  Looks like I have got atrial tachycardia, but they say that this is false, because the pacemaker is picking up something, it thinks is a beat, but is not...

Read More...

heart

how many people heart only working 25 percent?

Read More...

Capture Management

Hi,

I haven't been on the site for quite a while (I had a baby)! But I'm hoping someone out there might know the answer to this: I had my pacemaker interrogation today and was told everything was fine. I am only pacing 1% of the time. But I noticed on the report as I was taking it to the receptionist to go in my file that it said 'Capture Management turned off as always in SR'. Does anyone know why you might turn this feature off? I thought it was an important safety feature (I...

Read More...

BEATS

JUST HAD MY PACE MAKER CHECK AND WAS TOLD IM 100% RELIANT ON MY PACEMAKER WITHOUT IT MY HEART ONLY BEATS AT 30 BEATS A MIN BUT WAS TOLD AT NEXT CHECK IT MAY HAVE IMPROVED .HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE.

Read More...

beats

hi everyone thank you for your comments has put my mind at ease m c

Read More...

Rate Responder

I've read alot on this site about the Rate Responder. How it might need to be turned off and how to check if it's turned on but can someone explain exactly what it's used for? My PM has a bottom number of 60 and top number of 120. I thought between these numbers your PM did nothing.

Clarification would be appreciated!!

Debbie

Read More...

Follow Up Visit

I had my follow up visit this afternoon and all went well. I was a nervous wreck, broke down a few times worrying something would be wrong and they would need to operate again or put me on medication but I got the great news that I am as good as new and I can resume my life as I did before the PM implant! The doctor also confirmed that whenever I am ready (and of course as long as my OBGYN is on board) we can have another baby.

In fact my heart is actually using the PM less than ant...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic man.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.