Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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fainting, vasovagal and a pacemaker

I had 3 episodes of fainting and I was wearing a heart monitor for the last two and found that my heart was pausing. At first they thought I had vasovagal and was scheduled for a tilt table test. But when I fainted for the 3rd time my heart stopped for 8.6 seconds so they quickly made the decision to put a pacemaker in. So I have had this pacemaker for 10 days and I haven't fainted since but I still feel woozy at times, almost like I just got off a boat from sea. The feeling doesn't last long...

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MRI

Has anyone ever had a MRI with their pacemaker? I just had an MRI compatible battery inserted, but because they didn't replace my leads I'm having a tough time trying to get an MRI..I was just wondering if anyone else has run into this and what you've done...Thanks

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Terminal ITYS

If I die at 105yrs they will remind all that "I Told You So". See what happens when you don't take all our meds and get all the tests. He was At Risk.

LOL

frank

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Stress Test


During a chemical stress test, it turned out I was allergic to the chemical used called persantine (sic). My chest suddenly felt like it was in a strong vise. I went into respiratory arrest and Code Blue. When I came around in ICU, I learned that the only thing that kept me going was my pacemaker which kept my heart beating while they were working on my lungs. Without the PM there would have only been a slim hope that CPR may or may not have brought me back. Wow! Scary! Thank you, Medtroni...

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Catheter Ablation

I am due to have a catheter ablation within the next 6 weeks for A-fib.
I am a little afraid,and do not like the idea of being PM dependent .
I received my PM in Feb and am still getting used to it .
So many of you are so cheerful and so helpful , you are greatly appreciated !
Thank you
ellsta

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Dabigatran

Just some interesting info from an article I read today:

"They observed that for 1774 patients who qualified for warfarin, the annual projected costs of anticoagulation management were $1 385 494, made up largely of labor and laboratory work. If all these patients were transitioned to dabigatran, the costs of labor and laboratory work would be eliminated, but the substantial drug costs significantly increase the price of patient management. For these 1774 patients to be treated with d...

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Pacemaker versus Cable phone service

This is Tues April 12 2011. posts on medtronic home moniter issues with cable phone service seem to be dated. I wonder if anything has improved. Is my new home monitor useless because I have cable phone service? CableOne Rep did not mention any Problem when I moved to their service, and the Medtronics rep mentioned only that cell phones would not work, at the time he ordered my home monitor. Will appreciate commentwppjo .

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EMGs and Pacemakers

Just thought I would share this since it caused me to do a lot of my own research. While I haven’t been around in a while I have been busy recovering from the incident I had while I was busy recovering from getting a pacemaker. Anyway, 9 months of PT, surgery to put my leg back together, and a bunch of other fun stuff, and now I am told I have to get an EMG (Electromyogram) to see what damage the nerves in my leg suffered due to my being hit by an SUV and the surgery necessary to inst...

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New ICD

Hi everyone, 10 days ago I had my PM removed and a bi ventricular/defib put in. I have CHF which I was diagnosed with last April.

Do many people that receive ICD’s have CHF?? The information that I read about this disease is really not that good, with 50% of the people diagnosed will not survive 5 years. From all the stories that I read I get the impression that many people survive much longer than this. I guess I just need some reassurance that this new device will keep me aro...

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High blood pressure and pacemakers

I had my pacemaker put in Dec 2010. I’ve had high blood pressure since I was 25 and I’m 73 now. I take a LOT of BP medication, five different ones plus potassium. Before the pacemaker was inserted my blood pressure was pretty well under control, but afterwards my blood pressure shot way up. The doctor doubled the dose of two of my medications trying to control it, but now says not to worry because some of the readings are low. In the morning it is nice and low, usually somewhere around 127/...

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device question

I have a question.... probably for some of the more "seasoned" crowd.

Lately I have been having what I would refer to as a "click" in my chest. Not all the time, but it has increased noticeably over the past few months. When it started I noticed that I could change my position and it would subside, but not so much anymore. Last week I was snuggling with my 11 yr old ( I take all the snuggles I can get :) ) and even she had noticed that my beat...

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Giddy

Hi
I have had 2 episodes in the last 3 weeks, I lose hearing in my left ear, get giddy and feel sick. my Dr gave me Prochlorperazine Maleate to take when I get this problem. Anybody have ideas on what will cause this problem?
Cheers Roy

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Atrial Fibrillation

Hi! I had the maze surgery 4 years ago and was doing well. In the last few months I have had some afib problems again. My cardiologist put me on a 30 day Holter Monitor and it’s been a week on the monitor and today I got a call that he has set me up for an electrocardiogram for this Friday.

Is this a normal procedure or is something showing up on the recordings on my Holter Monitor?  I called his office and he’s in surgery. Just curious. I’d appreciate any...

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Catheter ablation

Had the heart cath this morning. Arteries good. I need a Catheter ablation. Have an appointment scheduled mid May with an electrophysiologist. I’m thrilled they found the problem and it iappears easy to fix (though a little bummed I have to wait 6 weeks).

I feel validated-- there is a reason I am exhausted, sob, and dizzy. So glad I changed doctors!

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Maze Surgery

I had the maze surgery 4 years ago and just 1 year ago I was diagnosed with Alpha 1 (hereditary emphysema) and receive weekly infusions of prolastin for my Alpha 1. So I am on oxygen 24/7. In the last several months my heart has started having more atrial fibrillation.  I went to my cardiac doctor and I am now on a heart monitor for 30 days. This is my 5th day on the monitor and I call in approx. 3 times every day with a reading. I’m curious what steps are ahead of me.

<...

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fluid

I was wondering has anyone taken bumex for fluid retention and how is it working for you.  Is it keeping your fluid down in your stomach.

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Cath in the Morning

Leaving at 6:45 am for St Thomas 8:00 prep, 10:00 R & L Cardiac catheterization. Praying they find and fix the problem.

It will be interesting to find out what is going on in there!

See you soon.
Robin

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Anyone had this?

Hi all,

Further to my posts last week, I stopped the Flecainide last Monday. Since then my arrhythmia symptoms have gotten a lot worse & I’ve had episodes of palpitations lasting hours (instead of minutes). Breathlessness & blue lips are back too.

Has anyone had this? I am having trouble passing urine. I noticed on Friday I was very thirsty & again on Saturday. I suddenly realised last night that yesterday I was only going to the toilet about every 6 h...

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Passed out yesterday

I passed out yesterday at the YMCA after my workout. Bashed my head on the wall before hitting the floor. Spent all day at the emergency room being poked, prodded and pricked (with a needle - for those of you who’s mind is in the gutter). Both doctors who saw me were triathletes and knew where I was coming from. They interrogated my pacemaker, ran blood tests, x-rayed my chest, questionned me at length on my lifestyle, medical history and personal habits. The pacer was working as advertise...

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Will they put in PM during cath?

Having a RL cath Tuesday morning. If ithey think I need a pacemaker, will one be put in then? 

Nurse said if I needed stenting, he would do it then.

Thanks.

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