Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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silly question

hi everyone first id like to wishevery one a lovley xmas and wish you all well for the new year ,ell ive not been on for a while and this may seem like a silly question but have to ask ,hubby has a merchanical mitral valve and a pm ,was woundering if a sore throat an flu like symptoms can affect any of these may seem silly but was told a while ago by somone if he gets a bad throat we have to c doc as may affect valve does any one no if this true oe has anyone heard of this before many regards el...

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Severe pain in arm at PM side...

So the doctor explained a few things today. Not sure it was exactly what I wanted to hear. I just started off with this few seconds in the day where I would gasp for air as if knocked out of me, then the dizzyness, sweating occurs. Then my arm started to swell up and turn pale with pins and needles. I got such a fright. Was sure it is another heart attack. Got bloodworks and sonar.. Turned out to be vasoconstriction. I am still not sure about the gasping for air episode. The PM seems to be just...

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CT Myelogram (cervical)

Hi, I have a compressed cervical disc which is causing right arm numbness and severe shoulder pain. They won't give me an epidural unless I have a CT Myelogram because I can't have the MRI test due to my pacemaker. Has anyone had this test? Looked it up online and found one person describe it as medieval torture, so I am a little nervous. The doctor did tell me I might get a headache but it should only last a week. Any info would be appreciated.

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Pacemaker Syndrome

I go for a three month pacer check tomorrow - a friend with pacemaker tells me she feels I may have pacemaker syndrome - I have never heard of this. Symptoms of dizziness, short of breath, extreme fatigue and lethargy, chest fullness and some pain - always right hand side, light headed, jaw pain, headaches, thudding heart beats now and again in stomach and neck - rh side again. This started a week ago, had settings changes 3 months ago because of symptoms with right ventricular pacing, now DDIR...

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PRADAXA

Has anyone tried the new drug Pradaxa Yet? It is to replace Coumadin. Your INR would not have to be checked and it would not be affected by what you eat. I checked, and my mail order drug co has it in stock. My insurance company will cover it, but as a non formulary drug. so my co pay would be $140 for 90 day supply. I could pay for part of this because I have to drive 100 miles roundtrip once a month for the INR check. At 20 mpg it takes 5 gals gas at $2.75 so that is about $14 every month, s...

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You never know

I just had a meeting with my cardio last Monday.
I was a bit confused, because last year he had told me that I had a type 2 AV block. Yet my surgical report had mentioned that I was operated because I had Sick Sinus Syndrome. So, at the meeting, I asked the cardio to tell me "What is it?"
It seems that the SSS was a valid diagnostic, totally independent from the heart block, but that the heart block was real as well, although it appears to have subsided at this time.
Just to say...

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Any info/help please?

Hi all. There is some progress on the ongoing investigation of my dizziness problem I've had since my ablation in July. The dizziness has just continued to get worse & worse over the weeks & months. Lightheadedness, not vertigo.

My Tilt Test was negative. I failed an exercise (treadmill) test last month as my systolic (top number) blood pressure dropped mid-way through the test (which is NOT normal) & my heart rate was racing at 115 for 15 minutes after the test (it should return to n...

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effect of pacemaker on blood pressure

I have had a PM for two weeks and my blood pressure, with medication, which was still high has dropped quite a lot. I am wondering if a pacemaker has that effect. If so I will need to get my medication adjusted. Meb

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The medicine Coreg

I was wondering if any of you are on Coreg or the generic form, Carvedilol? When I went in for a PM check a little over a week ago they increased my Coreg and every day I've been having vision problems. I have aura in my eyes that lasts about 15 min. at a time, about 3 times a day. I am thinking it's from the Coreg, but I'm not sure. Anyone else have this and did it eventually go away?

Thanks for all your help, Cathy.

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3-month follow up

Yesterday I had my checkup and the interrogation print out confirmed that I have not had a A-Fib episode since July 31. I knew that I hadn’t recognized any but was tickled that the PM didn’t record any. I had 15 PVCs since the last reading on July 30 but my understanding is that they are nothing to worry about. Looks like the high dosage of Rythmol (Propafenone) 225mg 3x day and Sectral (Acebutololol) 400mg 2x day are holding the A-fib in check. I know that is probably approaching th...

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help

ive had my pacemaker for week im feeling same im still out of breath and i was hoping big change can you please tell if any one had any problems cause i feel in pain and it feels the same no difference

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biopsy

Mornin all,

I know I havent checked in for a few months but everything has been going great as far as my pacer is concerned. (knocks on wood!) My current problem is they found a spot on my breast and are doing a core biopsy today. The only meds I am getting are 1 valium and 1 codein just as I leave the house. Im just scared the meds will lower my heart rate during the biopsy. I cant find any info about these meds with a pacer. The only thing my dr told me is check with pharmacy about...

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ER Visit

Well today was not a good day at all for me. I woke up at 5am throwing up and in pain. I can’t even tell you how much I threw up. I called my dad at 9am and couldn’t talk bc the pain was so intense.
He came home and took me to ER where they said it sounded like the flu or appendix. My white count was high so they ran all kinds of painful tests. What they determined is I have two kidney stones and a ovarian cyst.
He said that I could stay in the hospital if I couldn&rsq...

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seems high dose of warafrin

hello everyone ive not been on here for quite a while as things have been running quite smoothly up to the last few weeks with hubby he has a mechanical mitral valve and a pm ,which he has had nearly 2 yrs now ,well just lately his inr has been all over the place, up and down for some reason, from as low as 1.4 to as high as 6 .2     well his results have just come again and this week they are 2.4 and his dose has changed again to 9 mg 5 days and 10 1/2 mg 2 days to...

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squeezing, talking, jolts, esophogus test



I have had a pacemaker now for 4 weeks. The feeling of jolts to my chest continue when I lay down, and even sometimes when I sit. A squeezing sensation in my upper chest is now getting more frequent. When I talk I feel short of breath and get that squeezing sensation in my chest. I also feel like coughing when this happens.
I have been told the PM is working fine. But, I have been getting these jolts since approx. two hours after the PM was installed.

I am so mi...

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Nerve Conduction Test ?

I have an ICD, replaced from previous one in June 2010. I have occasional awareness of "strange heart rhythm" and after testing the ICD, it was noted that one of the two leads was not functioning. The Cardiologist is not in a hurry to replace it and stated that as long as I am able to tolerate it when I have that "feeling", he would rather hold off on another procedure. My question...I am going to see an Orthopedist next week for a very painful low back situation and I know he will want to sched...

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How much sicker do I need to be?

Do I need to die before someone figures out how to fix me? I'm falling apart. I spent most of my day in afib and can barely function anymore. I have to save my energy for the times that I need to be all there. Just had another angio and it's normal. Could've told them that. They kicked me out of hospital with chest pain, in afib, wacked out on pain meds, and bleeding from every incision site & my nose because jerk drs gave me aspirin. I have a bleeding disorder. They told me nothing is wrong wi...

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medicine

Anyone on Multaq? If so what is your experience? I am on Sotalol but it is not working so doctor now wants to switch to Multaq.

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Heart Monitor

Well, UPS delivered my heart monitor today. I am supposed to get a phone call from Cardionet instructing me on how to use it.

To learn more about the Cardionet MCOT device check out:
http://cardionet.com/patients_02.htm

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weight gain in the mid section

Hi fellow pacers,
I have had my 3 lead pacer for 1 year this month and have a question for anyone who might have a problem with weight gain. I am a 49 year old female, and obviously it is also that time in life that things are changing anyway, but I have been packing on between 1-3 pounds a week for the last month of so, and am wondering if this is something to be concerned about. A little background info, one of my leads is not making a good contact so my voltage is jacked up and draining...

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.