Most Recent Messages in Coping

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Upset over scar

I'm really bothered by my pm scar. Hubby says its not that bad, daughter says I'm obsessing. I just want it to stop hurting and I'd like to do something to minimize the appearance. I wish i didn't feel so bad about it, but I do. I wish I could ignore it but the constant irritation keeps me focused on it. Please don't tell me that the scar is just a cosmetic issue - although I wouldn't do it, there are people who risk their lives having cosmetic surgeries all the time.

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Lost Job Due To Pacemaker

Hello,

I am new here. I had a Medtronics pacemaker #ADDR01 implanted in Aug. at the age of 47 years old. I was working as a Locomotive Engineer at the time. However, since the locomotives have electromagnetic fields, though the risk was low, my Cardiologist said that it was too great of a risk due to how much my heart is using the pacemaker. Subsequently, my railroad terminated me since I could not fulfill my job requirement. This has been devastating. It was a job that I was very pas...

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Please help!

I'm happy to see our club is growing in compassion and concerns for others. I thank you all for your postings and your words of comfort when I need them.

I have a request to ask of you whom may have gone through a triple bypass surgery. My aunt is line up to have the surgery sometime in January. She's a bit concern and her anxiety is through the roof. My cousin whom I love like a brother is also having a hard time with the whole surgery thing. I'm asking anyone who have good or...

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Question

Hi There,

Yesterday I found out I needed to get a pacemaker.
I couldn't believe it, I cried my eyes out. I'm a 24 year old women and I couldn't believe how scared I am. In my case I have vasovagal syncope. So I pass out, I've probably passed out about 200 times in my life time. I need to make a choice, should I get one or shouldn't I. All doctors say yes, mom and dad are a go. But I don't know.

How painful is it, not the surgury but in general just to have. I've...

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encouragement

I have had a dual chamber pm for three weeks now. (dislodged wire several days after implantation which was repaired in addition).
Anyhow, it is encouraging to hear about the emotional edge many people have also experienced after getting the pm. That alone helps with the anxiety I have experienced, really, for the first time in my life - I am 59, and this all happened very suddenly. I have been in very good health beforehand, active, asymptomatic!!. No medical history to speak of. One que...

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Allan(41) Edinburgh re Atenol and a_fib

Hi everybody it is now nearly 8 weeks since my first pacemaker implantation a st judes dual lead pacemker with atrial suppressor lead.I was still getting a-fib after operation only 1-3 % of time but still uncomfortable enough to warrant bet blockers tried bismodol made me sick so switched to atenol

I have been taking theses pills for nearly three weeks now and touch wood they do seem to disguise my episodes of afib but i am sure thet are still there underneath.
i do feel quite s...

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I've been thinking...

For years now I've been perplexed and frustrated at the confusion there seems to be concerning what exactly a pacemaker will and will not do. I think, generally, all of us were made aware of our issues concerning heart rhythms either by an abnormal EKG, symptoms, or episodes of passing out, ect. Most of us have no expert knowledge of our sometimes surprising diagnosis', and we listen with a kind of numbness to the news that we need a pacemaker or an ICD. I know I truly was under the impression...

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Update and thanks for the great feedback!

Back on 10/26, I introduced my current situation and myself. I want to thank everyone for his or her comforting words, encouragement, and advice. Thanks so much for the messages. I agree with Frank’s posting. Anything could have caused this...viruses, etc. Also, my concern with a pacemaker could be masking the real cause.

I want to share this with everyone. Might be a remote possibility that you or somone you know had a terrible experience with medications that resulted in a PM...

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About to have a dual lead pacemaker

I will be have a Pacemaker fitted within the next 6 weeks :( I am a bit afraid of the injections into the chest as I have been told they can be painful. Is this the only pain that is felt during the procedure?

Any advice regarding questions to ask and what to expect would be gratefully acknowledged.
Tessy

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pain weights

I do have osteoporosis and would like to know if their are any light weight upper body exercises I could do without bothering my pm which is not quite three months old. Also, do any of you get slight pain in the pacemaker site occasionally or when you are anxious about anything at all? Would love your input... thanks... aldeer

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This is a little out of ordinary

Okay,
I really really need some help here. It is not really related to the pm but affairs of the heart and stress on the heart.

I was delivered some devistating news last week. This is an issue that has been going on for months but I thought was over. It just got worse.

Well my question is this I have gone to the hospital several times over the past few months with chest pain. The doctor says it is stress related but I also have my pm to worry about. Do you all kn...

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Anxiety After Being Zapped By Defib

Any advice on getting over those anxieties after being zapped? In an ideal world you want to forget about having a defibrilator
and I was in that state of mind for a couple of years after it was fitted until I got zapped. The positive side of being zapped for me was at least I know what to expect if it were to happen in future. I do find myself feeling for my pulse from time to time which is a habit I want to get out of. In addition my libido/sex drive has dropped. I take a beta blocker (so...

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need help with a fib nuka

Dear Nuka,
i can empathize with you and any of us who have had to endure the anxiety and discomfort and occassional dizziness that accompanies a fib. Before my PM i would prefer having a flutter or reentrant atrial tachycardia over a fib because i just didnt function as well.(And i am a full-time physician who can't just call in sick easily.) i have gone for many days in a fib and i do not recommend it. you could be cardioverted and feel better quite immediately if things cannot be contro...

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Need help with a fib.

Hi All,
Since a change of medication a few months ago I am generally doing well except... I have had two of the longest episodes of a Fib that I have ever had. The first lasted 15 hours and the one last night was 12 hours.

All night long my chest rocked around like it thought it was at a Saturday night dance. I finally converted back to normal rhythm about 11 this morning. What a relief!!!

My question is this. Does anyone have any special coping techniques they use wh...

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follow-up on "scared beatless"

thanks for encouraging words. received a medtronic enrhythm PM and av node ablation and am two days post op. My only concern is( and I am seeing ep doctor tomorrow) i have a lesser rate of about 50 walking around and i feel dizzy and yet when i lie down the rate goes up to about 90 which seems like the opposite should be happening. I am concerned and wondered if anyone has experienced this and, oh, by the way, can this be changed by the ep doctor?

VIOLIN

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Symptoms

Hi.

My name is Roger and am a candidate for a pacemaker.
I currently take Atenolol for PVC's and have a slow pulse rate
currently in the forties. My major problem occurs when I am sleeping, when I will awake with extreme discomfort in my chest. My heart seems to function normally during the day.
My recent EKG and stress tests were negative apart from the PVC's. I am also able to exercise during the day without any difficulty, if it wasnt for the sleep problems I would...

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Still Nervous!

This last August had Pacemaker inserted as I had heart failure..I only knew at the that time,it would help regulate heartbeat..I have been doing well,checkups are great,but at times I get little pain in arms,and neck,and I get panicky thinking I am having heart problems..Since I am a new kid on the block,am wondering if anyone else had this experience..I dont know what to expect,or if this is normal?Aalthough I must say I feel great,walk without tiring,can now shop the malls,etc..My life has bee...

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Questioning the use of a second pacemaker

Hi everyone
After having a PM for some 17 years, it was decided to change the device, (not because it needed it because of the battery) but because the hospital did not like a pm in situ for that long.
The old one had just 1 lead, this new one has two leads.
They did not take the old lead out because they said it was too dangerous, infection might set it, burst arteries etc.
What happens if i need another pm, i already have 3 wires in situ now and i should imagine not much s...

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beta blockers (feel sick)?

Hi Allan (41) edinburghj

Just started on bete blockers about 5 days ago and i have had aches and pains and diahoria ever since .I dont know whether to blame the beta blockers or not as my girl friend had a bout of same symptoms last week.

Does anyone else have same experience

Allan

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abalation not right routefor afib?

Allan (41) edinburgh here three weeks today since pm implant

I spoke to my heart surgeon /doctor( on phone) about my racing heart and return episodes of afib.And he told me beta blockers maybe the next step and when i asked him about the abalation route he said that that would not be appropriate as having afib and sick synus syndrome with a pace maker it was more likely to be unsuccessful.

Only thing is i would really like to double check with my pm technician if my afi...

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