Most Recent Messages

Post Message!

constant lack of energy

I had a pacemaker implanted when I was 15 years old due to complete heart block. I have never been on medication at all and have never regularly seen a doctor due to lack of insurance coverage. Basically I am healthy other than that but I have always had a lack of energy. I feel so tired all the time. I can drink a ton of coffee and nothing. When I work very hard at all my face turns really red and I tire easily. If I were to run up 20 stairs and back down I would be breathing heavily and my hea...

Read More...

Flutter

Hi~
I have had my medtronic pacer 2 months now and I am experiencing something rather strange. When I get into a running automobile my rate seems to flutter and race?!?!?!?!? Anyone else have an experience similar??? It seems more prominent when I drive my Smart Car. Also still SO tired/fatigued/depressed.
Thanks
Sanctus

Read More...

Battery life of Medtronic PM

Thanks to all who responded so quickly to my message about a sudden drop in my battery life expectancy. I thought of myself as an educated consumer, but I see I have a lot to learn about all this...even after three years. All of the explanations offered make sense. I don't think I pace 100%; last visit, closer to 20-25% But that could have changed. The idea that a lead could be damaged, causing the battery to work harder is also a possibility. I admit I don't "baby" it. Again, thanks for...

Read More...

Doing Great

Had my bi-v ICD last Thursday. The incision itches a little, but beyond that everything is great! I don't worry about the ICD kicking in... if it does, Thank God!
I went to Athens, GA today with my wife, a professional photographer to take pictures of our graduating daughter by the "gates"... UGA grads will understand this. I leave this Thursday for a drive to Baton Rouge from Atlanta to attend a class reunion and participate in the Beaux Bridge Crawfish festival. Nothing better than crawfi...

Read More...

swelling

  • by nm
  • 2010-04-25 08:04:10
  • Coping
  • 1666 views
  • 7 comments

Hi, I am still swollen...I know it is the same as after one week and now I am three weeks since the surgery. Just needing reassurance that it will eventually be not swollen. I don't see the dr. for another 10 days so am anxious about that. Think she might not let me drive yet because it is still swollen. Already had stitches out after one week and then saw how swollen it was. It seems to be stretching my skin and it quite irritating. My shoulder seems sore and I do not sleep well at all....

Read More...

Pacemaker/ Defibrillator

I had my PM/Defibrillator put in on 2009. I am 35 year old male and would like to know why my PM/Defibrillator feels like it has never healed or set into place. It is always tender and puffy. I can not even lay on my left side when I sleep. (EVER)
I do not have insurance (waiting on SSI). So if anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it. P.S. my pacemaker goes off(works) kicking my heart back into rhythm at least 5 to 9 times a day. Does this happen to anyone else. If so how long ar...

Read More...

itchiness

I havea wierd question....is it possible to be allergic to the leads or something like the pacemaker itself??? I mean ever since I have had the PM implanted, I have intense intchiness leading from the inscion site down to the underneath of my breasts to middle of my chest bone.. to my arm pits!!!! its insaine!!!!!! There is no rash..no red ness..just a deep underlying itchiness..thats driving me insaine!!!!! I am ready to peel my skin off!!!!! anyone else have this problem????

Read More...

Dizzy, Light-headed, Black-out

Hi,
I have noticed that many of us experience dizzy spells which seem to be one of the things that come with having pacemakers.
What I'd like to know is how do you cope with it?
Since I have had my old PM replaced back in mid-January this year, I have had more light-headed spells and have blacked out twice. I have been back to you cardiologist for "tune-ups" in this new one which seem to be helping.
Anyhow, I'd like to know what others have done or are doing.

Read More...

battery life of a Medtronic PM

I've just read several currently posted comments about battery life with the Medtronic PM. After a telephone checkup recently I was told that my battery life was down unexpectedly (PM only 3 yrs/ 3 months old) and that I should schedule a visit. I was asked the usual questions about whether I'd had an MRI, been near heavy equip, etc. Nothing I recall.
My questions is, does anyone have any information on unexpected drop in battery life and thoughts as to what that might be related to? Th...

Read More...

My boyfriend's getting a pacemaker

Hey everybody, I'm new here. My boyfriend is 30, and he's getting a pacemaker and implantable defibrillator in a week. (He has hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, and had open-heart surgery in January of 2009 to thin the thickened heart tissue) He has some major concerns that he's just talking about now, and I'd love to be able to tell him things that might help him feel better. One thing he's concerned about is the frequency of it, and what, when the defibrillator does its job, it will...

Read More...

advice

I've never posted anything on a website before but I am feeling very frustrated and found this site so I thought I'd give it a try.

I'm 29 yrs old and have had a pacemaker for almost 6 yrs now. For the past 3 yrs my heart has been going too fast. I feel like the Dr doesn't really listen to how this makes me feel and just rights a script after hearing not even half of what I'm trying to tell him. Every new med I have had bad side effects from but everytime he just gives me something ne...

Read More...

Home INR testing

Does anyone have experience with a specific company for home inr monitoring. The company I've been involved with has been messing around for 3 months even though I'm approved that's as far as it's gone and I'm looking for another provider. Thanks dottodot

Read More...

?

It's been 3 weeks since I got my pm I am now getting a painfull shockin feeling in my chest.. Is that normal?

Read More...

Interesting Video

Found this video and I thought some of you may find it helpful:
http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=11732
It's about an hour video from a electrophysiologist of how the heart works, pacemakers and conditions of the heart.

Enjoy!
Tracie

Read More...

What to do when battery dies...

So I had my Medtronic pacer installed in May 2003 and was told it would last up to 2011. I am a slacker and don't call in my pacer as much as I should, my last call was in October 09 and they told me I had 1 yr left. I had this huge arrhythmia on monday for 1hr 15 minutes and couldn't get my pacer to pull me out.. (finally did tho). I was clocking between 145-200. Long story short.. I called in my pacer and found out that the red flag had been raised and my battery number was at 80.. which m...

Read More...

Finally a date

after waiting almost a week they finally set a surgery date for my caratic artery on May 8th, have pretests next tuesday. Wish me luck. The vascular office will probably be so happy when they are done with me or I sure hope I didnt make the doc mad with my constent calling asking if they had it set up since they wouldnt call me. Hummmm now im wondering.

dave

Read More...

New, kinda long

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and I wanted to make my first post here. I'm 20 years old. I have a 15 month old son. Last year i got my pacemaker put it. During my pregnancy I had strange heart problems. After I had my son while I was waiting to be discharged to go home my pulse jumped between 260-300 BPM for over 10 minutes. They had a nearly impossible time getting it down. I met with a cardiologist and he sent me for an ablation. I woke up to an emergency pacer hanging out from my ri...

Read More...

What to do at a time like this?

My friend's daughter has passed away.

She was just 28 years old. She went for a nap with her 6 month old baby and never woke up! She died in her sleep. It seems that her heart just stopped. I don't know what to do. I have a pacemaker and my girlfriend knows that it is why I am alive. But her daughter has died because of a similar problem that no one knew about. It is so sad.... my heart breaks for her.

My goodness... so sad

Read More...

Static

I have no idea why but these past few months my hair has been going static every time I brush it using the same brush I've used for ages! It's a nightmare trying to do my hair! Do you think it could be my pacemaker or just coincidence? I know it's a daft question but I have to ask.

Read More...

Double the trouble

Looks like my neighbour is going through the same thing as me now. They've been banned from driving because of unpredicable and frequent passing out. The tests taken at the hospital are near enough the same as mine. We could have another pacer joining the ranks before too long. I hope they can sort the problem without surgery though as she is only in her 20's

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

Member Quotes

Without this little machine, we would not be here.