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Replacement soon

Hi all.

This is my first time here. I had a dual chamber, rate responsive pacemaker implanted in 1997 (at age 19) and it is time to have it replaced. But, as far as I can tell (I'll know more next month) my leads do not need to be replaced.

I was told at the time that most people go back to work within a few days after having their pacemaker implanted. However, my first surgery kept me in quite a bit of pain for 2 months and I had a very hard time moving my left arm...

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small hard lump

My daughter had a pacemaker implanted in October. We've noticed a small hard lump next to her incision site. Has anyone experienced this? She is scheduled for surgery on Wed.

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Security gate

Hi all,
Due back in work next week after my 1st pm fitted last month.
We have a turnstile that uses a magnetic card reader to gain entry, is this likely to cause me a problem.


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DON

can any one reccomend a uk based travel insurance company that insures me for my pacemaker
thanks DON

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Hi

Hi all. Just happened to come across this site, so it's obviously my first time posting. I had no idea there was a support group like this for people with PM's!
The main reason for posting is this; I've had my PM for 2 years now. I have a complete congenital heartblock and have had a slow heart beat all my life. I finally had to get my PM when I ended up in the ER and my heartbeat was below 40. The day after my PM was put in, I felt this tremendous surge of energy. I went on my antib...

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New to all this

Hi
I am brand new to all this and very happy I found this club. I just got my pacemaker 4 days ago and am still getting use to the idea.
I will see the surgeon in 3 days to check the incision. All is well except I experience a little numbness in my left arm, the side my PM was implanted. Is this normal? I think I am just being a little paranoid but thought I should ask you folks that have been through it. Thanks so much for your info and help and for this site.
Howard Fisher

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thank you

I had my pacemaker in 5 weeks ago because of 2nd degree heart block type 2 with periods of 3rd degree. It all happened so quickly and unexpectedly. I had been feeling a bit strange but had not thought about it being my heart. Everything has gone well physically but emotionally its been hard to accept and I've had some teary days. Reading this site has really been a help as I get really worried about things like leads dislocating and getting very tired in hot weather. It is good to read the posts...

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Ablation Update

I'm scheduled for my second ablation to correct atrial flutter on Wednesday morning. I'm being admitting into the hospital tomorrow afternoon. My doctor wants to run some tests and ensure I'm stable enough for the procedure. I should be home on Thursday or Friday and back to normal on the weekend.

I'm not nervous yet, but based on past experience I will be needing an extra dose of valium to calm my nerves just before the procedure. My wife and nurses got lots of laughs at my exp...

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Thanks again!

I wanted eveyone here to know that it is possible to have a PM and stay in the military...it takes a head strong battle 9+ months and having to get my congressman involved however, I won! I am currently an Infantry Officer and deploying in 10 days so to all military personnel out there it is possible (depending on your medical reason for PM) to stay in even though the Reg says its not so make your minds up and prepare for the battle of your life! Good Luck to all...

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Thanks

How come I can't figure out how to reply to replies? Do you just post a new message? This message is for Smitty who replied to my question about when to exercise after PM implant. Thanks and based on your reply, I'll go for my walk this afternoon. Kind of fun to have a PM Club.

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Interrogation

Though I do not post,am a regular reader of all posts.Please can any member tell me why do they check EKG with and without magnet every interrogation?What is "Intrinsic Rhythm-AF with ventricular rate of 70-90 BPM?
Jaybee

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When to Exercise

I just got my pacemaker on Friday, March 19. I can walk upstairs and up a steep hill near my house without feeling like I'm going to die (yesterday, day 1). I was going to take a long walk today, but don't know when I should start getting back in shape. (I'm a former marathoner/hill bike rider that hasn't been able to do much for the past 3 months.) I've read some of your posts about working out, but I don't think anyone has said when to start.

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Hello Everyone!

Hope everyone is doing ok tonight!! :) I have another question for my smart friends. This is gross so sorry in advance! I got a stomach virus last Sunday and threw up ALL night. I stopped throwing up the next morning but when I was throwing up it felt like my pacemaker and lead were being pulled out of my chest!! Then I was having a sharp pain where the pacemaker is the rest of the night. Well now it is still sore but just a dull ache. Do you think I messed something up? The pacemaker is still w...

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Had My Wound Check

Well Hello everyone!!! I had my wound check yesterday! All looks great, its pretty swolen and bruised (i guess thats to be expected) The thing I was not prepared for was, that you can actually see the raised area of the PM..I can trace the entire thing with my finger!!! Will it always be like this, will it remaine raised and noticable?? WOW. Scarey!!! The also did the PM interrogation, all is working well....its settings are great so far, and I am...(sadly enough) 84% dependant on the PM....

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Medicines Containing Statins

Many of us on this blog are taking cholesterol lowering medications The following is about just one of them ( Simvastatin) but it has long been known that a ALL medicines containing statins, in any form, have the potential to cause muscle pain and other problems. So if you have muscle pain or problems you may need to talk to your doctor.

FDA Warns of Increased Risk of Muscle Injury with High Doses of Zocor (Simvastatin) (80 mg)

March 19, 2010

Simvastatin is so...

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remote monitoring for St Judes PM

My dad got his pacemaker Jan 12th--and he's doing pretty well. In fact, I think he acts like he feels better than he did before he got it, although he just got off arm restrictions so he doesn't have a lot of perspective about that yet.

Anyway, the pacemaker is a St Jude's model and according to the tech that put the pacemaker through its paces (pun intended) in the hospital, the pacemaker can be monitored remotely. We thought that sounded great. Strangely enough, the clinic wher...

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ICD EROSION

I have had a icd unit for 3 years now with no problems. I work as a stagehand and had a 25 lb reasonable lifting accomadation from my employer. Last June my managers scheduled me to work a show which required heavy lifting of arial gymnasts for their routines.I had requested prior to this show not to be scheduled to work due to my disability. The request was denied by my managers. As a direct result of lifting over 300lbs in a 4 day rehearsal my icd unit dislodged to underneath my left arm and b...

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New to the Site

Hello Everyone,

I had my PM implanted on Nov.20. Four months ago today! WOW! I had gallbladder surgery on Oct. 26. During the surgery I had heartblock 3. Placed on Coreg and Lisinopril for heart failure. My ejection fracture was 35-40 upon testing. Continued to have heartblock at home and went by squad to the emergency room on Nov. 16. Nineteen years ago I received an artificial aorta valve. Was told that a lot of times when a person has heart surgery, the electrical system can...

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Recent Posting Deleted

A recent posting titled, Criminal charges against Guidant, has been deleted. There was nothing wrong with the actual posting, but many replies (too many to manually delete) did not comply with our terms of use. In fact, many were down right rude.

Members are certainly entitled to opposing points of view provided they are expressed in a manner that does not violate our terms of use. Please refer to our terms of use if in doubt. In particular, the clause that says …

You e...

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Interference question

Since I have the potential for heart block, I have a pacemaker. It kicks in when my pulse drops below 60, which happens on occasion.

I was going to buy a infrared pulsar wave massager for my upper back and neck problems. I went to the Medtronics website to see if it would interfere with my device, but it wasn't listed.

I plan on calling them on Mon., but in the meantime, I'm wondering if anyone here has had issues with hand held electronic infrared massagers?

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You know you're wired when...

You have a T-shirt that reads “Wired4Sound”.

Member Quotes

I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.