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Surgery was Monday and I came home yesterday.

I really am having issues wondering why I let them do this. The surgery itself went great. I DO NOT remember anything...not even the test shock! Thank you Jesus for that. The pain afterwards has been worse than expected. The vicodin would work on the pain, but make me feel like I was spinning and caused EVERYTHING to come back up. Now I'm on dimerol, and the nausa is better, but the pain is worse.

Did they try to put a 5...

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Prayers for strength please...

The wife and I are leaving So.West. Indiana at 2pm this afternoon for Indy and my pacemaker implantation tomorrow. I don't do well (nerves) around doctors and hospitals, haven't been admitted in 35 years.

I'd like to ask for your prayers for strength and calm and of course for the doctor. There seem to be so many nice caring people on this site, I hope I can help others as so many of you do.

I hit the gym (normally am there 5 days a week) last night and did my last milita...

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Anxiety

I know that many of us have certain levels of anxiety when dealing with and accepting our pacemakers. That would be expected.

But am I learning the hard way that sometimes....its not just anxiety for anxiety sake!

Get your thyroids checked if you feel like your anxiety or panic attacks after the pacemaker seem like they are going on a bit too long. You might have a hyperthyroid! Hyperthyroid is often overlooked and doctors may lump us in with the "your just anxious" crowd....

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total dependency on ICD?

I thought a PM/ICD paced for you when your heart is not doing the job? Although not good, my EF was 30-33, and pulse was mid 50's-low 60's. That's not too, too bad compared to some, but when my cardiologist said I should get the ICD,I did it. At any rate, at my 1st follow up w/ the EP, I was told I was pacing at 99%. Some settings were changed then and I was told my heart rate was set at 68-70. and would get a KICK if it went to 180. Since then, I am having problems exerting myself. When I use t...

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Your thoughts & prayers ~ please?

Hi everyone.

Tomorrow I am having surgery and I am scared.

I am not scared about being put to sleep; as I love that part.

I am scared that something will go wrong.

My history with my 5 pacemaker surgeries wasn't the best. I always fell into "the less than 1% category" for the risks!!!

I had several complications after each & every surgery. So, I guess it's only natural for me to be scared, eh????

My surgery is not hear...

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My ICD saved my life!

I occasionally log in and see many people question the necessity of having a pacemaker/ICD. I just wanted to tell everyone that feels that way of my latest experience that shows that if an PM/ICD has been recommended by your doctor for arrythmias, cardiomyopathies (my diagnosis since 1991) or any heart disease that affects the heart rhythm it is a very important thing in your life.

On Thursday the 28th of January I had an appointment with my cardiologist for a followup to a hospital...

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Finally!

Ok, guys,
Just after sending my last message, my cardiologist's clinic phoned and told me that he wants to see me ASAP. He said to book me in the next available appointment. I'm going next Tuesday and my Mom is going with me. Finally someone is doing something. I don't know if this is good or bad, but the receptionist told me that he usually doesn't give results on the phone, but with my experience if it were good news he wouldn't be rushing the appointment so I hope things are
OK, a...

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Scars

I had a very interesting chat with the plastic surgeon yesterday about scarring. She was called in by the EP to clean up my pocket and make it more comfortable, but since she was there she did the closing also.

She said it was closed up enough now (2 wks post op) that I can start putting lotion or whatever on it. I asked her what she recommended, she said "whatever you want!" She said keeping it moist- with whatever we choose to use- will make it feel better as it heals but will not...

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Thanks Everyone....

Thanks Everyone!!!!!!!!

Comment posted by Pookie on 2010-02-09 20:37.

(thought I should post it here as well to thank everyone)


There are no adjectives to describe how great I feel that soooooooo many members have wished me good luck.

Between this front page, my private messages, and my regular email...I think my computer might crash :)

It's like we're all family. I love it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'll...

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Cause

Does anyone know what causes electrical problems with the heart? Is it heredity? Diet? Injury? Shock? Spine problems?

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Pm surgery

I have my PM surgery tomorrow at 1pm. I have to be at the hospital at 10:00am because i have to get
a blood transfusion first because my platelets are low and dropping. I should get bone marrow results tomorrow but i wont get bone biopsy results for up to two weeks. I am hoping that the pacemaker will help my autoimmune problems some how. Maybe by getting enough oxygen and blood supply through my body it will work better. It deffinitly wont hurt anything. :))

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chest swelling

wondering if anyone has had any swelling in the middle of their chest between breast. Woke up this morning with a soft bulge between my breast called my cardiologist and he just made me an appointment for later in the week. It does have me worried have had my new pacemaker for 5 months and wires are 9 years old. appreciate any suggestions or help thanks

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warfarin friendly lotion? soap ?

hello out there in cyberland !
can anyone help me with what moisturizing lotion is most warfarin friendly ? how about laundry detergent? bar soap?
'found out i'm now very allergic to soap - 'covered in hives for a year ... 'felt like lice .... good to know it's not, but still unsure about what i can use with warfarin ...
thank you !
...................keep the faith
.................................................ruthy9

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STUCK!!

OK. It is officially 2 weeks since the eveready bunny became my cousin. I got a 2 lead PM on 1/25. I am 59 and ticking. The shoulder is finally starting to feel normal, which I realize is a mixed blessing because it is harder to remember to keep it down. Hubby said he was going to tie it down if he saw me raise it, which so far I have not. I really don't want anything to happen to those leads...I want them to stay put.
My question is how long do the steri strips stay on? I think t...

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Bone marrow biopsy

Just got back from the Hematologist; had my bone marrow biopsy done, and boy did it hurt. He had a hard time getting biopsy and had to jiggle it around. Thank GOD its over :) My blood platelets are down more so the prednisone not working. He has me set up tomorrow for a 4 hr vein infusion of Gamma Globulin.

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Occlusion

I just had a new BVICD implanted to replace the older 2 lead pacemaker. When the additional 2 leads were insatlled, they have caused an occlusion in the vien. My left arm turns a redish color when hanging down below my heart. I have had a doppler and vinograph which were negative for a clot but the occlusion is there by the leads. I have no pain in my arm or numbness. I am on warfarin. Has anyone else had this problem? Will it clear up overtime as the leads settle in? My doctor has told me that...

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Worried

I'm 28 years old. I've had four episodes where I passed out without warning over the course of several years. I've had every test known to man, and now have a surgically implanted heart monitor. My holter monitor showed my heart stoping for 2 and 3 second intervals during my sleep. Last week, I went to my cardiologist to have my monitor checked and it showed my heart had stopped for 7 seconds. He now says I have to get a pacemaker. I'm not scared of the procedure--I've had a number of operations...

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alternative to mri

I had been scheduled for a follow up mri this year but since i had my pacemaker inplanted this past October I know that can't be done.
Any other options? It's for a head/brain scan.
Thanks Finn

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Continuation

Hi,
Ok so here is the continuation of my saga between my doctors and me. I got a call from ym cardiologist this mornig and I missed his call because I was in the middle of dealing with a patient. He left a message telling me to call between 2-5. I did call at around 2:30 and his receptionist told me that he just went down to see a patient on the floor and he would call me when he gets back. I then called my G.P because I was concerned that he was calling me with bad news since at my last G....

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Strength Training Guidelines

You've probably heard this story before. I am an active 54 year old male who received a dual chamber pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome on 12/30/09. I am 5 weeks post-op and am anxious to return to some strength training. I have already returned to running 4 days per week, 5-7 miles per day without any problems. Prior to surgery my strength training routine included such exercises as dumbbell shoulder press, dumbbell bench press, pushups, chinups, pullups, dips, and overhead squats. My repetit...

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You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

Member Quotes

My ICD/pacer is not a burden. I still play tennis and golf.