Most Recent Messages

Airport Security

I'm taking my first flight tomorrow morning since getting my ICD in November.

Can I go through the regular walk-through security screening? Do I alert them to the fact I have an ICD first, and show my card? Or is it better to just ask for a hand search right off the bat and avoid all the hubbub?

Melissa

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After sugery complications

1 had a pacemaker inserted 3 days ago and am still in pain. Even tho' I had to have it redone the next day. Not the pain on the insertion site but I have pain in my back and chest and find it hard to breathe deeply. I feel that I have palpatations also.

I was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms after their op? I have to say I am a little worried about it but would feel a nuisance calling the hospital as I was only discharged yesterday. Can you help?

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February 25th - The Big Day

Well, it's confirmed, my doctor, cardiologist and EP all agree I need a pacemaker due to my heart block. I'm having and echocardiogram on Saturday just to find out what kind of pacer I will need. I'll be counting the days and staying connected on here and reading all the posts. I just find it hard to believe my EP told me I could probably return to work (although I go to school) in 48 hours. 48 hours!! I can't imagine that. Doesn't the soreness last longer than that? How am I supposed to...

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Update from G.P

Hi everyone,
Saw my G.P today and essentialy she was upset and confused like I was that they cancelled the appointment with the EP and yet not follow up with cardiology. I have this event recorder and no follow up with cardiology. She was upset since she is a G.P and can't totally read an EKG except to be able to tell what type of rhythm I'm in. She did get the report from the hospital and according to her it has shown some a-fib and SVT and my usual bradycardia, but sometimes really slow s...

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Low blood platelets

I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with low blood platelets? Could this be caused from lack of proper blood flow through out my body? Once I get my pacemaker I was wondering if that will help my body produce them better. They couldn't do my surgery yesterday because my platelet count was too low. The hematologist gave me prednizon- dont know how to spell it lol but has any one else taken this steroid? I was also wondering what a typical base-line for the pacemaker could be. For exam...

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lead turned off

Had my pacer checked yesterday and they informed me that the upper lead had been turned off., apparantly there was some static or noise that was there the last time I had it checked.
So, they took the liberty of disabling it.
This information was from the pacer dept. dr.

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and have had two myomectomies. My rhytymns are fine now, its more of a preventative measure and I keep a low pulse of around 60.

How critical is it for that le...

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Atenolol

Does anyone have any experience with Atenolol 25mg for tachacardia?

Took my first pill today, felt a little tired but I was really trying to take it easy so not really sure if I was in lazy mode all day or if it was the meds.

I took a nap and had some crazy wild dreams. Not sure if that was the med though.

It must be working because I have been running "slower" all day.
Thanks,
Wendy

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sick sinus syndrome problems

Anyone out there with sick sinus syndrome? It took them 8 yrs. to diagnose me, have had my pacer for 5 yrs. and doing fairly well but the bad days are really bad and lately the fatigue is really getting to me. I can't seem to get enough sleep the last few days. I'm sleeping sometimes for 12 hours and am still forcing myself to get out of bed and this isn't like me. Just want to know if others have this same problem at times. Thanks

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Hopital tests

I just got back from the Hospital. They did nuclear imaging of my spleen and liver. They will send the results to the hematologist to read the results. Tomorrow I am going to see him and he will go over my blood tests and spleen/liver checks with me. He is also going to check my platelet count again to see If the meds help to increase my platelets. If not then I will have to get a blood transfusion right before surgery. My PM surgery will be scheduled tomorrow for next week. My concern is if th...

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THE most stupidest question....

I might even win an award for this one!!! :)

I have NEVER exercised in my life. I am almost 48.

However, now that I have this torn rotator cuff issue, I have to do some exercises. I went yesterday to learn some. I must admit it was fun. However, I'm amazed at what little I did, boy oh boy, am I sore today. (Yes, I'm using ice)

Anyways...what I have to do is some very basic exercises using these rather long rubber ropes. But my question is: my pacer is on...

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Here at hospital

Im here at hospital on my i phone they just
took my ekg blood and blood pressure i almost passed out
my blood pressure droppes to 80/59 and i started blacking out it still low and i fuzzy cant wait to get this
thing in and feel better thank god for drs

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florida

we started out sat. a.m. and my brother was not feeling good. he continued to feel poorly in tennessee and so we headed back home. i drove all night on 1-75 and made it home at nine thirty sun a.m. he still isn't well so i cancellled. was really looking forward to the trip and so was he but these things happen. now i know how to drive 1-75 in the dead of night . lol just keeping you up to date on my crazy life jessie

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Still Helping Others

I was just sitting here feeling a little blue and I began to think well, isn't that something. It has been a rough year for me already. It's only Feb. 3rd and I have been hospitalized twice and feel like &*(%$! Poor little me.....

So I went to the member list and pulled up some messages from some very special people. DairyPrincess and Peter.Nash. I selected their last posting to read again. I found that even till the end they were positive and happy. They were encouraging and so thou...

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Time off

Hi All, this is my 1st post. Still in shock from my experience.
I have just had my pacemaker fitted on Monday, how long am I likely to be off work (office based).
I only went to the doctors last Thursday with a chest infection and mentioned I had been having headache's, when he took my pulse he found it to be very slow (45bpm) and sent me for an ECG, they said ECG was very active and I needed to wear a trace monitor for 24 hrs, I returned this the next afternoon. At 4.45 had a phone ca...

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chinese food -msg

this may sound really stupid but i had chinese food on sat night an right after i had a bad panic attack does anyone think the msg trigger something off .or am i out of my mine . or should i just relize that panic attack come along with the program lol
Patsy

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Surgery this morning

Hey there, my surgery is this morning at 11am. I have to be to the hospital at 9am. I did not sleep at all last night and I am so tired. I may fall asleep before they give me the I.V of goodies; lol. I am definitely nervous but I am trying to stay positive. I know will all be ok; still I am nervous as this is my first surgery. This no drinking or eating after midnight is no fun; I am so thirsty; I'm a big water drinker. I understand why no food, but I do not get the no water because water passes...

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surgery post-poned

The hematologist took a bunch of blood and tomorrow i have to get spleen pancreas and liver checked through some radioactive test. He gave me some type steroids and supplement type stuff for Mal nutrition in order to help boost platelets. I go Friday back to the hospital to review all tests and have another blood test and if platelets still down I'll have to get blood transfusion in order to do my PM surgery.

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confused

I'm about to agree to a pacemaker implant. Terrified I will have to give up my running which will make me a bear to get along with ..... But my resting rate of 38 and frequent several-day-long arrhythmias (a-fibs) have me nervous, as well. Glad to find a forum. Howard

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What should I ask before hand?

I did call today and they told me the brand is Metronic?? She also said that it hasnt been recalled lately??? She did not know whether it was a 2 or 3 wire. They did say it would go under the breast tissue and the scar will be almost in my armpit. She also said once I've done the 30 day interrigation, I can get a local hospital rep to start doing them.

I just still feel like I'm not asking the right questions. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks
Andrea

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Tomorrow's the Day

Well had my appointment with the specialist today and I definitely need the pacemaker. He didn't want me to wait too much longer since I have been feeling pretty awful the last few days. I am scheduled tomorrow at 1:30 and will actually take my first taxi ride in years to get there tomorrow morning.

My sister drove us home from the appointment today because the doc didn't want me behind the wheel of the car. My sister hasn't driven since her hip surgery in 2004. We were trying to thin...

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You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

Member Quotes

I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.