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Guess I'm not the only Freak!

I have stopped counting at how many "good days" I have had lately! Its been that many! HOORAY (knock on wood of course).

I went to see a psychologist, to teach me strategies with how to move on and deal with the panic. She turned out to be a bit of a fruit cake really...trinkets all over the office, dream catchers, crazy hair...you know the type. One minute she was speaking all clinical then the next was "what's your sign?" REALLY?

As then session ended I asked for what I...

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What does a "rate responsive" PM do?

I had a "dual chamber rate responsive" PM from Medtronic installed Monday 14th December. My problem was low pulse, down to 7 seconds between heartbeats during my sleep, in combination with flutter.

The PM is programmed to keep my pulse above 60 bpm, and it seems to work just as intended. When my pulse drops slightly below 60 bpm, a correction occurs immediately, bringing the pulse back above 60 bpm. The doctor told me it gives my right atrium and my right ventrikkel a 0,5 volt stimul...

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PM adjusting and settings

Hi :) I was wondering if someone could please explain to me the settings on the PM...I am semi active person..when I first got my PM the upper was set at 130...okay so then when I went for my first PM checkup..I told the Dr that I was semi active and liked to walk and sometimes ride my bike..so he set the upper at 140 left the lower at 50...and the rate response was not on... so after I read some of these postings..I am confused on the settings...I understand the lower setting but am confused...

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5 weeks post op and still problems

Hi
I have been here almost every day since I got my PM, it is so good, that people can ask questions, and there are so many who will give answers. I have learned a lot, but I still have some question.
I have had my PM for 5 weeks now. Because of the holydays I have been recovering at home. This week I started back in job. My problems come when I walk fast and especially if it’s outside in frost.
I get palpitation, I have more extra strong beats, high-pressure in my left ear (w...

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pvcs and pacs after pacer placement

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to have pacs and pvcs after you have a pacer placed? I work night shifts and when I come home in the am I am exhausted. I do not sleep well during the day so for days I am a zombie.. I feel like my heart is pounding when I am trying to sleep and when I wake up I have "skipped beats" or palpitations and I though that when I got the pacer this would all quit?? I am only 2 weeks post op

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St Jude RF with Merlin@home? Requires landline tel

I am active on the forum today -- PM is going in tomorrow :)

I am getting a St Jude Anthem RF with a Merlin@home home station. The home station reads data from the PM nightly (or another time you are near the station), and using an old-fashioned telephone landline and modem, dials in the data the the merlin network, where it will be analyzed for any irregularities.

I was very excited to receive such new and advanced technology, but rather disappointed about the telephone la...

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pacemaker time???


I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy in December of 1996. But doctors stabilized me with medication, found my arteries were clear, and cardioverted me back to a normal heart rythym.
For 9 years I was in generally good health, walking regularly and feeling good mentally and physically, with only occasional dips into atrial fibrillation.Cardioversion always brought be back out.

But four years ago, I slipped into atial fib and cardioversion no longer worked. Since...

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ITCH

After having my pacemaker nearly 3 years ago, I often had a strong internal irritation/itchy sensation right where my pacemaker is sited below my collarbone left side. By turning over in bed or changing my position whilst sitting or standing it would ease off after time. However after 2 1/2 years the sensation has completely disappeared. Patience is a virtue maybe. But why? Cheers Peter

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I think it's moved

I had a pacemaker 10th November 2009 & I think it has moved up! Closer to my neck. Is this possible?

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adapting to PM

I am 62 years young. One month ago I needed a PM. Heart was not getting electrical signals needed.
I have been an active runner for over 30 years. Mostly for fun and to stay in shape, but also run one or two marathons a year. This past year was tough to run. Now I am back to running. Run mostly foothill trails around the Wenatchee valley, where I live. Have built up to about 1 hour in length. At times, feel stronger and more relaxed than others. Question, have any of you who are active runn...

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Getting a PM/Defib installed Thurs 1/14/10

Hi all, Just found this site. Getting wired up this coming week. I'm Hoping this will give Me some of My energy back. I've got CHF. Any advice or pitfalls I should watch out for? My device will be from Guidant. Thanks.

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Bigsalaz

I saw your shout about chat. It's really hit or miss and can be hard to find someone in chat. Best thing to do is post here when you are headed in and see if someone will join you, or set a time in advance and post about it. For a while a bunch of us chatted at lunch time (EST) every day, but we got out of the habit.

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Billie & Brian From Australia?

Has anyone heard from Billie and/or Brian since Brian's operation on Nov. 20 and Billie's "message" on Nov. 29th saying Brian was doing better after his operation?

Our prayers are with them, but I was wondering if any of the PM Club members have heard from them. Billie used to be on the PM Club "Messages/Comments" all the time last year.

God Bless to All ~ ~
Carolyn G. in TEXAS CONGRATS ALABAMA

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Skiing

Well, my titanium buddy and I went skiing for the first time yesterday. We had a blast! It is so great to feel good and be able to live life to its fullest. For all of you newbies out there wondering if life ever gets better...it does! Hang in there!

I have lived in snow most of my life and never tried skiing before. I think I just found my winter sport!

Peace & love,
ela-girl

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Pookie's Junctional Rhythm

Hi everyone.

My gawd my life is complicated sometimes.

Last week I wrote a post saying how difficult it is for me to get in to see my EP after he made some adjustments to my pacemaker on December 14 (because he did diagnosed me with Junctional Rhythm in September ).

I was never seen by an EP until September of this year, while I received my pacemaker back in November of 2004. 5 years it took me to get to see an EP. And, Yes, it took from September to December...

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Just had a clinic visit...

and had a huge breakthrough with my recurrent arrythmia post-PM!

Long story made extremely short, failed ablation led to PM in March due to AV node getting damaged. 100% paced ventricular, 60% atrial. Recurrent Sinus Tachycardia post PM implant.

I am going to get some of this terminology wrong, but my Sinus Tachycardia was popping up throughout the day (130 bpm), but I didn't feel it until I got home from work etc etc and my body started to relax. Then the episodes becam...

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Viagra

Question for the guys out there. Has anyone out there in pacerland been warned about the consumption of ED drugs. This is whether these are used just when needed by choice or taking on a daily basis as with some of the meds.

No heart issues here other than "electrical" issues that caused me to have to get a dual-chamber pacer.

Hey I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really want to know if this is an issue or not. For some reason every time I ask the guys with Me...

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Feeling a little better

Hi, I am now feeling more like myself again.... What an ordeal. I hate being sick. I am still waiting on one last test to come back to tell me why I was so sick. I have been left feeling very tired and I have lost almost 9 pounds now. I just need to be patient and strong.
My sense of humor has returned, much to my hubby's dismay he he.... Anyway I just wanted to share with you all that I am almost back 100%. Some of you worry and I appreciate that, but I am much better.
Thank you to...

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newby

hi everyone i am 2 months in with my new pm for pausing heart never new i had it till i went to er an was told i had double pnemonia i have to admitt my doc was great but you really need someone with you at your fist check up to listen for you cause i was so overwelmed with all what has happened i just dont focus on listening although there is a lot of things docs dont really tell you to expect for instead ive had these little panic attacks i feel pulling sometimes inthe area sometimes a stingi...

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had pacemaker defib less than 90 days

after kidney stone operation 2 meds caused massive heart attack and death revived and one stint 3 strokes next 30 days all in 2007. 2008 brought blackouts and seizures and 20 hospital stays, chemically coated stint became 65% blocked with scar tissue and seizures on cath table stopped repairs. 2009 brought more blackouts and seizures finally given amiodorne and controlled them long enough to get new stints 3 of them oct.2009 then nov.2009 pacemaker/defib. Questions: since implant much pain at...

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You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker is intact and working great.