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Doc just added A-Fib to my list

Got to see my doc again today for my last post op checkup and besides my SSS/Bradycardia diagnosis he added occassional A-Fib to my list. Seems that the pacer is picking up short (less than a minute) episodes of A-Fib. He said this ties directly back to my SSS (Sick Sinus Syndrome) issue and right now it is not something I should be worried about although he did say I HAVE to keep with my 81 mg aspirin that I have been taking for about 10 years now. He said because I have few symptoms (just a...

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Tachycardia while exercising

PM is about 3 months old. Saturday I was on elliptical at gym and 1st 15 min or so I had what I call tachycardia - hard, heavy palpitations. This has never happened to me while exercising nor for this amount of time. It started when I began using the arm part of the machine but continued whether I was using arms or just resting them. I did not feel pain. Kept going so I could see my heart rate. 1st reading was 144 then it went to 169. I stopped after that. Any clues what might have been...

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Carolyn65

I was doing a "Comment" to "Post Message" from "Quemal re: his first visit to his Dr. after his PM implant and what he should expect. I, the worrier, became long winded as usual in my comment, then decided this should be my problem/question and should be to the PM Club members who have experienced my "dilemma". I feel like this is how my implant went after reading Quemal's similar "story". I need your input PM friends.

I went into the Heart Hospital of Austin on a scheduled Friday...

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Life Insurance

My life insurance policy that I had pre-PM, will expire in two years. I tried to renew my policy early, but it was denied for medical reasons. Since then, I have applied to other insurance companies, and I have been denied by them as well. Does anyone know of insurance companies that will insure middle age individuals with a PM because of afib?

Stu

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Blood pressure and meds

I have been on Coreg Cr after my pacemaker two years ago. It is suppose to be the "magic pill" that takes card of both heart and blood pressure. I still have early morning hypertension and then goes to good readings unless under stress. Has anyone else had to combine another med with Coreg Cr to help with the bp without feeling too tired. I have to ask dr. this week, but would like other experiences with this med. Thanks for any help..... aldeer

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First check

Well, tomorrow is my first "Device Check". I'm not sure what to expect.

I had my device implanted on 7/17/09. It was implanted on a emergency basis. The only time I talked to the cardiologist was during the pre-op consultation. He was more interested in getting his weekend started than informing me about the procedure. Since then the only people I saw were his minions.

Any advice would me appreciated.

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Fear...

Hi all... I have posted a few times on here and have been so happy to have the support, but we are really struggling with wrapping our arms around this. My husband, 42, just got a PM last week after a Maze procedure for afib after failed meds and ablations. It had gotten totally out of hand over the last couple of years and his heart was going nuts every single day.

We knew there was a chance of the PM, but didn't really consider that it could happen. But, after the third degree blo...

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after check up

Hi Pacers,
Well, my battery is about to run out. I have been told I need to have my pacemaker replace soon. I'm a bit nervous about it but everyone says there is nothing to it. I do have a concern. The last time I had it checked, when the tech turned it down,WOE, I about went off the chair. She didn't warn me first and I wasn't ready for it and I think she turned it down farther than it has been before. Any way, it seems like it took about a week to get over it. I was tired, short of...

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edema and heart rate

My husband had his pacemaker procedure on Sept 3. He was taking meds for afib and his heart was only beating in the high 30s..the first 2 weeks every thing was great..then the edema came back..We have been back and forth to drs. and his lasix was increased to 40 mg. twice daily..then 5 mg of lisinapril was added..now on yesterday he fainted and when I checked his vitals he had a low blood pressure..not dangerously low but lower than normal..but his pulse was 116..he had been consistantly at 70....

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First annual check up!!

Hi everyone!! Ive been pacing for 51 weeks and 2 days now and have my first annual check up tomorrow. I'm a teeny bit nervous and will be glad when its all over, but just want to tell all the new pacers that I feel great, and want to thank lots of people on the site, far more than I can list, for all the help, support and understanding that you have given me in this my first year. Very tired today, nothing to do with pacemaker, had a big 60th birthday bash for my cousin last night, and was dan...

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Ipod interference

Hi pacer friends,
Just had to share this one...
I recently purchased an ipod and I had it in my pocket(away from the pacemaker). Had the earbuds in. It must have bumped against something as I moved about because it shut itself off. I reached in and pressed the on button. Felt a jolt to my system like I never experienced before. It was really frighteneing. All I remember was hoping I could call 911 before I collapsed. I quickly tossed the ipod on the desk and moved away.
Had che...

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Pacemaker moving

Ok, I have seen a number of posts about the pacemaker moving to under the arm or in the armpit and such, however, it appears that my pacemaker has moved, not to the side, but up. Now, just out of curiosity, what the heck do they do about these type of things? Is it best to just leave it alone, or is it something that they need to go in to fix? Sorry, just feels real awkward where it is now.

Also, the acupuncture has been working wonders!! I have come close to passing out only once...

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One of the lucky ones.

As I read everybody's messages, I feel so lucky. I have had my ups and downs with surgeries. I have had 21 so far. Getting my PM at the tender age of seven because they severed my internal pacemaker in my heart as they were fixing my holes. Besides the extra hardware inside of me I am one of the lucky ones. Never had any problems with any of my PM. I am on my fourth one. The last time they moved my PM from my stomach area to my shoulder. I asked them to move it. For my peace of mind whe...

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Thanks Guys

Made it through last night and things seem better today. After going to the restroom and peeing a bunch about 4 times I gave in and took 1/2 zanax (had not done that in a long time) I finally got some sleep and slept in a bit. Took the dog for a mile and a half walk this morning but have not eaten yet. The episode reminded me of the many a-fib nights I had to fight through. I am totally ablated and PM dependent but I guess the Ventricles don't need that for pvcs. I went to the urologist yesterd...

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ICD erosion

Has anyone had this happen to them. My ICD was put in 4 yrs ago. Turns out I had one of the Medtronic wires that was recalled and it started to fracture. May 5th this yr I had a new wire put in. I have been complaining that something is not right from week 4 post op. Six months later I made another appt. with the surgeon who then confirmed that everything was not alright and told me that the skin by the new ICD was eroding. This only happens 1% of the time. Now I am waiting for the date of my ne...

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Itchy arms??

Sounds kinda weird but I had my PM put in Sept /08 and a few days after that I developed frozen shoulder on my right side, PM put in on the left side. Well m,y arm is finalyy getting a bit better almost full movement now with exception of the strength is still not fully there and still have alot of muscle atrophy. But I have also been experiencing really itchy arms almost like the skin or muscles are itchy?? Anybody ever heard of that happening or do you think it may be unrelated??
Thanks...

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For tcrabtree85

Happy Birthday Tammy....or happy belated birthday as I see it was yesterday.
Glad to hear the Dr.. is still following up & trying to find a solution for your pain. Good things are ahead for you.

Keep the faith,
shirley

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pacemaker

My husaband had had a hip replacement, brain operation after being beaten 38x in thehead with a steal baseball bat.(They did not think he would wake up after surgery). He was awaiting back surgery & the police picked him up on suspicion of bank robbery, running a& jumping 8 ft. fence.(totally incapable). I called the institution & told them he is on 800 mg. of morphine a day if you cut him off he has several aneurysms(sitting in several places),he'll have a heart attack, aneurysm or die. He had...

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Pacemaker Surgery Left Lead Read

I am almost 81 years old. I recently had pacemaker surgery that took longer than expected. The doctor said it usually takes 1-3 times to get a good read on the left ventricle, but it took him 25 times. He said it was very tricky to get a read. Is this because of my age?

I feel nauseous all over. I can't find anything on the internet to explain to me what it really means when it takes 25 times to get a read. I'm assuming it does not mean anything, but I would like to put my mind to res...

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Palpatations/PVCs

It is after midnight and I have been experienceing skipped beats and pauses (pvcs I guess) since 9:30. They scare the crap out of me when they are severe. When I get them this bad they are accompanied by bloating, burping and gas. When you tell the Doctors this they seem to think it is not inportant but there is some kind of connection. It has been a stressful day and I was at the local coffee shop listening to live music. I drank a cup of hot tea, a very sweet glass of lemonade and ate a couple...

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