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how long is long enough

May of 07 i had an ICD implanted on the left, it became infected so we moved it to the right, the lead began pacing my diaphram so yet another chest opening for me. July of 07 my lead became loose my device was counting my heartbeat double and so I was shocked 24 times in about thirty minutes.so another ICD was placed on the right, this device caused swelling ond redness in my arm and neck, once again my chest was opened up and yet another device was implanted on the left. I am 13 days post-op...

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Same symptoms came back...

I had a pm put in 4 months ago for syncope, waking up early am hrs w/ extreme nausea, dizziness and passed a couple of times. They found my heart was pausing up to 25 seconds that they recorded.
No more episodes until early this am...woke up very nauseus, lightheaded, felt confused, seemed very much the same as other episodes. Mabye my pm isn't working?
I'm going to try to get in tomorrow to get it checked (they only do so on fridays0
I have had some pvc's lately..can they cause N...

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pm and bra

Ladies with pacemakers - I am just two weeks with my pm and my bra straps hurt the site - does anyone have any ideas about my future bra wearing? For now, I cut the strap off just to get by. Thanks for info - Di

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Travel Insurance

Hi - I was able to get travel insurance when I had a pacemaker and enjoyed holidays overseas. Now I have a Medtronic Defibrillator and have been rejected when applying for travel insurance. Has anyone been successful in securing insurance - would love to hear from you - I want to go to Japan. Thanks, Richard

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Appointment!

Ok, well the doctor I saw today actually cared about me! So refreshing!!!! The first thing he said (well, besides greeting us) was (in my own words) "Well, your legs look mottled and your hands have a bluish tint. I am pretty sure you have Raynaud's Disease." I figured that out months ago! And then he said that my slow heavy heart beats may be caused due to a possibly ill - calibrated sleep mode on my pacer, which is programmed to go down to 50 b.p.m. So, he turned it off! I am still feeling the...

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ab lounge

Hi i have not been on in a long time, I am feeling much better than before and i am no longer depressed. I have started to exercise some. I currently rebound for 10 minutes a day(its the most i can handle) and really want to tone up my midsection. I am really thinking about buying the ab lounge.
My question is has anyone on here used the ab lounge and had any good results?
I dont want to waste money so i am really hoping some of you have used it and can give some reviews.... Thanks

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LVAD Questions...


Hello fellow pacers.

I just came from an appointment with my cardiologist. It seems that my heart failure is worsening and is nearing the critical point. He is suggesting the implantation of a Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD).

Does anyone out there currently have an LVAD? If so is it really improving your quality of life? If you had to do it over again would you? How was the surgery?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in adva...

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$225,000 for Defibrillator/Pacemaker -- Does this sound right???

Just found out from the insurance company's statement that my father's combination defibrillator/pacemaker costs $225,000! That seems outrageous to me!

He spent one night in the hospital after the surgery with no complications and there weren't any special circumstances.

Is the device and surgery really that expensive???

I would like to hear from you even if you don't have a defibrillator yourself but have an idea of how much it should cost for the surgery and/...

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still kickin'

I am 36 years old and on my 4th pacemaker/ICD. I got my first pacemaker when I was 19 years old. Now I have cardiomyopathy/heart failure. But without my pacemaker, I wouldn't alive. I am 100% paced, which basically means that if my pacemaker were to fail, I would die. It weighs heavily on my mind, but I try to get on with my daily routine. I am very thankful for everything I have. But after 17 years of dealing with electrophysiologist and cardiologist, it gets old! I am an old pro at thi...

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MP3 can interfere with devices!

Hi Everyone,

I just received this article from the American Heart Association



News Releases
MP3 headphones interfere with implantable defibrillators, pacemakers
Abstracts 662/Poster C67 (663/Poster C68, 651/Poster C56)
Abstract 662 will also be featured in a video news release and podcast

Study highlights:
• MP3 player headphones can cause potentially dangerous interactions with pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.
•...

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I AM SUCH A GENIUS!!!

Well, you already knew that, but I shall expound on that a bit. :)

1) I pack my lunch (so that way I know what I'm eating)
2) I prefer dark chocolate (IDK???)
And finally #3...
3) I had a theory and I just proved it true. My notion was that my episodes are (mostly) excercise induced; you see, I have to go up stairs @ school to get to my locker and pretty much every time I go up those stairs, my monitor starts to record automatically (which means it probably caught some...

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My Fishing Trip

While on my recent fishing trip in remote far north Queenslan(Cape York) I had 4 fainting spells over a period of 12 hours. The next morning I sat in the shade of a tree feeling sorry for myself while the other boys were out fishing. On their return they ask how I was feeling, I replied "no good". So we travelled back to the boat ramp where an ambulance was waiting for me. I was taken to the local medical clinic (ecg and blood test were done). I was flown to Cairns Base Hospital by the Royal Fly...

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Moving to England....anyone know a great cardiologist??

I think i'm moving to England in the next few months. I'll be close-ish to London, so more than happy to make to commute for a great specialist.

If anyone knows of one, preferably that deals with young patients, or patients of NCS, please pass on their details!!!

Thanks
Lyds

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Backpacks and PM's/ICD's

I asked this on another group, but might as well ask here.

A highschool friend has moved back into town and I'm looking at going for some outdoor activities.

I can't place much pressure on my left chest and I know a lot of larger Backpacks sit on your hips, so lacking the left strap might be easier for those.

Has anyone had experience with or found some implant friendly backpacks?

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Loose lead

I had a St Jude pacemaker fitted 8 weeks ago, one lead to top chamber other to ventrical, it was set at 60 beats and I was fine for 2 weeks then a few days before Easter the tiredness and feeling like something heavy sitting on my chest returned, at the clinic when the fitting is done they hand out leaflets saying any problem call this number, (surgeon who did the job) and talk to nurse, also same type of leaflet saying call hospital pacemaker clinic (where job was done ) and talk to nurse, so...

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Still getting used to the idea...

Hi - this is my first post. I had a Medtronic "adapta" dual chamber pacemaker fitted five days ago. I'd had shortness of breath and had been a bit lightheaded in the previous weeks but just put it down to working too hard.

I blacked out while driving with no warning. Somehow I managed to cross six lanes of traffic without hitting anyone else. The car smashed into a concrete barrier and was completely destroyed. I had to be cut out but thanks to lots of air bags got away with just some...

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just thought i would say hi to all

its me duane in nebraska just letting everone know that I'm still kicking a'int been on here in a awhile It's been over a year since I got my pacemaker and defib removed becuase of the bad wires that were recalled got it removed may 1 2008 check ups have been fine so far
Hope everone is fine that remenber me I need to get on here more but been pretty busy
just wish congress would hurry up and pass the law so i can go to court with the rest of the people who got shocked and we can...

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Son of 8 years struggling to do cross country running

My son of 7 years old has had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old (Congenital Heart Block). He had a replacement one in October last year. He is now in school and started to do cross counrty running. He is a very active child but when doing a 1km run struggles to keep up with the kids and comes last - says his chest hurts. Wondering if anyone has a child that runs and can offer some advice?

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15 weeks prego!

Well time seems to be going by like a little snail!! lol Its my first baby so I guess I didnt realize how long 9 months truly is! haha As some of you know I have a pm for a-fib and a rapid rate. I got my pm 01-17-2008. So its still kinda new. I mean okay maybe just a lil new. I also have a blood disorder. Which is called factor 5. (just causes me to throw blood clots alot) Anyway with all these health problems im just so LUCKY and BLESSED to get pregnant!! I do wonder about a couple of things. I...

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heart rate monitor

Hi, I am just a new member, my name is moira and I am 40 years old and I recently had a pacemaker fitted in dec 2008. I normally run marathons, and keep fit. I have started to run again which is great, I normally wear a heart rate monitor but the last couple of days my monitor has said my heart has gone up to 226 which I have never had before then it goes back to normal about 165 has anyone else experienced these problems or do you think it is interference from the pacemaker.

Thanks

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You know you're wired when...

Microwave ovens make you spark.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.