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New PM

Howdy All,
New to board,just had PM implanted on 4/24/09.Don't have any earth shattering news,go back to Surgeon on Monday for initial follow up.Will be checking back for info and ?'s from you guys who have had these (MACHINES) for a while.

Bill

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Implant

I am scheduled to get my implant in a week, and even though my doctor and I have discussed this eventuality for months, now that the time has arrived I find that I’m poorly prepared for what is to come. Perhaps it’s just anxiety but in thinking about this surgery I realized that I have dozens of questions that are keeping me awake at night, tossing and turning with worry. None of my friends have an implant, so they can’t relate or provide good information to allay my fears, so I’m hoping some of...

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Here we go again

Went into a-fib yesterday morning, finally went back to normal 22 hours just a couple hours after telling the docs and them asking me to come in for a cardioversion (went back to normal before that). Now, was out of a-fib for about 8 hours and went back into a-fib and have been for about 2 hours now. Chest is killing me and having trouble breathing. I now have a new appt with my EP next week to talk about trying an ablation. Nurse said they would probably put me on warfarin in preparation to...

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Replacement

I know I've only just had my pacemaker fitted, but a friend of mine asked me recently if I'd have to stay overnight in hospital every time I have the battery/leads replaced? I've tried searching but can't find the answer.

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hmmmm....

hi all! i went to my doctor yesterday and they found i had some noise or static on one of my leads last month. what does that mean exactly?

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Blake!

OOH! Blake! like what you did with the new look!!

My 2 partners in crime have been having a giggle at my expense(!) seeing how long it took me to notice!! lol! Bless em!

Great job! xxxxxxxxx

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About Nagging...

When you post 'go nag' nag some more; keep nagging, etc; are seeing the Dr. more than 1 time in 3 months?

My insurance dictated that I could not see the cardiologist (insurance would not pay for the visit) until 3 months after the pm surgery.

At the 3 month appointment, there were problems and I was told to come back in 6 months. At that point, I may be able to start dialing in for the pm interrogation and see the Dr 1 time a year.

Are you seeing (nagging) the...

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Getting high in Durango Co

Well the past few days I tested out my new pm at over 11000 ft. Had to walk slow in steeper trail areas because of the thin air, but heart rate was usually barely above 90 except in really vertical and rough terrain. Back down to the Santa Fe area until Sunday, then back to Florida Sunday evening. Hope we can all avoid the piggy flu. Wash your hands!

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sitting in the sun

Hi I have a question...I have had 2 pacemakers since 2001..I am 65 and have always enjoyed the hot weather ...sitting out and reading or going to the beach...but just lately the hot sun makes my heart feel like it is beating very hard...is this because of the pacemaker...or my age (lol) as seems to be the doctors answer for everything...was wondering if anyone else has experience this sensation

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Winkeyboc.....

I've just got to comment on your name......now that's classy, and creative.
I never understood why they have such difficult terms to describe EKG abnormalities, and that one especially has always fascinated me, because it's SO good it's got TWO names.....Wenckebach and Mobitz type 1.
Why don't they just call it winky-block? I don't know about you, but everytime I hear Wenckebach, I'm reminded of Stars Wars for some reason. I don't know why that is exactly.....

Anyways, crea...

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adoption

I am 33 yrs old and had my pacemaker implanted a year ago. My husband and I are looking into adoption specifically from Korea. We have heard that some countries are strict when it comes to parents having medical issues. I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this subject.

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who's in chat now

Did you notice under Who's Online, it now says Who's in Chat Now? (has that been there months and I didn't notice???) Thanks, Blake!!!!

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Irritation & Change off meds...

It has been a short while since I posted. I have been frustrated with an eczema like rash right over my pm site. My G.P. gave me some hydrocortisone but in using it, it seems less angry but happening over a larger area. Has anyone experienced similar rashes over their pm site??

I was reading on previous posts of other's experience with betablocker meds and asked my Dr. to try an experiment. We are weaning me off of the Metoprolol (I was on the very lowest dose anyway) to see if my...

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hot flash/perspiration/sweating

This happened to me yesterday mid afternoon. Have had a pacemaker since 2001, am a 64 year old man in generally robust health. So I was doing light office work in an airconditioned building when I was overcome with what I can only describe as the male equivalent of a hot flash. I didn't feel feverish; it came on very quickly - during maybe 5 seconds, I experienced the rush of heat followed by a soaking sweat from mt head to my torso. The whole sweat lasted about 15 minutes and I was drenched

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How is my life going to change?

Any one out there who loves to stay in shape and who has had a pacemaker implanted for a while. Hows your exercise routine different from before and whats the pros and cons of the pacemaker and exercising(yoga,weight lifting,running,dancing and jumping on a trampoline). I'm young 24yrs. old and just had my pm implanted 03/26/09 and am very active and have a whole life ahead of me. So if theres anybody out there who love to share info. with me please do i'd love to hear some wisdom and get some u...

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Min heart rate setting

With my first pacemaker, 1997 Medtronic I had a resting pulse of 80 and no problems for 9 years until I needed a new battery in 2006. Got a St Jude and now my resting pulse is around 62. Here's my problem, I frequently have episodes of what I call pulse pauses, pauses happen 4 to 6 times a minute, where the next pulse is a bit late, but immediately returns to normal again for awhile until the next pause. This is very annoying and quite uncomfortable and goes on for many hours. Seems to me if my...

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Bradycardia/Tachycardia & drugs

I am a 57 YO male. pretty good shape. I have had a Kappa 700 series dual lead PM since 2000. It ios due for a change now, but thats another story.
It seems that I have developed Tachycardia over the last year or more. My pulse before the PM was in the low 40's, now with the PM its 60bpm. Lately my pulse hase been jumping to 130 and then some. My Dr. put me on Verapamil (Calcium blocker)and Digoxin. I can't deal with toporal or other beta blockers. Now I am finding myself more out of brea...

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Shortness of breath

I have had my PM for four weeks and am experiencing shortness of breath. I feel as if I have run three miles instead of simply walking up the stairs or doing yard work. I also get this feeling at times when I get up or when I am bending dow to pick something up. I was told that I would feel so much better after getting my PM and so far I do not feel better; I have less energy than before and this shortness of breath is bothersome. Has anyone had similiar feelings? Am I just impatient?

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allergic reaction???

hi. i'm 2 weeks and 4 days out from the dual pacer implantation. (a lot of crap had to happen to get the medical attention i needed.) anyway... the other night i got a sharp stabbing pain in the pocket with the pacer. i wanted to rip it out of me (still do). i called the dr. and they said that it was nothing to worry about, but if the pain was still as bad i was to go to er in the am. so went and they said that i am probably having an allergic reaction to the metal of the device. they said that...

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Thank you note from Nina Nash

A few weeks ago, I wrote Nina Nash, wife of Peter who recently passed away. The letter was to express my personal sympathy, as well as including messages from other members that were posted on the site.

Here is a copy of her reply message.

"I am Nina, wife of Peter Nash. I would just like to thank you for your very kind letter. I apologise for not writing sooner but it has been very hard coping without Peter. He was my life and now I feel numb by his loss.

Coul...

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You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.