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Pacemaker info...

I was wondering if anyone knows if "lightening" that usually happens with a thunder storm interferes with pacemakers? My mother is the one with the pacemaker and that came just before her stroke! Her speech is what is impaired the worse so I can't ask her. I would appreiciate any help or info. on this topic...
Thanks!

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Gonna have mine replaced...

Hello, I'm a 25yr old female who has a pacemaker(100% dependent) and CHD. It was put in when I was 15 and now my battery is almost done. My surgery isn't planned to happen for another 3 months but there is so much going through my mind that I'm finding it hard to sleep now. All I really wish I could do is talk to someone who's been through this before and I can't find any phone support. I guess you could call me scared. I don't have insurance, I've tried for a medical card but haven't had any lu...

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Please enlighten me.

I had my second pacer generator implanted 3 weeks ago. I have been reading several postings mentioning that the generator is stitched into place, to prevent it from moving.
My previous pacer moved sideways, up and down, you name it! This one seems anchored quite well.
My question is: can someone please explain how the pacer is actually stitched into place? After all, it's a smooth object, hermetically sealed, with no visible holes to promote anchoring it with stitches.
Am I askin...

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Medtronic Adapta DR01

This is my second pacemaker. The first was Medtronic Kappa & it was perfect with right settings from the begining. It stopped working three weeks ago .I have Medtronic Adapta & have been tweaked twice & still not right.
I would like to hear from others that has Adapta & learn of their experiences.
Every once in a while I get a flutter & feel my heart beating on the left side. I never had that before with the Kappa.
Maybe the models have to many gagets to work like the other models...

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lead replacement of defibrillator

My new defibrillator has shocked me 3 x since Nov 28 -08 installation and not because I always needed it to correct my rhythm. Dr's think lead is in wrong location to read properly and am waiting for surgery to correct it. What am I to expect from this - anyone else have shocks that were by accident. Did new leads fix the problem. I'd rather lead a life thats not so shocking.
Cinderella

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Scared

Hi all! I am new to the club, but very encouraged by all of the support I have seen on the website! I need some help/advice. I am 29 and had a dual-chamber pacemaker put in 7 weeks ago. I had bradycardia and had fatigue/weakness and a few episodes pre-pacemaker. Now I am more tired, I have ten times more episodes now, I have the shakes, and most importantly I have had to pull over to the side of the highway going 70 miles an hour almost passing out with my 18 month old in the car!!!!!! I am scar...

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pacemaker has moved!!!

advice needed! I had my second pacemaker place 1/22/09. sent the next 7 weeks at dr appts b/c of incision infection, the stitches inside raising to the top thru my incision and needing to be pulled out multiple time. finally got the ok from dr and spent a blissful 2 weeks not going to the dr. All throughout I kept telling Doc it feels like pacer moving. He listened but said it was probably due to swelling etc.... and no cause for concern. NOW swelling is gone and pm is lower in my chest an...

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QOTW and SOME good news

Gooooood moooorrrnnning Pacemakerclub! I am FINALLY getting a second opinion from Inova Fairfax!!!! YEAH! Just maybe I'll get better... I just want to crash on the keyboard right now, it's bedtime @ 7:56 a.m. Oh yeah, I guess you might want the QOTW.

"Never ask me what I have said, or what I have written; but if you will ask me what my present opinions are, I will tell you."
...

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looking for lost pacemaker friend

Hi Friends,

This question is for Blake or anyone else who knows.

I met a wonderful pacemaker friend when I joined. She posted under the name of Gellia. Gellia was a Godsend to me with many words of wisdom.

I have been searching for her for months. Does anyone know what happened to Gellia? She was a regular, who answered almost daily to anyone who posted. Gellia was from New Jersey.

I'm hoping that she is well and someone in this club has heard fro...

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First check up down..

Hey all...just wanted everyone to know that I had my one-week check up today and things are looking good. I got the staples out (and almost passed out in the process), and my incision looks awesome...no swelling!!! All the tests looked good, and I was able to get my self-test time changed to 3am and my sleep mode adjusted a bit, so I can get a good nights sleep and hopefully sleep through the self test. I am currently using my PM 11% of the time - not bad in the grand scheme, but enough to ma...

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Tommorrow I get a new PM

The doctor said they were putting a three wire macemaker in , a St. Judes I do not know what model. I have never heard of the 3 wire but the doctor said it would give me more energy. Has anyone heard of this. my old one is a pacer it lasted me 1 month shy of 15 years. Keep me in your praters tommorrow to anyone who reads this as I a bit scared. Thank you gosh I love this site : ) Trisha

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Thankful

Hi, I just wanted to say how thankful I am to happen upon this site. I have found answers to so many questions by just using the search here. You are all so wonderful to share. I am new to this but you are helping me to adjust just by being here and sharing your experiences. I am 52yo and I feel so encouraged from reading your posts. Having a PM (4/16/09) is an adjustment but because of this site I am sure that I will adjust just fine. It helps to realize that others have had the same issues an...

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Feeling better than ever

Well folks, I think I am going to make it. I have overcome most of the flu symptoms. I still have the cough and the awful sore throat. The more I cough the more my throat hurts though. I just hope I don't pull a lead with the hacking cough.

I'd like to thank the many wonderful Pacemaker Club folks who sent me public and personal messages of encouragement and support. It has meant so much to me that you would take the time to show me your kindness. It was so very kind and really helped...

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on a positive note

Today my mom and I walked in the 10k Vancouver Sun Run - our 15th year - and it only took us 8 min. longer than the last one. Considering that 3 months ago, while waiting for my pm to be put in, I was thinking about all the things I would no longer be able to do - this is pretty darn good.
I just wanted to post one positive note after all the questions I've posted so far.

Ivana

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Pacer Complications

This is my first posting, and I'm not to sure how this works but I'm hoping to get feed back or just more knowledge on pacemakers work or have worked for other people. I have had my pacer since December of 2008. I am 40 years old and I have had a hard time with this, because it had really change everything that I do. I am used to doing everything and I have had to slow down because I dont have the energy for much, I keep having episodes and they cant seem to adjust it right...I'm just confused...

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marks from cardiac arrest

Hi, they had to shock me 8 times after I went into cardiac arrest. I now have these lovely marks on my chest. It has been about 2 months. Anybody know of any way to get rid of them? thanks for the help

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what causes slow recovery?

Hi,
I had a pacemaker implanted on February 26th. On January 30th prior to the pacemaker I had a non invasive back surgery called a percutaneous disk decompression resulting from disk injury following a car accident.
At any rate my recovery from the back surgery was pretty slow, but the recovery from the pacemaker even slower. It was 6 weeks this past Thursday and I am now no way ready to return to work.( I am a teacher) I still can't breathe when I walk very far and certainly not ups...

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Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is the big day. With the kind words you all have said I'm not as nervous. I'm just annoyed that they bumped it up to tomorrow and not Thursday!!! But when I'm able to logg on I will let you guys know how it went. I'm just glad they are putting me all the way asleep!

Thanks again,

Nikki

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lead moved before leaving hospital

Hi Everyone,
I am glad I found this site. I had my dual chamber PM placed 4/16/09 and on 4/17 was told the bottom lead had moved.
I was wondering if the second surgery will be worse since it will still be tender when they fix it. I was told they will call to let me know when they will correct this, it may be in a week or two.
They have turned off the current to the misplaced lead. I feel so much better now that my pulse is 60, it is hard to think about having to have another surg...

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Fluid build up

I read several people's questioning of the need to have fluid monitors. Fluid build up is a sign the heart ain't ticking too well..in fact the worse it works the more fluid you have and eventually you become short of breath, are tired, have no energy etc...sound familiar?
I take Aldactone for fluid retention rather than lasix. My monitor went off for the first time since September 2007...scared the s..t out of me...I think it is the fluid monitor because I have been short of breath lately.<...

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You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

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