Most Recent Messages

Less PVC's after PM Surgery and Collateral Damage

Good morning PM Gods and Goddesses,

Before my PM implant surgery, I had some pretty nasty and frequent PVC's for ~4 years. The PVC's thumped hard, and made me catch my breath. I received my PM 8 months ago, and from the moment I got out of surgery, the PVC's were 75% fewer and 75% less forceful. Frankly, I'm loving it, but it makes me go "Hmmmmm..."

Even after my PM was removed, same. PVC's much better. 8 months later, still the same. Instead of a hard thump, I just get a m...

Read More...

EECP

Hey Folks,

Any of you had EECP treatment. I am to undergo this in one or two weeks (or as soon as they can get me scheduled for the treatment).

In case any of you are like and your first question is what it that, below is a small portion of the blurb I have on this procedure.

Thanks,

Smitty



What is EECP?

1. EECP is a mechanical procedure in which long inflatable cuffs (like blood pressure cuffs) are wrapped aroun...

Read More...

how to change email address

Hi,

I need to update my email address, but ebery time I enter it in the 'manage account' details and hit the update button, it returns to my previos email.

Any ideas on what I am doing wrong?

Cheers

Simon.

Read More...

Rawr!!!

Can I get anything right this week?!?! Sorry about my QOTW, here's a better one.

"An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes."
- Thomas Jefferson

I LOOVVEE T.J. He founded UVa! Greatness! Anyway, thought you guys would like that one. :)

P.S. My chest pain was so severe today that I actually started crying! :( WHAT in the world is wrong???? No one can find anything, but I find it funny that they d...

Read More...

And Now I Have A Dangerous Staph Infection!!!

Since late September, I've suffered almost unending fevers with violent shaking chills little different from convulsions.

After repeated hospitalizations, it's been determined that it's a staphylococcus lugdunensis infection of the old pacemaker lead [which was left in place].

I understand that this is serious enough to cause endocarditis, which can have fatal consequences.

I have been put on a portable vancomycin drip until it can be removed.

I've nev...

Read More...

Pacemaker Site Repair

After two months of No PM on my left side after three replacements now I have new leads and PM on my right side. There was a lot of scar tissue and a puffy pouch from irritation which was partially repaired when my PM was removed. There were also questions as to Alergy, Infection or Irritation as the site showed erosion.

The operation removal of PM leaving the leads in still left the infection question. Tests showed negative. Now after a couple of months and an AF episode anothe...

Read More...

A joke for Loopy

One day a blonde went out to check her mail box. Five minutes later she does this process again ... she does this five different times. The last time she did it her neighbour who was looking at this through the window commented, 'You must have something very important coming .. the way you keep checking your mailbox that way. Then the blond says no I'm working on my computer and it keeps saying that I've got mail.

LOL! For some reason, I thought of you when I read this.......'cause y...

Read More...

Loopy Learns a Lesson!

Hello Pacer Chicks and Pacer Guys!

Thanks so much for your emails, texts etc..... nice to know you are all there for me and 'persuaded' me to go and get checked......

Here is the lesson.......... if you are feeling a bit rough, go get it checked! here ends the lesson!!

Right, went to see pacing tech guy and cardiologist - which has resulted in me having to take beta-blockers! ERYUCK!!

I have had a few tachy episodes and a dodgy experience the other...

Read More...

12 days with a PM (diagnosed with Sycope)

I am learning to live with this object inside of me. I call it my back up generator. The first couple of days were hard. I feel very helpless my little boy (7 months old) just looks at me and cries to be held. Oh it just breaks my heart. I get down on the floor with him and play and I think it makes it a little better for him. My husband a god sent is very supportive. He is taking care of our baby and me. : ) I don't know what I would do with out the support of my husband.
I have noticed m...

Read More...

Sore from Bra Strap rubbing

Hello ladies,
I am 8 weeks post pacemaker. One of my problems is that the surgery scar and surrounding area is so sore to the touch. It looks fine, no infection but so sore. I wanted to pass on something that has helped me.
Cut a strip of soft polar fleece fabric and wrap it around your bra strap. It helps with rubbing and pads it a bit. I found that the wooly thing I bought for my car seat belt was to thick and actually hurt more as it pushed into the scar. This fleece lays fla...

Read More...

returning to running

I had a pacemaker implanted in August, 2008. I was out running two days later, though with my arm held securely to my side to precent the leads from becoming displaced. I also was on the operating table three times for a cardio ablation, of which only the third was successful in keeping me out of arrythmia (I was pacing 100-220 all the time for 2 weeks).
Two weeks after my final ablation (and with my pacemaker) I ran a 5K road race and placed third in my age group.
Last Saturday, a d...

Read More...

Need your prays

Hello everyone:
Just wanted to update you all on my month of pure h......
I last was here 1-19-09. Sorry it took so long. But I have been so sick, didn"t have the strength & so weak. Was sick 3 weeks before I
was addmitted to the hospital. My hubby had to help me off the couch & help me get around the house.I was so strong, all my life, this thing really worried. Any way I was taken to ER. There they didn't know what was wrong, there they took so many blood samples, think that my...

Read More...

Left Shoulder

I just got a pacemaker a week ago. I have my left arm in a sling and have been told to keep it below shoulder level for a month. A friend said there is a danger of the shoulder freezing up which is painful. Does anyone have any advice, exercises to keep the shoulder moving without endangering the leads? Thanks

Read More...

Need Help!!

Dear Folks,
Last time I asked about GERD and Endoscopy. I would like to thanks to everybody who has response.

But just yesterday when I met with Internist and did Ultrasound, founded multiple stones on my Gladbladder (size vary up to 7,4mm). Internist suggested remove Gladbladder soon to avoid any complication.

My question are
1. Does anyone here has experience with Gladbladder removal?
2. What is negative side effect (quality of life) if we don't have gladbl...

Read More...

Batteries

I don't know about ya'll but I'm glad that my device runs on a battery.
Can you imagine having to wind yourself up everyday?

Read More...

AAAHHH!!!

OHHH NOOO! I forgot the quote yesterday!! Ok, since I am self - centered (not really) and I need a aquick quote, here's another one of my inventions:

"You can't rush perfection; unless you're a heart surgeon."

Perfect for us, right??? Have a great day!!!!

Read More...

Not feeling so good :(

Hey guys - hope you are all well.

I'm not so good........... was sat down watching t.v. yesterday and had this wierd feeling from my waist up to my head.... it was almost like being dizzy but sitting down?? And no, I wasn't watching a George Clooney movie!

Last night, didn't sleep well. Kids are on holiday so I wanted to sleep in! ha ha! fat chance..... I kept getting these awful feelings in my chest.... (a bit like a horse galloping over me! - not that I know what th...

Read More...

Czech Republic - to JanaV

Ahoj JanaV,

jak se vede? Ja jsem Misa a jsem z Opavy.

Napiš, prosíííím!

Read More...

Radiofrequency ablation and devices

Obviously we're all here because we have or know someone with a pacemaker or ICD.
My question:
Anyone out there have a previously implanted device and endured radiofrequency ablation afterwards.
I know the statistics on ablations, but don't know many who've had devices already implanted at the time of the ablation. I'm concerned about the safety of my pacemaker hardware and whether or not RF energy has any possible damaging effects to it.
I'm not completely sold on what my do...

Read More...

Chat

anyone up for chat

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.